OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 179, 27 September 1879, Page 3

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Wellington, Sept. 24.

Parliament met at 2 p.m. to-day.

Honorable members were summoned to the Legislative Council Chamber, where the Commission by his Excellency, the Governor was read. It appointed Sir William Fitzherbert, the Hon. Colonel Whitmb're, and Sir F. D. Bell Commissioners to open Parliament in his (the Governor's) absence. On returning to the House of Representatives the proclamation convening Parliament was read ; the roll called; the notifications of the various members returned produced ; and the nr embers sworn in. ELECION OF SPEAKER. The Premier then moved the election of Mr Q'Rorke as Speaker. He said, a few weeks ago, at the commencem?nt of last session, a similar duty had devolved upon him. On that occasion he spoke at some length of the extensive knowledge and experience of the candidate. Mr O'Ecrke possessed parlia•mentary practise, as also a strict sense of impartiality, which he had all along displayed in the conduct of such business as the House had entrusted to him in connection with the Chairmanship of Committees. The conduct displayed by Mr O'Rorke as Speaker of the late session of Parliament had fully justified these comments, and gave him the more confidence, in bringing forward this motion. The Hon Mr Hall seconded the motion, shad, he said, Parlia'itary earecr, enjoyed favorable opporfcuni- _ for estimating Mr O'Rorke's:; character -<"Hon as a member'of the House.

On some occasions he bad beefl privileged to find that lie was working on the same 'side as Mr O'iiorke, and on other occasions they were in opposition. But what ever* the circumstances of condition of affairs in that respect might happen to be, he had always found him strictly honorable in his actions, and thoroughly impartial in his conduct. No other members having been proposed, the motion was carried without dissent. In acknowledging his election, Mr O'Eorke referred to the lengthy period during which he had acted as Chairman of Committees, and while admitting that a very warm .compliment had been .paid him both, by the mpver and seconder of his election, expressed his conviction that in not a single instance he was aware of. his rulings having been called into question. After taking the Speaker's chair, he said that it would be his best endeavor to conduct the business of the House in such a manner as would merit a continuance of their confidence.

Mr Reader Wood moved the adjournment of the House, and'in doing so, congratulated Mr O'Eorke on tl:e occasion of his election as their Chairman.

The motion was seconded by Major Atkinson, who likewise congratulated the newlyelected Speaker. At 3.55 p.m. the Houbs adjourned.