THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT. THE OPENING CEREMONY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2105, 28 June 1894, Page 18

THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT. THE OPENING CEREMONY.

(From Oub Own Correspondent.) Wellington, June 21. Glorious weather, perfect in its Bunny serenity, greeted the beginning of the twelfth Parliament of New Zealand. Sharply at fivo minutes before the time of summons the electric bells of both Houses rang, and we fell "into our places—first to the Council Chamber to learn what the commissioners representing vice-regality might have to Bay. The Bombre shades of the Council did not find much favour with the public, and the proceed iogs were tame to dulness. The senators made a goodly muster, and the commissioners were Battorially perfect—the Speaker, as chief, preserving admirably the outward dignity of the man. Presently, the nature of the intended f auction having been announced, the Usher of the Black Rod—a gentleman of abnormal height and elimness, with a bald head and long black staff somehow Buggestive of billiards—departed in search of those in "the other place." They came—a quietmannercd crowd. First Ministers, near them those of their nearest following, and then a goodly array of the new men, distinguishable by the air of cariosity they bore in examining their new surroundings. Meßt conspicuous figure of all was the burly form ef the Premier, clad in such plainness of garb that almost suggested contrasting with the Treasurer (Mr Ward), w&o, in immaculate raiment, looked " as fresh as a bridegroom." After a little space President Miller, having told the Commons why he had summoned them, commanded that they proceed from whence they came and elect a Speaker, and thereafter upon the following day present that dignitary'to his Excellency the Governor. This we forthwith proceeded to do, and found the " other place " filled as to the galleries with a curious public of all sorts and conditions. The space reserved for the political woman particularly was full unto the brim, and if absence of colour can be taken as an indication of her seriousness of intent, then was she in earnest indeed, for, save a splash of crimson costume upon a baby girl, the **f rocking " was of a most sober hue. Members being in their places, Mr Friend, the Clerk of the Assembly, took charge of the House and proceeded to swear hon. gentlemen. This they did with varying aspect of demeanour —some with diffidence, many with the air of old and hardened offenders. Sir Robert Stout and Messrs Collins and Earnshaw declined to make oath, and were permitted to affirm their intention to loyally serve her Majesty. The roll being signed we got to the event of the day, when Mr Saunders, of Selwyn, the Nestor of the House, rose in his place, and, with almost pathetic earnestness^ proposed Sir Maurice O'Rorke for the high office of Speaker of the Assembly. His heart was in the duty he had to perform, and it was well done. Who could speak indeed with such knowledge as he, for had they not, Sir Maurice and he, been almost without interruption members of that House for 33 years P They were indeed the sole survivors of the stirring days of 1861. As seconder came Mr W. Kelly, who, if not eloquent, was earnest and brief. Then the Premier, in better chosen words than is his wont, made clear the desire of the Government, expressing in forceful words his hope that Sir Maurice would again preside over the councils of the country. By this time it became clear that the whole force of the Government influence was with the candidate first proposed, and that he must be elected. But the friends of the late Speaker were determined upon a trial of strength, and in a chore and not very striking speech Mr HallJones proposed Major Steward, and in Mr Earnshaw he,found a seconder, who spoke to the purpose but did not waste words.- Then the candidates expressed their sense of the honour their friends desired to confer upon them and their sense of the great responsibilities of the high office they aspired to—both good speeches, that of Major Steward especially ringing clear, sincere, and true. Then came the crucial test, and as memberß rising from their places swayed almost in a body to the Ayes' lobby there could not remain the slightest doubt where victory would alight, and presently, by 45 to 19 voices, Sir Maurice, amid loud acclamation, was made Speaker of the new Parliament. Tbe following is the division list :— Ayes, 45.—Messrs Buchanan, Buick, Button, Cadman, Carncross, Oarnell, Carroll, ColHds, Crowther, Duthie, Graham, Guinness, Hall, Harris, Hogg, Houston, J. W. Kelly, W. Kelly, Lang, T. Mackenzie (Clutha), Mackintosh, Massey, M'Gowan, M'Guire, J. M'Kenzie (Waihemo). R. M'Kenzie (Buller), M'Lachlan, Meredith, Millar, Mills, Montgomery, O'Regan, Parata, Pinkerton, Reevts, G. W. Russell (Riccarton), W. R. RußSell (Hawke's Bay), Saunders, Seddon, Stevens, Steward, Ward, Willis, Wilson. Noes, 19.—Messrs Allen, Bell, Buddo. Duncan, Earnshaw, Flatman, Hall-Jones. G. Hu'chison (Patea), Jojce, Maslin, M'Nab. Newman, O'Rorke, Pirani, E. M. Smith, G. J. Smith (Christchurch), Stout, Tanner, Te Ao. No pairs were recorded. Felicitations from leaders of both sides followed, tho Premier for the Government and the Hon. Captain Russell for tbe Opposition, which beiDg responded to with grateful diguity by Sir Maurice, which scunded very like a benediction, we were dismissed, each to his business or bis inclining, many to the lobbies, some to Bellamy's, and all to dinner.