OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume II, Issue 165, 22 June 1894, Page 3

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

The Speakership. Sir Maurice o’Rorke Elected. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, This Day. The first session of the twelfth Parliament was opened by Commission yesterday afternoon in tho Legislative Council Chamber. About twenty Councillors and forty Members of the Lower House were in attendance.

The lion. H. J. Miller, Speaker of the legislative Council, having read the Commission, stated that hie Excellency would be pleased to attend that Chamber on the 22nd, to-morrew, and deliver his speech to Parliament. He then directed Representatives to retire to the Lower Chamber and elect a Speaker.

The Members of the Lower House then withdrew to the Chamber, where they were sworn in in batches of four by the flrand Clerk of the House in the presence of crowded galleries. On the completion of the swearingin ceremony the House proceeded to the election of the speaker. Sir Maurice ()’Kork was nominated by Mr Saunder and seconded by Mr W. Ki lly. Major Steward was proposed by Mr Hall-. Jones, and seconded by Mr Earnshaw.

Mr Seddon supported Sir Maurice O’Korke’s election on the ground of seniority and general fitness for the office, stating that the high name held by the New Zealand Legislative throughout the Australian colonics was due largely to the efforts of Sir M. O Rorke in the chair in past years. Both noininei a made ehort speeches and said the election would leave no bitterness on either side. Major Steward disclaimed having canvassed for office, and said he had never asked any member for his vote. The division resulted in the election of Sir Maurice O’Rbrke by 45 to 10. Tin two candidates voted for each other. The House then adjourned till 2.15 to-day.