PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 4, Issue 333, 26 September 1879, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS.

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT,

(Per Press Association.)

Wednesday, Sept. 24

Parliament met at 2 o'clock. Hon members were summoned to the Legislative Council Chamber, where the Commission by His Excellency the Governor was read. It appointed Sir William Fitzherbert, the Hon Colonel Whitmore, and Sir F. D. Bell Commissioners to open Parliament in the Governor's absence. On returning to the Honse of Representatives, the proclamation convening Parliament was then read, the roll called, the notifications of the various members returned produced, and the members sworn in. ELECTION OP SPEAKER. The Premier then moved the election of Mr O'Rorke as speaker. He said that a few weeks ago, at the commencement of last session, a similar duty had devolved upon him. On that occassion he spoke at some length of the extensive knowledge the candidate, Mr O'Rorke, possessed of Parliamentary practice, as well as the strict sense of impartiality he had all along displayed in the conduct of such business as the House had entrusted to him in connection with the Chairmanship of Committees. The conduct displayed by Mr O'Rorke as Speaker of the late session of Parliament had fully justified these comments, and gave him the more confidence in bringing forward this motion. The Hon J. Hall seconded the motion. He had, he said, dnring a lengthened parliamentary career enjoyed favorable opportunities for estimating Mr O'Rorke's character and disposition as a member of the House. • On some occasions he had been privileged to find that he was was working on the same side as Mr O'Rorke, and on other occasions they were in opposition. Whatever the cirenmstances or condition of affairs in that respect might happen to be, he had always found him strictly honorable in his actions and thoroughly impartial in his conduct.

No other members having been proposed, tlie motion was carried without dissent. In acknowledging his election, Mr O'Rorke referred to the lengthy period during which he had acted as Chairman of Committees, and while admitting that a very warm compliment had been paid him both by tho mover and seconder of his electiou, expressed his conviction that in not a single instance was he aware of his ruling having been called into question. He said that it would be his best endeavor.... to conduct the business of the House in such; a manner as would merit .a, ..continuance, of. their confidence. . . Mr Reader Wood moved tho adjournment of the House, and in doing so, congratulated Mr O'Rorke on the occasion of his election as their Chairman. The motion was seconded bj Major Atkinson, who likewise congratulated the newly-elected Speaker, and at 3.55 p.m. the House adjourned till 2 p.m. tomorrow. His Excellency will deliver his speech at 2.30 p.m. to-morrow." Mr Andrews moves, and Mr.. Hirst seconds the Address in reply.