GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1644, 8 October 1887, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Wellington, Oct. 6. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The first session of the tenth Parliament of New Zealand vyas opened at 2 o’clock this afternoon by commission. The weather wan fine, but the attendance of strangers was small. Sir William Fitzherbort read the commission to the assembled members. Those from the Lower House, numbering about 70, were headed by the Clerk and Sergeant-«t Arras, no Speaker having been elected. Besides the four Commissioners, Sir William Fi'zherbert, the Hon, Mr Waterhouse, the Hon. Mr Buckley, and the Hon, Mr Reynolds, and sixteen Councilors were present. After the reading of the commission, Sir William Fitzherbert announced that the Governor would make his views known at 2 30 p.m. on Tuesday, and in th» meantime commanded the House of Representatives to elect a Speaker. The members of the House retired for that purpose, and the Council adjourned. HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.40 p.m. MESSAGE fROM THE LEGISLATIVE COUNOIL. A message was received from the Legislative Council rquiring the attendance of members to hear th“ commissioners' proclamation for opening Parliament read. On returning to the House members were ■worn in by the Clerk of Parliament and signed the register. ELECTION OV SPEAKER. On the motion of Mr Lance, seconded by Mr Pearson, Sir Maurice O'Rorko was re-elecUd Speaker. Very eulogistic speeches were made by the proposer and seconder, and Sir Julius Vogel, and Major Atkinson congratulated Sir Maurica on bis re-election. tHK POLITICAL SITUATION. Sir Julm* Vogel moved the adjournment of the House. He said that he was sure that bis regret at the absence of the Premier was shared by a large number of persons in the House and colony, but he washed to make no reflection on the gentleman who was sitting in bis (Sir R. Stout’s) place. On Friday last the Premier had placed bis resignation in the hands of the Governor, and was asked to hold office until the new Government bad been formed. Major Atkinson had undertaken to form a Government, and it was in accordance with that gentleman’s wish that he moved that the House should adjourn till Tuesday evening next at 7.30. Major Atkinson said that it wan quite true that the Governor had been pleased to send for him, and had asked him to undertake the task of forming a Government. In the very peculiar circumstances of the colony he had not felt himself at liberty to undertake the work, and he had asked His Excellency for sufficient time to consult the gentlemen who had been opposed to the policy of the Stout-Vogel Government. He would consult them shortly, and he hoped by Tuesday next to be in a position to make a statement as to the intentions of his party. The House rose at 3.16 p.m.