GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1147, 11 September 1883, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

In the House on Saturday,

Mr Hamlin took the chair as ActingSpeaker, and after prayers read several Messages from the Governor, assenting to Bills, etc. He then announced that he had waited on the Governor, and presented the Appropriation Acts to which His Excellency had been pleased to assent. Mr Hamlin then left the chair, when

Sir George Grey rose and said he wished to give notice of a motion for the first day of next session. Mr Hamlin said he could not leceive it, and he took the Chairman of Committee's seat.

Sir George Grey said that according to all precedent he was quite in order. Members could discuss matters up to the very moment of prorogation. He insisted on his right to give the notice. The Hon Major Atkinson said if he did so he would call attention to the state of the House. There was really no quorum. There had been an understanding with the leader of the Oppositien that no further business should be done.

Sir George Grey said he was no party to any such agreement. The gentleman with whom it was made was not entitled to represent a large section of the House. The very fact of the arrangement showed he was entitled to speak. They had already done business. Mr Macandrew said members were always entitled to speak on any matters until they were called to attend the prorogation. He himself wished to call the attention of the Government to a matter of considerable importance. Mr J Buchanan said he had seen business gone on with to the last moment time after time in other colonies.

Sir George Grey said this was the most shameful proceeding he had ever known. He would address Major Campbell, and moved that Mr Ross take the chair.

Colonel Trimble rose to a point of order. The Acting-Speaker was quite in order occupying either the Speaker's chair or his own, and no one was entitled to address the clerk. Mr J Buchanan and one or two other members then rose, and all continued speaking as well os Colonel Trimble. The confusion of words was going on when the Sergeant-at-Arms announced a Message from the Legislative Council. During the temporary lull, Sir George Grey said, ' I protest.' Mr Hamlin then took the chair, and the Clerk of the Legislative Council was admitted, and requested the members of the House to attend the Commissioners for the prorogation. Before Mr Hamlin could leave the chair Sir George Grey again protested, and said he held authorities to show he was right. The Acting-Speaker and thirteen members then proceeded to the Council Chamber, preceded by the Sargeant-at-Arms, with thft mace. In the Council Chamber the Commission to Sir Wm Fitzherbert, Sir Geo S Whitmore, and the Hon Mr Whitnker, was read, and they in His Excellency's name, prorogued Parliament until Friday, 20th December.