PARLIAMENTARY.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 14, Issue 711, 23 August 1869, Page 1 (Supplement)

PARLIAMENTARY.

We take the following from the Evening Post of Saturday last:— The sitting of the House of Representatives came to an abrupt and unexpected termination last night, shortly afer 7 o'clock, through a " count out"—the first of the session. The Speaker took the chair precisely at 7 o'clock, and was about proceeding with the business of the evening, when Mr Bunny, who was the only occupant of the Opposition benches, called his attention to the stare of the House. The bell was ordere 1 to be rung, and the Speaker turned his glass, and, when the sand; was run, he declared that only 16 members were present: and consequently, the House stood adjourned for the next three days. The names of those who were present were requested to be taken down. Immediately afterwards a number of members came crowding in—Messrs Hall and Stafford among the rest—who glanced at the clock, and pretended to be much surprised at the state of affairs. Mr Bunny, however, who first called the Speaker's attention to the paucity of members, did not again put in an appearance. The Government party were much annoyed at this contretemps, especially Mr Wilson, who proposed to stop the honararium, and devoutly thanked God that there would be sittings on Mondays for the future. The fact seems to be that it was a pre-arranged affair on the part ot the Opposition members, but as they had had a pretty severe day's work, a very pleasant solace for which was offered at the hospitable mansion of Mr Domett, they were scarcely to be blamed. As for Mr Bunny, whether, as was said, he was carrying out the wishes of his party or acting on his own responsibility, he has shown himself a benefactor to the hard-worked representatives of the press, and deserves their gratitude accordingly.