Parliamentary Notes.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 426, 14 July 1904, Page 5

Parliamentary Notes.

Sir A J Oadman has been elected Speaker of the Legislative Council by a majority of one vote over the Hon. G McLean, Like Mark Twain on a similar occasion, the Hon. WDH Baillie considers that the report of his death appearing in a Ghristchurch paper last month is grossly exaggerated. Making a personal explanation in the Council last week, he said he was not sure whether he was present in the bodily or the spiritual state, as he had read an obituary notice of himself. "It is kind of them. : tc give me a passport to a region where I can have a korero with my ancestors; but I have many friends in the North Island and the South, and they will say * Well, poor old Baillie's gone at last 1" he added in tones of unutterable sadness. But he wishes the Press of the co ony to §ake note that he is still alive, an<* he told the Oouocil th*t he was going to ask the paper which had given him an obituary notice to restore him <» life. Possibly an easy way F hj offending, journal would be dim in t'H> births co umn, aYork Sou ' did on one famou* when, havi -g announced th. . a prominent m*n,Mt refuse ■ diet itself, and " allowe i iu . ' be born again free of charge." The irrepressible Mr K M Smith the other day referred to some remarks b\ the member for Mount Ida as provid ir?g a " Punoh a/s.j Judy exhibition." The allusion pr u.ije 1 to pass unnoticed till the Leader of the Opposition ros> to ask if it was a term that ought to be allowed in the House.—Mr Speaker ruled that it was an expression that ou ht not be applied to a member of Parliament, and he Was sure that the member for. 3S"ew Plymouth would no' nffa -5 again —Mr withdrew th* «Xjjj«hsion, and proceeded with his speech.