POLITICAL NEWS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4016, 5 June 1884, Page 3

POLITICAL NEWS.

[by telegraph.] [from our own correspondent.] Wellington, This day. The third session of the eighth Parliament of New Zealand was formally opened at 2 o'clock this afternoon by His Excellency Sir W. Jervoia in person. Splendid weather favored the event, in which considerable interest was manifested. On the Governor driving up to themaiu entrance of the Legislative Council, the local Battery of Artil-. lery fired a salute, the Wellington Rifles forming a guard of honor, and the Garrison Band striking up the National Anthem. There was a large attendance of spectators in the Legislative Council Chamber, where the ceremony took place, and many ladies were accommodated with seats on the floor of the Chamber. Sir William was received by Sir W. Fitzherbert, the Speaker of the Upper House, who conducted him to the throne from which the speech was to be read. A message was at once despatched to the Lower House, where the "Reps" were patiently awaiting the summons to give their attendance in the other Chamber, and presently between twenty and thirty Commoners filed in, after which His Excellency read the speech in his usual clear and deliberate manner of speaking. The work of the session will commence in earnest on Tuesday. It is commonly rumored that an amendment will be moved to tho Address in Reply by either Mr Dargaville or Mr Wakefield, of which notice will be given with as little delay as possible. The amendment is expected to traverse tho general policy and administration of tho Government. Ministers, however, aro anxious to make the Canterbury grain tariff question the ground of battle, and with this object in view every opportunity will be given to join issue at once. As already known Dr. Newman will move tho Address in Reply, but no seconder has yet been fixed upon, as one of the old members will have to be selected.