PARLIAMENTARY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 9760, 24 June 1892, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY.

[Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, June 23. The third session of the eleventh Parliament of New Zealand was opened at 2.30 p.m., by his Excellency the Governor. There was a large attendance of the public, and the galleries and seats on the floor of the Legislative Council October were crowded with ladies. Thsf 'Countess of Glasgow and her two daughters were present. Fifteen members of the Council attended in their seats, and in response to the summons from his Excellency fortyfour members of the Lower House, headed by the Speaker, put in' an appearance. The usual accompaniments of a guard of honour and firing a salute were observed. The weather, which had been threatening and slightly rainy in the morning, held up and remained fine during the ceremony. His Excellency wore the uniform of a post captain, and was attended by two A.D.C.’s and the Foreign Consuls. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] His Excellency the Governor wore a naval uniform, with white satin shoulderknots on his epaulets j the said knots representing the fastenings of the cloak of the Order of St Michael and St George. The chain and grand cross of the Order hanging round his neck completed the costume of the Governor. He marched up to the throne just like a captain on hia aua.rter-deck, saluting right and left. The Foreign Consuls in their uniforms formed the cortege , end the brilliant uniforms of Captain Hunter Blair and Captain Clayton (Gordon Highlanders and Scots G uards) attracted great attention. Lady Glasgow, who had with her daughters come before, and had been received by the Speaker, who banded her a splendid bouquet, was the cynosure of all eyes. Mora ladies than ever before were present, and the impression made by her Ladyship was something, unique in the Iptar history of Parliamentary openings. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Speaker took the chair at 2.50 p.m. A message was received from his Excellency the Governor, intimating that he had given leave of absence for the session to the Hon C. C. Bowen. The Hon P. A. Booklet gave notice to move on the following day— “ That the Hon W. D. H. Baillio be Chairman of Committees for the session.” The Hon J. W, Baknicoat gave notice to move the Address-m-Seply to-morrow. The Council at 2.55 adjourned till next day. HOUSE OF EBPBESBNTATIVJES. The House met at 2.35 p.m. A message was received from the Legislative Council requiring the attendance of members to hoar the Governor’s speech. THE LATE MB SIACAETHUS. On the House resuming at 2 45 p.m.. The Speaker announced the vacancy for Eangibikei, owing to the death ;of the late Mr Macarthur, an event which he felt would be generally regretted by the House. Mr Eollsbton referred to the Speaker’s remarks respecting the death of Sir Macarthur, and said that gentleman had left behind him an honourable record. Hia loss would be severely felt both inside and outside the House, and hia life, though comparatively short, had been one of moat kindly feelings and usefulness to all around him. The Hon J. Bat.lance said he desired on behalf of the Government to express sincere regret at the untimely death of the late member for Eangetikei. NEW MEMBERS. Messrs M'Lean, Allen and Saadford, the members for Wellington, Bruce and Christchurch respectively, then took the oath and their seats. MR BBTCB’S CASE. Mr W. Hutchison asked for leave to present a petition from Mr Bryce, asking the House to reconsider the resolution of censure passed last session, and that justice might be done to aim. He requested to be heard at the bar of the House. FORMAL BUSINESS. Notices of Sessional Committees were given by Ministers, and a large number of petitions were presented and notices of motion given. Notice was also given of a number of Bills, mostly by the Government. SIR DILLON BELL. The Speaker read a letter he had sent to Sir F. Dillon Bell, the late AgentGeneral, enclosing the thanks of the House for bis services, and Sir Dillon Bell’s reply. THE RUSSIAN JEWS. The Speaker also read a latter sent to the Czar of Eussia’a aide-de-camp, enclosing a petition iu favour of the Russian Jews. Much amusement was caused by the reply, which stated that the official mentioned had no power to receive petitions affecting the interests of the government of Eussia, and politely returning the petition. MR BRYCE’S CASE. Mr Hutchison moved that leave be given Mr Bryce to appear at the bar of the House. The Hon J. Ballance said the motion was somewhat of a surprise, and as many members had not yet arrived he suggested that notice of motion should be given for a future day. Mr Hutchison gave notice for next day. Mr M'Guire gave notice to move on Tuesday —“ That the motion passed last session respecting Mr Bryce, the late member for Waikato, be expunged from the journals of tb<* House.” ADDRESS IN-BBPLT. Mr M'Lean gave notice to move next day an address-in-reply to the Governor’s speech. *The Hon J. Ballance said he should like to state that if the debate on the Addreoia-Eeply were finished nest da

he should bring down the Financial Statement on Tuesday. MINISTERS AND THE GOVERNOR. Mr Eollbston asked the Premier whether it was correct that Ministers had, on two occasions, tendered important advice to the Governor, which advice had not been accepted, and i£ the report was correct, what course the Government proposed to take in the matter. The Hon J. .Ballance said the honourable gentleman should give notice of a question of that kind. Mr Eolleston agreed to give notice, hut regretted that Ministers were not prepared to give an answer to the question at once. The Hon J, Ballance said it was customary when an important question of this nature was about to be asked for some communication to be made to Ministers with respect to it. Mr Eolleston said he should have given notice in the usual way, but he had fully expected that Ministers would have some statement to make with respect to the matter he had referred to. The House rose at 3.50 p.m.