PARLIAMENTARY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 4440, 8 August 1884, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

[iiy TELECBArn.]

[FROM OUR SPECIAL REPORTER.]

"Wellinotok, this day. An Uninteresting Prelude to Stisring

Tiie opening ceremonies in Parliament yesrerday were not remarkable for gorgeoußness. No military array, no firing of guns, or braying of brass bards, stirred up th_ people of the Empir6***_ity to welcome the £j}J>i-esentatives to whom the destines of the COlony have been committed foranotherthree years. Tlio only difference noticeable in Wellington was an increase in the number of black silk hats seen on the side walks and a littlo stir in the vicinity of tlm Assembly Buildings ; the hurrying to anH fro oi officials with black bags • and th« knots of press-men, of whom there ia an nn precedented number in Wellington, and who gathered together in twos and threes tn discuss the situation.

Major Atkinson was seen about, lookinefresh and cheery. Mr Mitchelson apnea,! worried and ill. lr "

Choosing Seats-Mixing of Parties,

The members who had arrived from North and South foregathered together in the House over tlio choice of seats. These are considerably mixed. Mr Stout has taken his place immediately behind the bench formerly and still occupied by Mr Peacock on the right centre, with Sir George Grey just behind him and in front of the Maori members. Mr Hobbs had been laying him self out for a seat near the Maoris, to keen them well in hand, but 'ivas forestalled Mr Shcehan being away, tho coaching of the Maori members will fall between Sir George Groy and Mr Hobbs; and the latter was particularly attentive to the wife of Te Ao to I _, the new member for the Western Maori District, on the way down from Auckland in the Hinomou-no doubt acting on the principle that the way to govern the husband's vote is through his better-half Among other noticeable changes in seats is Mr Hurst's removal to a seat by tho door^ formerly occupied by Mr F. A. Whitaker. Mr Dargaville has changed his bench to one in line with and near Mr Stout. Mr Thompson, the new member for City North, occupies the place made celebrated by tho orations of the departed Hutchison, while Messrs Moat and Lake have taken a front seat together near Mr Shrimski. ThefourWestCoast members sit side by Bido on Mr Seddon's old bench. No order is observed as to political colour' Ministerialists and Oppositionists, Vcgolites, Greyites, and Ormondites, being blended in happy harmony.

The Opening Ceremony,

At two o'clock, all selections being made the members of tho Houso filed into the Legislative Council, where the venerable Sir William Fitzherbert, with his brother Commissioners, were standing on the dais near the Speaker's chair, waiting to receive them. Thero was a very thin attendance of tho members of tho Council. The celebrated "bar" was not setup, but the members of the Lower House crowded in at the door and stood in a knot, hats in hand, .while the Clerk read the Governor's commission. Sir William Fitzherbert then announced that it was usual for His Excellency to announce in a speech tho business for which ho had convened Parliament together, but it would be necessary for them first to elect a gentleman from among themsolvos to fill tho important office of Spoaktr, ond thoy would withdraw into their own Chamber for that purpose. The Council would be adjourned for one week. The Swearing-in.

Members now filed back through the broad now lobby into their own Chamber, and the clerk proceeded to call over the roll alphabetically andswear them in, in batches. Sir Julius Vogel, Mr Richardson and Mr Ormond did not answer to their names. Messrs Cadman and Locke are the only two Auckland members absent. Tliis rather tedious ceremony enabled new members to acquaint themselves with the personal appearance of old members, and vice versa.

The large majority of members are middleaged, but a few very young men, like Dr. Nowman and Mr Fitzherbert, of Wellington, and Mr Samuels, of Taranaki, are noticeable

Election of Speaker.

The ceremony of electing the Speaker produced three very excellent little speeches. Mr Fulton, who had been chosen by the Government to propose Suy G. M. O'Rorke, spoke of his urbanity *_£.'■" courtesy, the dignity with which he had j fulfilled the office, and his suavity even when giving decieions that might be contrary to their wishes. Mr Macandrew, in seconding, referred to the fact that he had fulfilled the same pleasant duty three years ago. He considered it a fortunate circumstance that they had so experienced a parliamentarian as Sir G. M. O'Rorke, seeing that they had many now members in the House. New Zealand had been fortunate in its choice of Speakers. They had prevented the occurrence of scenes like those that were reported in some of the adjacent colonies. He (Mr Macandrew) had sat under all the New Zealand' Speakers, and could say that none had filled the office with more dignity and success than Sir G. M. O'Rorke.

A pause was made for further nomination, but none being made, Sir G. M. O'Rorke arose and spoke very impressively of tho gravity of the Speaker's duties anS his responsibility to members. He. would endeavour to discharge those onerous duties faithfully, honestly, and impartially. He depended on the generous sympathy and co-operation of members. At the elese of Sir G. M. O'Rorke's speech Messrs Fulton and Macandrew conducted him to the chair.

In returning thanks fer the honour, Sir G. M. O'Rorke enumerated the Speakers of the New Zealand Parliament and their length of service. No predecessor, he said, had been elected more than twice, while this made the fourth occasion on which he had received this honour from the House. The Premier congratulated Sir G. M. O'Rorke on his election, and in doing so, said as Speaker he had raised the character of the House among colonial Legislatures. Mr Montgomery also echoed the congratulations of preceding speakers. Mr Macandrew, half rising from his seat, here 3aid ho had forgotten ono thing. They had on the wall of the chamber (pointing to it) an oil painting of Sir Charles Clifford, the first Speaker. They would liko to havo sido by side with it the portraits of other Speakers. (Loud applause.) Mr Macandrew went en to say that ho understood that the painting Had been presented to the House by Sir Charles Clifford when he gave them the maco. ' He thought perhaps the other Speakers would follow the good example. This broad hint convulsed the House with laughter, amid whioh Sir Maurice wits understood to say that ho would not forget the reminder.

Major Atkinson then moved the adjournment of the House, intimating at the same time that on the following day ho would be prepared to say what course the Government proposed te pursue. The House then adjourned.

(ll\* TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION,)

Wellington, this day. The Waitemata Election Validated.

The Waitemata election has been validated by an order in Council published in the " Gazette." yy