GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2676, 23 June 1894, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wellington, June 21. Parliament was opened at 2,30 p.m, by commission. The Hon. Mr Miller,Speaker of the Legislative Council, was commissioner. About 25 councillors and 40 members of the House were present. The attendance of the public was confined to a few ladies. On the members of the House being summoned to the Council Chamber, about forty appeared, headed by the Premier and Ministers.

The Commission was then read by the Hon. Mr Miller and letters patent by the clerk to the Council. Mr Miller stated that His Excellency would be pleased to attend that chamber at 2.30 p.m on Friday to deliver his speech to Parliament. In his name he directed the representatives to return to their Chamber and proceed to the election of the Speaker, and having elected him to attend at Government House at 12 noon on Friday, there to present their choice for His Excellency’s approval. MEMBERS SWORN IN. The members of the Lower House then withdrew to their Chamber, where they were sworn in in batches of four by Mr Friend, Clerk to the House, in the presence of crowded galleries. ELECTION OP; THE SPEAKER. Mr Saunders proposed, and Mr W. Kelly seconded, Sir Maurice O’Rorke as Speaker. As an amendment Mr W. Hall Jones proposed the Hon. Major Steward. The Premier supported Sir Maurice O’Rorke, and after a few remarks by Sir Maurice O’Rorke and Major Steward a division was taken, the result being the election of Sir Maurice O’Rorke by 45 votes to 19 votes. Sir Maurice was then escorted to the chair, and the House adjourned until Friday.