GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1747, 25 September 1879, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Wednesday, September 24. The new Parliament assembled at two o'clock, when nearly all the members, except those from Hawko's Bay, were in attendance. The Clerk of the House read the " Gazette" notification, and the Olerk of the Upper House intimated that the Legislative Couucil desired the attendance of members of the Lower House in the Chamber of the Council.

Sir W. Eitzherbert, Hon. Major Richmond, and Hon. Colonel Whitmore wero invested with powers under his Excellency's Commission to open the proceedings of the new Parliament, and the Commission was read by the Clerk (Mr Eorster Goring). The Spbakbb (Sir W. Fitzherbert) then intimated that his Excellency would deliver his opening speech on the following day at 2.30 p.m., and that in the meantime it would be the duty of the Lower House to proceed to the election of their Speaker. The members of the House of Representatives then returned to the House, where the. commission was read, and they were severally sworn in by the Clerk (Major Campbell). EMOTION OP SPBAKBB. Bif Q-bo. Obey moved—" That Mr Q. M. O'Rorke take the chair as Speaker of the House." He said he had done so when the House last assembled, and then stated the uaiiflcattona which he powegaed for tfee

office. On that occasion the proposal was seconded by the leader of the Opposition, and they all knew how he had conducted the proceedings. The announcement was received wißh choerr. Mr J. HALi seconded the proposition, and in doing so paid a high compliment to the fairness and ability of Mr O'Rorke in the discharge of the duties devolving upon him as Speaker of that House since his appointment on a former occasion. Mr O'Eoekk, addressing the Clerk of the House, said it would ill become him to say he possessed all the qualities which had been attributed to him, but he would say that he would endeavor to hold the scales evenly balanced on all occasions, and endeavor to merit the confidence they had again reposed in him in re-electing him as their Speaker. The Speaker then took the chair amid applause. Mr Reader Wood-and Major Atkinson rose to congratulate the Speaker on his election, and Mr O'Rorke acknowledged the compliment. The House then adjourned until two o'clock on Thursday.