HOUSE OF REPEESENTATIVES.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1541, 20 May 1882, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPEESENTATIVES.

Thursday. Tlio House lllCt at 2 p.m. On the members re-assembling iv the House, the commission was read authorising Major Campbell to swear in members. The following members were then sworn : — Messrs C4eorge, Hurst, Mitchelson, Peacock, Grey, Dargaville,Swauson, O'Rorke, Hamlin, Oadman, Whyte, Morris, Whitaker, Johnston, Bryce, Watt, Kelly, Stevens, Beetham, Atkinson, Wilson (Foxton), Trimble, Levin, Buchanan (Wairaiapa), Hutchison, C. Johnston, Levestam, Hursthouse, Connelly, Sncpherd, Dodson, Mclllwraith, Fitzgerald, Rolleston, Pilliet, White, Holmes, Montgomery, McMillan, Postlcwaite, Steward, Sutton, Turnbull, Shrimski, Macandrew, Dick, Blacken, Green (Dunedin), Seaton, Barron, Rutherford, Thompson, Feldwick, Daniels, Mason, Tawhai, Tomoaua. Mr Wason (for Wnkanui) and Major Harris (for Franklin) were called, but did not appear. ELECTION OF SPEAKER. Major Atkinson addressed the Clerk of Pai liament, and moved that Sir Or. M. O'Rorke be elected as Speaker. He referred to the f.ict that he had held the position on previous occasions, and bore ample testimony to the highly efficient manner in which he had discharged the duties appertaining thereto. Mi' Macandrew, as one of the oldest representatives in the new Legislature, expressed the pleasure it afforded him in seconding the nomination. He cordially endorsed all tlmt had been said as to the manner in which Sir G. M. O'Rorke had already discharged the duties. Indeed, he considered it was a fortunate thing, both for the Legislature and the country, that they had such a one to place in the responsible position. Mr Levestam expressed regret in having to oppose the motion. He boie testimony to the excellence of Sir G. M. O'Rorke's personal character and conduct, but in an unhappy moment he had forfeited the many claims he had established to their confidence, by the action he took in connection with the passing of the Representation Bill, last session. He argued from the record in Hansard, that the action taken by the Chairman of Committees on that occasion was due to the influence exercised by Sir G. M. O'Rorke as Speaker. Moreover, Sir G. M. O'Rorke had himself in 1875 adopted exactly similar proceedings to those so severely condemned by himself in 1881. He believed, however, that Sir G. M. 0' Roi ke had acted merely on an error of judgment and excess of fear. He spoke as a matter of duty to his constituents in condemning Sir G. M. O'Rorke's past action, but he was not piepared to go the length of offering any more active opposition. No other candidate was> named. SirG. M. O'Rokkl',, Speaker, fiom the floor of the House, said lie had sat'n that House fora peiiod of 21 years, and he had had the advantage of all the experience to be gathered from such a lengthened term, and the example of those who had preceded him. It was impossible, however, that a Speaker could at all times command the approbation ot all paities in the House. Still it had all along been his endeavour to hold the balance of justice equitably as between all parties. On being conducted to the chair by Major Atkinson and Mr Macandrew, he, standing on the steps of the chair, returned thanks for his election, and spoke in defence of Parliamentary Government, and asked the members to aid him in upholding its prerogative. Mr. Kelly and Mr. Hutciiixsox both spoke in congratulatory terms upon the election of Sir G. M. O'Rorke, the latter adding that he hoped steps would be taken for amending their standing orders, so as to avoid repetition of the difficulties of last session to \v Inch one of the previous speakers had jusfc alluded. At 3.15 pm. the House adjourned to 1.45 p.m. to-morrow.

Friday. Wellington, Last Night. Parliament was formally opened by the Governor to-day. There was a very large attendance of the public. On returning to the House, several new members were sworn. Reports of the election petitions from the Judges were then read and ordered to be entered on the Journals. Mr Turnbttll drew attention to the peculiar circumstances of the Stanmore election case, intimating his intention to move for a committee to consider whether relief from the penalties should not be given to Mr Pilliett. Major Atkinsox moved for new writs for Franklin North and Wakanui, but admitting that the circumstances of the Stanmore case were exceptional. He said that in order to give the House time to consider them he would refrain until Thursday from moving for new writs. Notice of the usual sessional committees was given and the following bills :—: — Indemity and West Coast Peace Preservation Bill (Bryce); a Bill to Enable the People of New Zealand to Make Changes in their Constitution as Seem Fit (Grey) ; Law Practitioners Amendment Bill (Grey) ; Deferred Payment Purchasers Relief Bill (Grey) ; Eight Hours Labor Bill (Green) ; Liability of Employers Bill (Green) ; Pensions Bill (Shnmski). Mr Peacock gave notice to move the Address-in-Reply. The House adjourned till Weduesday.

A fashionable young lady at a social gathering remarks jestingly to Gilhooley : " I wonder how much I would bring if I . was pot up at auction and sold to the highest bidder ?" " Just about £300." " Why my Jewellery alone is worth that." " Yes ; that's what I put down at my estimate." j Bishop Beinkbms of the* old Catholic „ Church of Germany, has issued a long pastoral in * relation to his* recent visit s to >England,'> praising * the, ;. hospitality and kindness of several prelates of the Anglican Church and the liturgy.asuniting "in itself all the elements ,jind parts of ' the historic Catholic ritual. 1 '