NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT.

OPENING- OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. Yestemuy afterripon^at two o'clock, tbo v ceremony of opening Parliament took plaeo | foi;,the first _>ifno iu\ Wellington sinco the I i 'removal o£-the seat of Government. Tho weather, unfortunately, turned out very wet, although in the morning it had given promise of a fine day. The Wellington Rifle Volunteers were ordered to parade on tho Reclaimed Laud at a quarter to one o'clock, to form a guard of honor for his Excellency, and at that lime they had mustered in pretty strong force, there being present Major Gorton, commandant of Militia and Volunteers, Captain Kirwan, Captain Pilraer, Lieutenant Mills, Ensign Holmes, and about sixty rank and file. At half-past one o'clock they marched up to the House of Assembly in MolesNvortli Street, and on arriving there,

were opened out into two ranks facing inwards, and after the usual preliminaries of " eyes left," " dress," &o, were ordered to stand easy as if such a thing were possible in the very uncomfortable state of the weather. In fact, the belles of Wellington, who had sent their gallant defenders to take part iv the grand demonstration o? the day, must have been greviously disappointed at the appearance of their heroes, for however prim they might have left home, the soaking they got there would doubtless damp ail esprit de Corps. However, after waiting patiently for [ some time in anxious expectation, an Albert Car was driven up smartly to the entrance, ! and necks were stretched to their utmost extension to catch a glimpse of His Excellency, i but only to be disappointed, for the occupants turned out to be three ladies, who, although not expected were probably all the more admired. At a quarter to two o'clock some one in livery rushed out of tho door in frantic hast .■ and ! commenced ringing a large bell in a most energetic manner, the meaning of which cerel mony was to warn all laggard members to ■ take their places. This passed over, and ajfew minutes before two o'clock expectation was gratified by seeing a small body of dark figures leave Government House and take road to the House of Assembly. A bugler i (or perhaps we oiuht rather to call him a i Herald) sounded a call on his instrument and immediately the gallant Major gave the orders "shoulder arms" " present arms" the band of the company playing inspiriting miisic during the time of transit from the gates to tho House. His Excellency, accompanied by Major Grey, A.D.C., Capt. Bulkley, A.D.C., tho llev Mr Thatcher, Private Secretary, a Native Assessor, and other members of his staff, all in full uniform, advanced uncovered between tho two lines of volunteers, but the effect was much marred by tho sparkling uniforms being hid under horse cloaks, worn in consequence of the rain. After divesting themselves of these outer garments, His Excellency and suite at once proceeded to the House of the Legislative Council.