LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 30, 19 August 1871, Page 5

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

MONDAY, AUGUST 14. The fifth Parliament of New Zealand was opened on Monday at 2 p.m. by a Commission consisting of the Hon. J. L. 0. Richardson, Speaker of the Legislative Council ; the Hon. H. Sewell, the Hon. M. Richmond, C. 8., and the Hon. A. Domett. The Commissioners took their seats in the Legislative Council Chamber, where such members of the Council as have arrived in Wellington had assembled. The Hon. the Speaker having intimated that the Governor chad been pleased to cause a commission to be issued, "in order ; to the opening and holding of this Par- * liainent," a message was sent to the members of the House of Representatives, desiring their attendance for the pur- " pose of hearing the commision read. On their attending, the commission was read by the Clerk; and the Hon, the SPEAKER said, " Honorable Legislative Councillors and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives.—We have it in command from his Excellency to let you know that on Tuesday, the 15th day of August instant, at two o'clock, His Excellency will in person declare to you the causes of his calling this Parliament together. However, it being necessary that a Speaker of the House of Representatives be first chosen, hi 3 Excellency requests you, gentlemen of the House of Representatives, to repair to the place where you usually sit, and there proceed to the choice of a fit and proper person to fill that high and important office, and that, after "having chosen him, you present him, on Tuesday next, at the Government House, at half-past one o'clock in the forenoon, to his Excellency for approval." The members of the House of Representatives then withdrew, and the Council adjourned, while the Representatives assembled in their own hall. On resuming, several members of the Council took the oath, and the Council adjourned at three o'clock.