PARLIAMENT.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 306, 25 June 1898, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

(BY TELEGRAPH.— PRESS ASSOCIATION), Wellington, Last Night. Fop, the first time for some years the weather on the opening day of the session was unpropitious, a southerly gale was blowing with drizzling rain. The attendance of the public, outside, consequently, was not large, but the galleries were all well filled, as usual. Only 16 members of the Upper House, and 43 of the Lower House were present to hear the Governor's speech, theRotomahaua, which is bringing up a contingent of Southern members, not having arrived in time. Lord Ranfurly, was dressed in the same uniform as ; on the last oceasion, and the Countess was present on the floor of the Chamber, which, as usual, was crowded by ladies. • The Wellington College Cadets formed a guard of honour, and salutes were fired by the artillery both upon the Governor's arrival and departure. The session opened to-day is the third sitting of the thirteenth Parliament. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met at 3.15 p.m. royal visit. ' A despatch was read from the Secretary of State for the Colonies relative to the invitation of both Houses of Parliament to the Duke and Duchess of York to visit New Zealand, and on the motion of the Minister for Education the same was entered on the journals of the Council. NEW COUNCILLORS. The appointments of Messrs Lee Smith, Twomey and Tomoana bo the Council were announced by the Governor's message. LEAVE OF ABSENCE, Leave of absence was granted for the session to Col. Whitmore. LATE MR GLADSTONE. The Hon. Mr Walker moved that the Council place on record its appreciation of the life-long services rendered to his country by the late Mr Gladstone, and express sympathy with Mrs Gladstone and her family iu their bereavement. The motion was carried unanimously. ADDRESS-IN-REPLY.; Mr T. Kelly gave notice of motion, on behalf of Mr Lee Smith, to move the Address-in-Reply. FORMAL BUSINESS. The Minister for Education gave notice of his intention to introduce certain Bills and also appointing the usual Sessional Committees, The Council rose at 3.45 p.m. HOUSE OE REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.55 p.m. CLERK OF THE HOUSE. The Speaker intimated that the Clerk of the House waa absent through illness, and had been given two months', leave of absence, which he felt confident the House would approve. Mr Ottersen, the clerk assistant, would in the meantime take Mi- Friend's place, and Mr Rutherford, the second clerk assistant, would take up Mr Ottersen's duties. The Premier expressed . his approval of the Speaker's action in the matter, and endorsed the appreciation, which he had expressed as to Mr Friend's long and valuable services. He hoped after consultation with the Speaker, to be able to announce in a few days the appointment of a permanent officer on the staff of the House. f X Capt. Russell agreed with all that had been said in reference to Mr Friend's services. As regards the appointment of a permanent officer of the House, lie hoped the Speaker would take the matter entirely into his own hands. THE BY-ELECTIONS. ;' The acting clerk read the statutory notices concerning the election of Mr Duthie for Wellington and Mr McNab for Mataura. ' NOTICES OP MOTION. A number of notices for the next sitting day were tabled. LATE ME GLADSTONE. The Premier Tnoved a resolution in reference to Gladstone's death and in recognition of his services as a statesman. Capt. PtUSsellEeconded the motion, which was carried. The House then rose. , . To Waikato Farmers. What about the sugar beet? : You all should cultivate the root! If you haven't a shoe upon your feet, Buy Salmon's Lighthouse Boot.; A, E. Manning's Eucalyptus Cough. Mixture is the best preparation obtainable for the cure of. Coughs, Colds, Asthma,,Bronchitis, Influenza, etc. Is Gel and 2s Gel pet- bottle.