LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wednesday, May 24.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IX, Issue 925, 14 June 1854, Page 3

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wednesday, May 24.

Present, all the Members except the Hon. H. Petre and Captain Bellairs. The Chief Justice proceeded to administer the required oath to the Members ; after which the Members took their seats. The Speakkr (William Swainson, Esq., At-torney-General) then addressed the Council. He said that many of the members were no doubt already aware that his Excellency the Officer Administering the Government had been pleased i to appoint him (Mr. Swainson) to fill the office of first Speaker of the Legislative Council of the General Assembly of New Zealand. But it might be proper before proceeding to take the chair, he should read and lay before the Council the commission, authorising him to assume and exercise the duties of the office. [The Speaker here read the Commission, and then continued ] He believed it was an ancient usage for the Speaker of the greatest Legislative Assemby in the world, on the occasion of his appointment to office, humbly to represent his incapacity for so great a trust. Having been appointed to the highest and most honorable office which it was in the power of her Majesty's Representative- in New Zealand to bestow, he could assure the Council that he had not ven~ tured to undertake its duties without some diffidence, or without a full sense of his need for their considerate indulgence. But having been selected to fill that distinguished office, and having accepted the appointment, he could assure the Council that he would feel it not only his duty, but his own prida and pleasure to discharge its requirements in such a manner as might tend to justify the choice, to uphold the character of the Council, and to promote the interests of the colony at large. In exercising his duties, it might no doubt happen that he should express opinions and give decisions in which the Council might not hs able to concur. But he would pray that, however much they might deem him to be in error, as to judgi ment, they would believe him to be at all times influenced by a sincere desire faithfully, impartially, and to the best of his ability, to discharge the duties of the office. ' The Speaker then read the Proclamation, ' calling the meeting of the General Assembly. Mr, Whitaker moved the appointment for the session of a Committee, to be called "the Standing Orders Commiltee," whose duty it should be to prepare rules for the management of the business of the house, and for such con-, ferences and communications with a committee of the House of Representatives- as might be necessary. The committee to consist of the Speaker, Mr. St. Hill, Mr. Bell, Mr. Seymour, and Mr. Whitaker. Mr. Gilfillan seconded the motion. Mr. Bell objected to the transacting of any business then, as he did not conceive that the Council was duly constituted until the Assembly had been formally opened by the Officer Administering the Government. After a very brief discussion, The Speaker said that, being appealed to, he must decide that it was quite competent for the Council to take the proposed step, inasmuch as the 52nd clause of the Constitution Act required that the Council should proceed to the formation of Rules, &c, at their first sitting. The motion was then put and carried ; after which the Council adjourned until 3 o'clock. At that hour the Council again assembled^™ ! forma, but there being no business before them it was agreed to adjourn until Saturday at 2p.m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wednesday, Mat 24. The members assembled at noon, Mr. Carleton in the Chair. It was proposed that after the members had been sworn in they should adjourn until Friday, to affoid time for more fully (considering who

was the most suitable person for the office of Speaker. This matter remained undecided when the Chief Justice entered (the members having expressed a desire to be sworn in their own j chamber) and administered the oath. The discussion was then resumed, but the public having been excluded from the meeting, rre are not acquainted with the particulars. We understand, however that the following resolution was adopted, on the motion of Mr. Rhodes, seconded by Mr. Cutten .— * "That a deputation from this private meeting of the members of the House of Representatives do wait upon his Excellency the Officer Administering: the Government, for the purpose of respectfully representing to his Excellency the hope of the meeting that It may suit the convenience of his Excellency to postpone until Friday next the opening of the General Assembly," The deputation, which consisted of Messrs. Carleton, Cutten, Rhodes, Greenwood, Porter, Bartleyj Clifford, and O'Neill, having waited on his Excellency, stated on their return that he had been pleased to say, that whenever it should be announced to him that the House had elected its Speaker, he would be prepared to open the Assembly, and deliver his address. Mr. Carleton then declared the private meeting dissolved, and left the chair ; but on the motion of Mr. Revans, seconded by Mr. Lee, and agreed to, the hon. member resumed the chair in what was understood to be a regular meeting of the House. The Chairman then read the Proclamation summoning the General Assembly. j Mr. Revans proposed that the House do proceed to the election of Speaker. Mr. Rhodes seconded the motion. Mr. M'AndreW moved as an amendment, and Mr. Merriman seconded that the House do adjourn until Friday, at 11 o'clock, then to meet for the election of Speaker. Some discussion ensued, in the course of which Mr. O'Neill urged an immediate election and Mr. Forsaith argued that by such a course, after having asked his Excellency to assent to a postponement, the House would stultify itself. Ultimately the amendment was carried, and the House accordingly adjourned.