IRISH AFFAIRS.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 368, 15 May 1889, Page 5

IRISH AFFAIRS.

«. London, May 8. &{r Parnkll's cross-examination was continued befoie the Commibsion to-day. He agreed to produce his secretary's (Mr Campbells) shorthand notes of letters dictated to him. Sir R. Webster stated that the witness's cheques °howed that payments had been made to McCafirey andCurley, Invincibles, and other suspect* confined in Kilmainham Gaol. Parneli explains that these payments were made before the suspects were charged with any oQ'ence, and rebuked his counsel, Sir Chas. Russell, for not seeing that all the documents bearing on the point were produced. His further cross-examination was adjourned until these documents could be obtained. Archbishop Walsh wan then called, and deposed that the Irish Bishops now encourage their clergy to assume responsible positions in the League. He considered the Land and National Leagues were a defensive necessity. The Attorney-General objected to witness giving his opinion to the effect that the League had caused a reduction in crime, and Sir James Hanuen, President of the Commission, ruled that abstract questions as to the working of the League were inadmissible, and facts only must be stated.

I London, May 9. Sir C Russkll apologised to Sir J. Hannen for his oversight in not having the documents in readiness necessary to enahle the cross examination of Mr Parnell to go on. Archbishop Walsh's examination was continued. He ga*e it as his experience that the League had diminished crime in Ireland. Secret societies, started after Parnell's arrest, were now virtually extinct, in the rural districts. He said that he abominated the articles in the " Irishman," and disapi roved of iiiany of those in the ' United Ireland." Ho admitted that, he had never denounced boycotting, but considered intimidation by force most reprehensible. He disapproved of Parnell's advice to the people to shun men who took farms from which tenants had been evicted. He also objected to publishing a black list of persons who refused to join the League. ►Sir 0. Russell's fee for defending the Parnellites is 10,000 guineas.

I London, May 10. Before the Times- Parnell Commisaio n to-day Father Coneidine was examined, and stated that the National League had never brought to justice any persons who had committed crime. He admitted aay- I ing in 1880 that every wretch who refused to join the League deserved to go bo damnation. Father Considine then weno on to describe the distressed condition of tenants living in Mayo, and said that their houses, were worse than the kennels and stables of wealthy landlords. No attempt whatever had been made to alleviate their misery ; and neither Lord Dillon, vho is an extensive landowner in Mayo, or his predecessors, had ever seen one of the 4,500 of their tenants on their estates. He admitted having encouraged priests to become members of the League, and urged them to maintain its legality. The suppression of the League had, he said, caused a revival of secret societies. Ho disapproved of boycotting and shunning men as if they were lepers.