PARLIAMENTARY.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 929, 30 June 1903, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

THE FORMAL OPENING

Per Press Association WELLINGTON, last night. There was 'line weather for (he opening of Parliament to-day, and a large muster of members. Parliament was formally opened by Commission. Members were sworn m in the Lower House.

Till: SPEAKER.

Mr Guinness was elected Speake of the Lower House, unopposed.

GOVERNMENT CAUCUS

Tiic official report of Hie Hovoninicnf caucus held 1 his morning st.al es that, only four incinhcrs of the party were absent. 'Die Premier said they had met simply to make each other’s acquaintance. \’o proposals were to tie submitted at present, only what had been said by the I’reinier in his speeches (lurin'; Ihe recess would he adhered to, except that, there mip;lil tie some alteration in the details. After disetlssine; several matters informally, the meetiriy passed a hearty vote of eonyralnlat ion to the Premier on his j ret urn from Kurland and on his record reijrn as Premier.

THE OPENING CEREMONY

(Per Press Association.)

Wellington, last night.

The first session of the fifteenth Parliament was opened by Commission this afternoon. The galleries wero alni(;3t empty when the Legislative Council met at 2.;J0, arid the Commissioners took their seats. They wero Hons. Miller, Pitt, Walker, anil Baillio. The newly-appointed Hon. Mahuta was also one of the Com-

missioners appointed, hut he did no! attend.'

Mi- Lvlillor, the cliiof Commissioner, informed tho Council that the Governor had been pleased to causo a Commission to he issued in order to open Parliament. He then commanded the official known as “ Gentleman usher of tho Pinch Hod ” to inform the members of tho House of Representatives that the Commissioners dosirod their immediate attendanco in the Legislative Council Chamber to hour letters patent appointing the Commission road.

In response to tin's invitation, members of the popular Chamber, headed by the Premier, attended in a numerous body. Tlio chief Commissioner informed them of tho appointment of the Commission, and the letters patent were read by the Clerk of Parliament. Tne chief Commissioner then informed tiio members of both branches of the Legjsluture tiiat the Governor would next day in person declare to them tiie causes of Ins culling Parliament together, lie also

announced to members of the House of Representatives that it would first be necessary to elect a Speaker of tho House, and that after having chosen him ho would bo presented at 11 a m. next day for the Governor’s approval. There was a largo attendance of tho public in the galleries of tho House. On their return from tho Legislative Council members wero sworn in in batches of four.

THE SPEAKERSHIP

ISy Telegraph Cross Association

Wellington, last night,

After members of tho House had been sworn in, Mr McNab proposed that Mr A. R. Guinness be elected Speaker, which was seconded by Mr Millar, no other aomina* lions being received. Mr Guinness, speaking from bis place on tho Hour of tho House, expressed his grateful acknowledgments of the high honor the Houso had conferred on him. Ho was then escorted to the Speaker’s chair by his proposer and seconder, and, speaking from the steps of the Speaker’s chair, again tendered his thanks. Mr Seddon, Sir William Russell, and Sir W. J. Steward congratulated Mr Guinness on his election. Mr Seddon announced that tho Imprest Supply Bill would be brought down next day, and tho House roso at 0.40,