THE " TIMES "-PARNELL COMMISSION.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 309, 20 October 1888, Page 3

THE " TIMES "-PARNELL COMMISSION.

The special judicial commission for the investigation of the "Times'' charges against Parnell and other leaders of the Irish party met on September 17th in London. Judge Hannen presided. The small and gloomy Court-room was crowded to suffocation. There were upwards of 200 reporters present. Judge Hannen announced that the inquiry would be confined to the persons accused, and the charges and allegations made in the O'Donnell trial. It was decided the "Times" should begin the proceedings. The gi.*t of that journal's case is given in a conversation with Grahame, of counsel, and Judge Hannen. "Do you propose," asked the judge, "to substantiate any of the charges?" "We propose," answered the lawyer, "to give you all the information we caa." The judge repeated the same question and got the same answer. He asked ie a third time, and Graham said : "I propose to lay before you all the information we have, which, we believe, will tend to substantiate the charges and allegations that have been made." Hannen: "Which charges?" Grahame : " That I cannot tell. I am not in a position to tell your lordship ; but 1 shall lay before you such evidence as ws can. We do not make charges against any particular person ; but we say the entire Irish organisation has been acting in this way." Sir Charles Russell, who acted for Mr Parnell, made application for photographs of the letters alleged to haveiaeen written by his client, and it was granted. Russell further asked bhe Commissioners to send a Commission to America to take evidence. He next requested Dillons release, that he might be enabled to prepare his evidence. Referring to the documents said to be in the hands ot the " Times," he said he particularly wished to see the Egan - Harris letter, which he pronounced a forgery. The " Times " attorneys said they were willing to produce all the " letters in their possession, but objected to an order for the discovery of documents. Russell insisted that the case should not proceed until the Commission decided the question as to the production of all documents in possession of the " Times." Judge Hannen asked, assuming that the Commission thought they had jurisdiction to order the discovery of the documents, what restrictions Russell would claim. Sir Charles stated he wanted to know if the " Times " charged Parnell or his associates with complicity in the Phoenix Park murders. Grahame replied that the " Times " would produce evidence to substantiate all the charges made in the articles on " Parnellism and Crime." The order of discovery asked for by Russell was granted. The Court thought that the details against the persons accused by the " Times " ought to be given ; the inquiry by the Court' would be thorough, and followed to the end. Russell's application for a commission to examine Patrick Egan in the United States was refused ; but if he testified in England he would receive a certificate of indemnity. Dillon was released on September 18th, but will not appear at the public sitting of the Court. An order was given for the inspection of bankers' books belonging to the National League, after which the Commission decided to ad-