Colourful Scene in the Rain

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7268, 22 September 1933, Page 8

Colourful Scene in the Rain

CROWD SHELTERS UNDER UMBRELLAS Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night. Notwithstanding rainy weather, the customary colourful scene was provided by the formal opening of the third session of the 24th Parliament of New Zealand by Lord Bedisloo this afternoon. The vice-regal party, consisting of their Excellencies, Sir Cecil Day (Official Secretary to the GovernorGeneral), Lieutenant Thomson, A.D.C., and Captain Tweedie, A.D.C., loft Government House at 2.15 p.m., their departure being signalled by a salute of 19 guns fired from Point Jerningham by the Royal New Zealand Artillery. On arrival at Parliament grounds, where largo crowds had assembled, many taking shelter under umbrellas, His Excellency was met by Major-Gen-eral Sinelair-Burgess (General Officer Commanding New Zealand Forces) and Commodore Burges Watson. The combined band’s of H.M.S. Dunedin and Diomede played the first bars of the National Anthem, after which His Excellency inspected a guard of honour provided by tho New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy, while Lady Bledisloc, accompanied by Sir Cecil Day, was received by the Clerk of Parliament (Mr. Kane) and conducted to her seat on the left of the dais in the Legislative Council Chamber.

After inspecting the guard of honour, Lord Bledisloe entered Parliament Buildings, -where he was met by the Black Rod (Mr. A. T. Bothamley). His Excellency then proceeded to the Legislative Council Chamber, preceded by senior officers of the Army, Navy and Air Force.

On entering the Chamber, Lord Bledisloe took his seat on the dais and after causing the Black Rod to summon members of the House of Representatives, delivered his Speech from the Throne.

At, the conclusion of the speech, His Excellency left Parliament Buildings and th,e bands again played the first bars of the National Anthem.