Ceremony, but shortage of pomp

Wellington, June 17: The ceremonies connected with the opening of Parliament were continued to-day, shorn of some of their customary splendour by the fact that his Excellency the Governor-General had, during the morning, been seized with a sudden and serious attack of lumbago, and could not attend in person to read the Speech from the Throne. A large and expectant crowd was therefore deprived of the spectacle attending the arrival of the Vice-Regal car, the Royal Salute, the brilliant uniforms and other features usually looked for on such occasions. His Excellency’s bodyguard, consisting of 100 cadets from the Wellington College was, however, present, and was supported by the 1st Regimental Band. These were inspected by the Hon F.J. Rolleston (Minister of Defence), accompanied by General Young. The smart appearance of the lads created a fine impression.

This function over, the Members of the House of Representatives were summoned to the Legislative Council where the Commission, consisting of Sir Walter Cairncross, Sir Heaton Rhodes, Sir Frederick Lang, Sir William Hall-Jones and the Hon D.H. Guthrie, acted for his Excellency.

The Speaker, Sir Walter Cairncross, directed Black Rod to summon the members of the other House. The latter presently came with the Speaker, the Hon C.E. Statham, at their head, supported by the Sergeant-at-Arms (Major F. Browne) and the Clerk of the House (Mr E.W. Kane). Members took their seats under the main gallery without regard to Party. As an instance of this it was noticeable that Mr Holland, Leader of the Labour Party (now the Official Opposition), occupied a seat among the Ministers, being sandwiched in between the Hon W. Nosworthy and the Hon A.D. McLeod. The attendance of Legislative Councillors was about 30. 

The last one to take his seat was Sir James Carroll, who arrived, hat in hand, displaying the huia feather of the leader among his Native people.

A little unrehearsed incident marked the arrival of the Commons. Black Rod, after making obeisance (in triplicate, as the legal writer would have it), moved aside to his own place of temporary 

obscurity. Mr Speaker of the House, at the head of his invading ranks, paused, looked surprisedly around, moved half a pace forward, and stopped, the Sergeant-at-Arms and the Clerk of the 

House remaining stiffly at attention. No chair had been placed for Mr Speaker to sit upon. The omission was remedied, and the current of events resumed.

Sir Walter Carncross announced that as a result of the Governor-General’s indisposition the Commission had been directed to perform the opening ceremony and read the Speech from the Throne. The Royal Letters Patent authorising this proceeding was then read by the Clerk of Parliament.   

Bridge building closes road

Bruce County Council has advised that the Main South road between Crichton and Lovell's Flat will be closed to-day to all traffic during the erection of the new bridge over Lovell’s Creek at Mr P. Boyd’s homestead. 

Traffic going south will take the road leading to Kaitangata as far as the cross roads, and then by the road leading past the Lovell’s Flat Railway Station to the Main road. 

Notice boards declaring the road stopped to all traffic, and direction cards pointing out the detour roads, will be erected where the traffic is diverted from the Main road, and direction boards at the cross roads at Halpin's corner. — ODT, 18.6.1926