THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF FIJI.
0 The importance of the opening ceremony did not seem to be appreciated by the public of Levuka as much as the occasion deserved ; and very little notice seemed to be taken ef an event of such paramount interest as the first meeting of the first Parliament. The hour of assembling was fixed for noon, and shortly after that time the clerk, Mr H. Freeman, called the House to order. The aspect of the House itself is much improved ; although the picturesque native thatch and ridgepole have been removed, to many eyes the shingling looks better, and it certainly is a better protection against rain, while the inside of the House, with its crimson curtains and carpe<ing, presents rather an imposing coup tVceil. On members taking their scuts they were distributed as follow : — Ministerial benches — Messrs S. O. Burt, E. Hennings, J. C. Smith, W. Hemmings, Sagar Woods, and Thoma3. Opposition — Messrs Hamilton, Ryley, Ireland, Cudlip, Levick, W. Scott, and Wecker. Cross benches — Messrs Butters, Eastgate, Frank Otway, and Haslitt. Messrs Cane and W. R. Scott were absent. — W. Hennings said he wished to propose Mr Butters as Speaker of the House. Carried unanimously. — Mr Woods congratulated Mr Butters on his election. He felt certain that the rights and dignities of the House were safe in his hands, and was sure he would meet with hearty support from both sides of the House. He would beg to inform hon members that the King would open Parliament at 3 p.m. the following day, and would hold a. reception at Q p.m. — Colonel Hamilton, on behalf of the Opposition, expressed his pleasure at Mr Butters' accession to the chair. He was sure both sides of the House would support him in the discharge of his duty, and personally it afforded him great gratification to see tho chair filled by a gentleman of such largo experience. Mr Butters again returned thanks. "Next day the Speaker took the chair at about
three o'clock. — Mr Woods regretted to say that in consequence of an accident to the King's canoe he \vas unable to attend. He (Mr Woods) would therefore move the adjournment of the House until 2 p.m. the following day. — Mr Wecker rose to oppose the motion, but was ruled out of order, and the motion being put was carried unanimously. ___»__»
THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF FIJI.
Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3367, 9 December 1871, Page 3
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