OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1215, 9 August 1884, Page 2

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

WBLLINGTok, August 7v ,/ The first session of the ninth Parliament was formallj opened Commission at two o'clock to-day. i The Commissioners were the Hon. ! Sir W. Fitzherbert, Speaker of the Legislative Council ; the Hod. Sir ; George Whitmore, th« Hon. W. Olirer, and the Hon. G. M. Waterhouse. After the Members of the Lower House had been summoned to the Legislative Council Chamber, the Royal Commission authorising the opening of Parliament was read by the Clerk of the Council, and Sir W. Fitzhorbert then formally declared Parliament to be opened and directed the Members of the Lower House to return to their Chamber and proceed to the election of a Speaker, whom they, were afterwards to present for approral to His Excellency t*»e Governor, who would on Thursday, tha 14th inst., come down aud declare the purposes for which he had called- Parliampnt together. ELECTION OF SPEAKEB. After the Members of the House of Representatives had been sworn in, Mr Fulton, M.fcf.R. for Taien, proposed that Sir G. M. O'Rorke be elected Speaker, and in doing bo eulogised tha past career of the hon. gentlemin. In appointing a gentleman to this responsible position, he said, it was necessary that such a geatleman should bring to the position qualifications trained to impartiality and firmness of character, and be believed Sir Maurice O'Rorke possessed these. During the whole reign of Sir Maurice as Speaker, he had carried out his duties with a kindness and suavity which had commanded the respect ot all those who sat under him. ;

Mr Macandrew seconded the nomination, and confirmed all that had been said by Mr Fulton. He congratulatod the New Zealand Representatives in having among them a gentleman so well up in Parliamentary practice, and said the colony had been particular]/ fortunate in the choice of Speaker. ' Sir Maurice O'Rorke was a gentleruau who possessed firmness and impartiality, and would conduct the business of the House with credit to himself and the colony. In concluding, Mr Macandrew hoped that the present Parliament would be distinguished for the same gentlem»nly bearing as had existed hitherto. Sir Maurice O'Rorke thanked .the proposer and seconder, and said he felt deeply impressed with the responsibilities attaching to the position for which he had been nominated, and was also aware of the courtesy due to members. Those gentlemen who sat in the last and previous Parliaments were ablo to judge if he possessed the necessary qualifications for the office. He would, be absorbed with the desire to discharge his duties both faithfully and impartially, and at the same tim* would recognise the great assistance received from members whose gentlemanly bearing had greatly strengthened . the hands of the Speaker, and rendered his position more pleasant. Ha hoped that he would continue to merit the confidence reposed in him by the House. The motion was carried by acclamation, after which the Speaker-elect was escorted to the chair by his proposer and seconder, and standing on the steps he in suitable terms returned thanks to the House for the high honor they had now for the third time conferred upon him. He then, amid the cheers of the House, took the chair, and the mace was placed upon the Tabic. Major Atkinson pongralulaied Sir Maurice on his appointment, and said it was gratifying both to himself and the House.

ADJOURNMENT. At 3 p.m., Major Atkinsoi movad that the. House adjourn until 2.80 p.m. to-morrow, Wien he would be prepared to make a Ministerial statement as to the intentions of Government. The motion wag carried.