AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1293, 20 July 1886, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Svdnbt, July H

A sitting of abnormal duration, during which Bcenea of groat disorder took place, was concluded in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly at 12,30 a.m on Sunday. The House sat without interval from Thursday afternoon, a term of 66 hours, which is the longest on record in the colony. T.e inject of (jJacusEijn was the Customs Hill, which was being considered in Committee of the whole House. Several members protested against the continued session of the Committee as informal, and ihe Chairman referred the matter to the Speaker, whodecided that the Committee was properly c icsutut ;d. Attention was called to the presence of strangers and iba gallerias w-'ro cleared, inc’udi g tie Press gallery. The news papers obtained reports nevertheless Haring Friday night the wild st nproar prevailed in the House, and the grossespersonalities were freely indulged in, such ripressions as “ liar,’’ “drunkard," etc., l eiog exchanged. A number of members openly defied the Speaker and Chairman of Committees, Three, namely, Messrs Wisdom, Shepherd and Gibbs were suspended and removal by the Sergeant-at Arms, Mr Gibbs beingthree timesrerooved from the Speaker’s chair, in which he had taken hisaeat. Early on Saturday morning the press was n admitted. Stone walling continued all Saturday, and scenes of disorder were enacted. Shortly before midnight on Saturday Sir H. Parkes as leader of the Opooaition, announced that his followers refused to break the Sabbath, whereupon Sir P. Jennings, the Premier, proposed to adjourn at midnight till 10 o’clock on Monday morning. Sir Henry Parkes refused to consent, asking for an adjounment till Tuesday, which the Government refused. Sir Henry Parkes then handed In a paper signed by 28 members of the Opposition, placing on record their protest against the unreasonable and violent course pursued by the Government in forcing the Bill through, including a sit ting on Sunday, which desecration of the Saobath had not even the ground of necessity. On the stroke of midnight a dramatic scene took place. All the members of the Opposition, headed by Sir Henry Parkes, left the chamber in single file. The Committee thereupon passed the remaining cla»ses, and the Honse adjourned at 12 30 a.m. When the sitting was concluded a demonstration was made by the oconpanta of the ttrangers gallery, wh ch was crowded. Hisses, groans, and uncomplimentary expressions were indulged in. The spectators afterwards assembled outside, and continued ■to hoot and groan at members of the Government, and cheering Sir Hear? Parkes and the Opposition. Mr Trickett, chairman of Committees, has since resigned the position. Mr Shepherd has commenced legal proceedings to test the legality of his suspension by the Chairman of Committees. Mr Shepherd claims that the power is vested only in the Speaker. Brisbane, July 14.

Parliament was opened yesterday by Sir Arihur Palmer, the acting Governor, in the presence of a large assemblage of spectators. The speech consists chiefly of an enumeration of measures to be brought iu during the coming session, t states that la spite of the m.favo able seas n and protracted drought, the finances of tLa colony are in a satisfactory condition. The only reference to the separation of Northern Queensland is at the end of th Speech, when a hope is expressed that time will permit of the adoption of measures for the removal of the grounds of complaint of the delay in the administration of public business iu remote parts of the colony, and the somet : mes apparent inattention to local r'r; ELMS. Harrier has oi Oooktown, and reports an attack made on Captain Mark of fI.M.S. Swinger by natives of the Saint Dignon Island, in the Lontssade Arcbipelago._ The captain was ashore when the natives struck at him with large cane knives, cutting him on the neck and wrist. The doctor, who was with him, fired on the natives, and the captain was taken on board. Captain Mark’s injuries are not serious, and he is prtgresslng favorably.