GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NEW ZEALAND.

Taranaki Herald, Volume II, Issue 97, 7 June 1854, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NEW ZEALAND.

The proceedings of the General Assembly had been, up to the date of our advices by the Nelson, principally confined to matters of form. Legislative Council. The Legislative Council in conformity

with the Proclamation, met on Wednesday the 24th ult. , All the Members were pre! sent except the Hon. Mr. Petre, and (; ap . tain Bellaihs. The oath of allegiance having been administered by the Chief Justice, the Speaker '(W. Swainson, Esq., At-torney-General) addressed the Council, and informed the members that His Excellency tho Officer administering the Government had been pleasrd to appoint him Speaker of the Council'; and having read the 4 commission authorising him to assume the office, concluded by stating that it would be his pride and pleasure to discharge its requirements in such a manner as might tend to justify the choice, to uphold the character of the Council, and to promote the interests of the colony at large. The Speaker having read the 1 Proclamation calling the meeting of the General Assembly. Mr. Whitaker moved the appointment for the Session of a Committee to bo called " The Standing Order's Committee," to consist of the Speaker, Mr. St. Hill, Mr. Bell, Mr. Seymour, and Mr. Whitaker. The motion was put and carried — and the Council adjourned until Saturday, the 271h of May, at 2 p. m: House of Representative?. The members of this- branch of the Legislature assembled at noon on the 24th of May, Mr. Carleton in the chair. After some discussion, and agreeing a deputation, to his Excellency praying the postponement of the opening of the Asiembly until Friday, the 26th May, the House adjourned until that day at 1 1 o'clock, then to meet for the election of Speaker. Friday, May 26. The chairman read the Bth clause of the Constitution Act, which requires that the House at its first sitting shall proceed to elect a Speaker ; and Mr. Bartley, in an eulogistic address, proposed Charles Clifford, Esq. Mr Fitzgerald seconded the motion. Besides the experience Mr Clifford posessed from his similar position in one of the Provincial Councils, he believed that the love which Mr Clifford entertained for the institutions under which they had met, would influence him in conducting the deliberations of that house so as to reflect credit on the country to which he was so strongly attached. The motion was put from the chair, and carried unanimously. Whereupon Mr Carleton rose and; said— " Mr Clifford, I have much pleasure in leaving the chair, and in congratulating you, as well as this house, on your appointment." A vote of thanks' to Mr. Carleton for his manner of conducting the business as preliminary chairman was passed unanimously, and the House Hdjourned until one o'clock to learn his Excellency's pleasure respecting tho choice of the House. On tne House reassembling the clerk!announced a Message from His Excellency confirming the choice made by the House of a Speaker, also a second message stating 1 his Excellency's intention to address the members of the Assembly on the opening of (he Session, on Saturday the 27 ih inst. We are obliged to postpone Until our next; the further proceedings of the House,

The 24th of M^y being the Anniversary of Her Gracious Majesty's Birth, was as usual set apart as a holiday. The day, however, proved unfavourable, but none of the accustomed demonstrations of loyally were w&ntinp;. The Levee of His Excellency Colonei Wynyard, as Officer administering the Government, was numerously attended including the Members of the General Assembly recently arrived from the Southern provinces, as well as representatives of all classes, and of both races, of Her Mnjesty's Subjects in the Auckland district. In the evening a Ball was given by His Excellency on a scale of large and liberal hospitality. At noon on the 24th ult. the Members of the Legislative Council and of the Houso of Representatives met in their respective chambers in the new buildings recently erected as a home of Assembly, and tho Oath of Allegiance was administered to the Members by the Chief Justice. His Excellency's address on the opening of the Assembly was not delivered until the 27th ult. and will be found in our present issue. The importance of this document and the space that it occupies must be our [excuse for, postponing many interesting matters in the papers before us, and also others of local interest. A brief account of the early proc?e<lmgs of the two chambers will be found }n an,i other column.