PARNELL V. THE TIMES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1857, 23 February 1889, Page 1

PARNELL V. THE TIMES.

London, February 18. Before the Commission tc-day, Houston, secretary of the Patriotic League, who it is alleged first took the letters to the Times, swore that Pigott bad declared to him that tho letters had been obtained through the influence of Bristen Eujene Dove, a Fenian agitator, chiefly from residents in Paris. February 19. Before the Commission Sir Charles Russell, counsel for thb Parnellites, complained of Mr Harold Fmch-Hatton accusing Mr Parnel! of organising and committing crime by proxy. The matter was left in abeyance, and Houston, secretary of the Patriotic League, was further examined. He deposed to having employed Pigott to obtain evidence connecting Parnellism with crime. He admitted that the widow of Joseph Mullet, one of the men found guilty of participating in the Phoenix Park murders, gave up one of the letters which had been produced. Frank Byrne, when escaping to New York after the Phoenix Park murders had been committed, had left several letters in the handwriting of Parnell and Egan behind in bags at Rome and Paris. These letters Pigott had apparently obtained from Kelly, the man who supplied knives to the murderers of Lord Frederick Cavendish and Mr Burke. Houston admitted that the letter written by him to Pigott had been destroyed when Maxwell had subpoenaed him as to the fulfilment of his agreement of Becrecy, Mr Houston, secretary of the Patriotic League, in his evidence before the Commission, stated that he employed Pigott in 1885 and 188 G to collect materials for a (uinphlet cal'ed " Parnellism annMfked." For writing the pamphlet Professor Maguire, ol Dublin, received an advance of £BOO, and £7OO paid lo Pigott and others. In 18ti5 Withers unsuccessfully applied to Mr Buckle,' editor of tho Times, to buy the letters. Next year lie applied 3gain, and this time Mr Buckle consented. Houston slated that be paid Pigott £SOO lor the letters and £12«0 for expenses. Ho made no profit himself out of the sale. February 20. When under examination before the Special Commission to-day, Houston produced a statement written by Pigott asserting that Tynan, who was believed to be " No. One," and Frank Byrne had contemplated murdering tho Prince of Wales and Mr Gladstone. The state, ment mentioned that Mr Parnell and Mr Egan were prime movers in the murders and outrages committed ; also that Mr J. G. Biggar and Mr J, Dillon were accessories.