PARLIAMENTARY.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3357, 25 September 1879, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

[Special Wike to "Stab."]

(Pisu PiiEss Association.)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Welungtok, Last night.

Parliament met at two o'clock to-day. Hon. members were summoned to the Legislative Council Chamber, where the Commission by His Excellency the Governor was rend appointing Sir Wm. Fitzherbert, the Hon. Col. Whitmore, and Sir P. D. Bell Commissioners to open Parliament in ' his (the Governor's) absence. On returning to the House-of. Representatives, the proclamation convening the Parliament was read and the roll called. The notification of the various members' returns was produced, and the members sworn in.

The Premier then moved the election of Mr O'Korke as Speaker. He said a few weeks ago, at the commencement of last session, a similar duty had devolved upon him on that occasion. He spoke at some length of the extensive knowledge and experience the candidate (Mr O'Borke) possessed of Parliamentary practice, as also the strict sense of impartiality he bad 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'Horke 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. He had (he said), during a lengthened Parliamentary career, enjoyed Favorable opportunities for estimating Mr O'Eorke's character and disposition as a member of the House. On some occasions he had been privileged to find that he was working on the same side with Mr O'Borke, and on other occasions they were in opposition. Whatever circumatancas or condition officers in that respect might happen to be in, he had always found him strictly honorable in his actions and thoroughly impartial in his conduct. No other member having been proposed, the motion was carried without dissent.

In acknowledgment of his election, Mr O'J&orkb, referred to the lengthened period during which he had acted as Chairman of Comnvf|tees, and while admitting that very warm compliments had been paid him, both by mover and seconder of his election, expressed his conviction that in not a single instance he was- aware of his rulings been called into question. After taking the Speaker's chair, he said it would be bis best endeavors to conduct the business of the House in such a manner hs would merit a continuance of their confidence.

Mr .Reader Wood moved the adjournmeut of the House, and in doin« so congratulated Mr G'&orke on the unanimity of his election as their Speaker.

The motion whs seconded by Major Atkinson, who likewise took occasion to congratulate the newly-elected Speaker. At 3.55 o'clock the House adjourned till 2 p.m. to-morrow. His Excellency will deliver his speech at 2.30 p.m. to-morrow afternoon.