GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 515, 10 June 1869, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

(PROM OUR OWX CO-RESPONDENT.) The fourth session of the fourth Parliament was opened on Tuesday, the first of June, by Commission consisting of the lions. Major Richardson (Speaker of the Upper House) Richmond, C.8., and Dr Pollen. The Legislative Council Chamber was, as usual, filled in all the spare places with gaily dressed ladies, while the galleries were filled with men. There was no guard outside the building, the Governor not being present. At a few minutes past 2 o'clock the Speaker entered tho Legislative Council Chamber and announced that tho Governor being absent had appointed a Commission for tho "purpose of opening the Assembly.

The Commission then entered, and the Commons, having been summoned, entered the chamber headed by tho Sergeant at Arms bearing the mace. The Hon. Major Richardson then read the address [which wo have already published.] The Commons having retired,

The Hon. J. O'Neill and 11. Chamberlain took tbe oath and their seats. The lion. Mr Domett then explained that his Excellency the Governor was unavoidably absent, it having been thought prudent that he should visit the Waikato. He was expected to arrive in AVellington about the 10th iustaut. House of Representatives. Tbe Speaker announced that eleven now members bad been elected, when Messrs Stafford for Timaru, J. Munro for Marsden, H. "W. Farnall for Northern Division, R. J. Creighton for Newton, and P. Rich for Waikouaiti, took the oath. NEW BILL. The Colonial Secretary obtained leave to iutroduce a Bill to provide tor public payments without probate, which was read a first time. PAPEBS. The following papers were laid on the table : Further despatches from the Governor of New Zealand to the Secretary of State, in continuation of papers presented 30th September, 18(53 ; further despatches from the Secretary of State to tbe Governor of New Zealand, iu continuation of papers presented 1-ith October, ISGS; Ministerial memoranda ; further papers relative to disal* lowauce of Provincial Bills, in continuation of papers presented 9th July, ISSS; papers relating to military operations against rebel natives; papers relative to the agency of Mr M'Lean ; first report of the enquiry into trust estates, for religious, charitable, and educational purposes ; papers relative to proposed conference between tbe Governments of New Zealand and Australia ; papers relative to Imperial troops in New Zealand ; further papers relative to consolidation of New Zealand loans ; papers relative to the Honorable W. Fitzherbert's mission to England ; papers relative to the introduction of salmon into the colony; second report of Commissioners on public accounts ; meteorological report, ISGS, by James Hector, M.D. P.R.S.; transactions and proceedings of the New Zealand Institute 1868, edited by James Hector, M.D.F.R.S. The Colonial Secretary explained the cause of the absence of his Excellency the Governor. The House then adjourned. "WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2. The Speaker laid upon the table a letter from the Speaker of the House of Commons, stating that a copy of the Journals of the House of Commons had been forwarded to New Zealand.

The Hon. Mr Hall brought in a bill intituled "An Act to constitute Courts of Enquiry into the causes of Wrecks," which was read a first time. On a motion of the Hon. Mr Hall a select committee to consider bills affecting Waste Lauds of the Crown was appointed. On the motion of Mr Cracroft Wilson a return was ordered showing the number and acreage of all runs leased from the Maoris, and the amount of rental to be paid. EEPLY TO TEE ADDTSE3S. Mr Edwards, in moving the reply to the address (of which it was a mere echo,) said that lie must not be understood to give an unqualified support to the Government because he moved the reply. He thought that latterly in regard to the Native disturbances the Government had ajted with vigor. Mr Swan seconded the reply in a short speech which gave eredit to the Ministers for every act of the Government. Mr C. Wilson, C. 8., drew attention to the bad grammar in the address and objected to another loan, as did Mr Pott's. Mr Borlaso did not wish to start a debate on the reply, but wished to guard himself from being supposed to accept all it stated. Mr Fox would not oppose the reply, being unprepared with anything to take its place. He would reserve his fight to oppose the opinions expressed ait at a future time.

The reply was then carried. The Colonial Secretary laid on the tablo the forty mining essays in manuscript. The House then adjourned.