THE COLONIST. PUBLISHED DAILY NELSON, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1883. PARLIAMENTARY JOTTINGS.

Colonist, Volume XXVI, Issue 3709, 10 September 1883, Page 3

THE COLONIST. PUBLISHED DAILY NELSON, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1883. PARLIAMENTARY JOTTINGS.

[from oue own correspondent.] WELLINGTON, September 8. The character of the session was maintained to the last. Throughout it has been remarkable for sudden and unexpected storms, and so while tbe House was waiting this afternoon for the customary summons to the Legislative Council Chamber to be prorogued, there was a final outburst; The Speaker having left for Auckland this morning, Mr Hamlin, as his deputy, took the chair. He read several: triessages from the Governor assenting to Bills, and reserving that on Annexation for the Queen's assent, and then, to the surpiiss of every person pre■sut,.vacated his seat. Sir G. Grey claimed the right to give notice of something, what no one knew, but Mt* Hamlin refused to listen to anything Major Atkinson added fuel .to the flame by stating that he had arranged with the leader of the Opposition, meaning Mr Montgomery, that no further business should be taken. Sir G. Grey protasted, properly enough; that no member had a right to bargain for tbe House, and persisted that he ought to be heard; Mr Macandrew suggested that he should address the Clerk, Major Campbell, which he did. There was another outcry of objections. iNext he moved that Mr Moss take the chair, when Colonel Trimbull, who had just entered, fairly roared his disapproval. Half a doaen members spoke at once, and " order "was continually called, but the chair being empty, there was no one to enforce it. In a lull.it was pointed out that while waiting members had always had the privilege of speaking on any subject they pleased. Mr Hamlin was in a quandary, not knowing how to act; and Ministers, who must have been aware how far he was wrong, said not a word to recall him to his duty. Everything was in confusion, and when the message came it was sometime be-' fore the Sergeant-at-Arms could make' himself heard. As soon as he did, Mr Hamlin hopped back into the chair, announced the summons, and marched away, followed by all as far, as the lobby, and then by less than half the members present to the other .Chamber. Those remaining behiud were indignant at the Depnty Speaker's conduct, and his denial for the first time in the history of this Parliament of the right of free speech.. The prorogation was by Commission, and was conducted to an almost empty room. The unfortunate blunder of: Mr Hamlin is to be lamented, partly! as it damages hia reputation-;for.Scom-petence,'much more, as it led to a parting in anger, that otherwise would have been courteous if not „ kindly. — "■ ' " ' ' ' '"ji"