Another S!aj» for the Siovoruuieiii, In the House last evening the Government Loans to Local Bodies Act Amendment Bill was taken in committee. Clause 10 (in creasing the power of the Government to Lorrow from i/iO'VO'l to .t' , 2;>0,000 per annum; caused coushlerable discussion, but the clause was eventually passed by 31 to 17.—Mr Bell moved a uow clause having for its object the prevention of the recur rence of the seizure of the local bodies' sink inr.' funds.—The Premier opposed the clause, as beine; a slap at the Government, and said if it were carried it would likely be made a subject of attack on them during the coming elections.—Several members contended that thei-e was no desire to embarrass the Government, but merely to secure the safety of the local bodies' loan sinking funds for the future.—After a lengthy debate the clause wa.3 rejected on the casting vote of the chairman, the division-list being as follows :

Pairs.--For the new clause: "(J. J. Smith, Millar, V.anvshaw, Stout. Against: To Ao, Guin ness, 11. Mdvenzie, Parata.
The Government only averted defeat on the point by the temporary absence from the Chamber of Mr M'Guire and Mr Bell. Some minor amendments were made, and the Bill was reported. lit'putatioiiH to the Premier.
