H.—ll

2

Mr. Speaker elect is congratulated, and the House adjourns.

Mr. Speaker presents himself to the Governor, who approves of the choice of the House.

Mr. Speaker lays claim to the privileges of the House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker reports his approval.

During remaining term of Parliament, Mr. Speaker holds a Commission, authorising him to administer oath or affirmation.

Business interrupted to enable Member to take oath or affirmation.

New Members introduced.

Vacancy in the since of Speaker during a Session.

When Speaker does not claim privileges.

Unavoidable absence of Speaker.

Absence of Speaker and Deputy-Speaker.

the Mace (which before lay under the Table) is laid upon the Table. 17. A Member, having congratulated Mr. Speaker elect, then moves "That the House do now adjourn " ; and some other Member having also congratulated Mr. Speaker elect, the House accordingly adjourns till tomorrow. 18. Before the next meeting of the House, > Mr. Speaker elect, attended by his proposer e and seconder, presents himself to the Governor for His Excellency's approbation: and the Governor signifies his approbation of the choice of the House. 19. Mr. Speaker then, on behalf of the > House of Representatives of New Zealand, lays claim to all their privileges ■ and especially to freedom of speech in debate; and to free access to His Excellency whenever occasion may require it; and that the most favourable construction may be put on all their proceedings. 20. The House being met, Mr. Speaker reports that he had waited upon the Governor, who had been pleased to approve of the choice the House had made of him to be their Speaker. 21. During the remaining term of the Parliament Mr. Speaker holds a Commission from the Governor authorising him to administer the oath or affirmation to Members. 22. If any Member desires to be sworn in or to make the affirmation at any time a debate or other business is interrupted, and he is called to the Table for that purpose. 23. New Members returned after general election are introduced to the Table between two Members, and presented to Mr. Speaker. 24. When the office of Speaker becomes vacant during a session of Parliament the House proceeds forthwith to the election of a new Speaker, according to the accustomed forms. 25. When the Speaker so elected is presented for the Governor's approbation he does not lay claim to the privileges of the House. 26. Whenever the House shall be. informed by the Clerk at the Table of the unavoidable absence of Mr. Speaker the Chairman of Committees is to perform the duties and exercise the authority of Speaker in relation to all proceedings of the House, as Deputy-Speaker, until the next meeting of the House, and so on from day to day, on the like information being given to the House, until the House shall otherwise order; provided that if the House shall adjourn for more than twenty-four hours the Deputy-Speaker shall continue to perform the duties and exercise the authority of Speaker for twenty-four hours only after such adjournment. 27. If at any time both the Speaker and the Chairman of Committees shall be absent, the House, upon being informed of the fact by the Clerk at the Table, may, upen the Motion of a Member of the Government, call upon any Member to take the Chair of the

House as Acting-Speaker during the absence of the Speaker. 28. When, in pursuance of either of the two last - preceding Orders, the DeputySpeaker or an Acting-Speaker performs the duties and exercises the authority of Speaker, every act done and proceeding taken in or by the House shall be as valid and effectual as if the Speaker himself had been in the chair.

ll.—Opening of Parliament. 29. On being summoned to attend the Governor in the Council Chamber, Mr. Speaker, with the House, goes up there to hear the Governor's Speech. 30. Mr. Speaker and the House then retire from the Council Chamber; and, Mr. Speaker having taken the Chair, the House may then adjourn during pleasure. 31. Before the Governor's Speech is reported to the House by Mr. Speaker some' Bill is read a first time pro forma. 32. Mr. Speaker reports that the House had this day attended the Governor (or had been in the Council Chamber at the desire of the Commissioners for opening Parliament), and that His Excellency was pleased to make a Speech to both Houses of Parliament (or that the Commissioners had made a Speech to both Houses of Parliament), of which Mr. Speaker says he had, for greater accuracy, obtained a copy, which he lays upon the Table of the House. 33. The said Speech having been laid upon the Table, notice of a Motion for an Address in Reply to the Governor is given. 34. The Address to His Excellency conveys the thanks of the House for His Excellency's most gracious Speech to both Houses of Parliament at the opening of the Session, and is moved in the form in which it is proposed to be presented to His Excellency, but is not necessarily a reply to His Excellency's Speech, paragraph by paragraph; and the House agrees to the same with or without amendment. 35. When an Amendment is proposed, the Debate is confined to the subject-matter of that Amendment, and the general rule of relevancy applies, unless the Amendment be treated by the Government as a vote of Want of Confidence, in which case the fullest latitude of debate is accorded. 36. The Address in reply to the Governor's Speech is ordered to be presented to the Governor by the whole House.

111. —Proceedings on the Prorogation and Further Prorogation of Parliament. 37. When Parliament is to be prorogued by the Governor, after a Session for despatch of business, a Message is brought from the Governor, desiring the attendance of the House. Accordingly, Mr. Speaker, with the House, goes up to the Chamber of the Legislative Council; and, if there be any Money Bills awaiting the Royal assent, Mr. Speaker, in presenting the same, addresses His Excellency concerning the Bills passed

Acts of DeputySpeaker and Acting-Speaker validated.

Mr. Speaker, with the House, goes up to the Legislative Council.

House retires, and adjourns during pleasure.

A Bill read pro forma.

Mr. Speaker reports the Governor's Speech.

Motion for an Address ia answer.

Form of Address.

Address agreed to.

When Amendment to Address is proposed.

Address to be presented by the whole House.

Prorogation by the Governor in person.