A long debate, lasting till the dinner adjournment, followed, Messrs Larnach, Ballanoe, Seddon, and others speaking at length. The general tenor of their re marks was that a Committee should be appointed to inquire into the matter. The firet business set down for the evening sitting was the second reading of the Property Assessment Aots Amendment Bill. Prior to going on with the debate on the Bill the Premier announced his desire that the House should adjourn upon rising till 7.30 on Monday evening, for. consideration of Government business. Tbis gave Mr Larnach a handle to move an «menduent that the first business on Monday evening should be the considers tion of the appointment of a Committee to' enquire into the Ward-Hielop aff*ir. The Premier fired up at this, and declared angrily that the Government would take the amendment as a distinct motion on tUe part of the Opposition traversing the policy of Government. He proceeded to denounce the waste of time in discussing this subject day after day, and apoke of it as "a trumpery case." (Cries of "Oh, 0h. ,, ) "Let us come to an issue at qince/ , he said, "If the Government are not fit to deal with this case of Ward's, then turn us out of office. Wβ have been accused this afternoon of being entirely unfit, to deal with this case. Sit, the Government mean to deal with this case in the ordinary course of business, and they don't intend to allow a Committee to be appointed. We will allow no other business to be gone on with until this business' is disposed of." Mr Baliance replied in a tone much warmer:than hie wont, and was followed; by various other membere. At nine o'clock, after the shortest debate, on record on a no-confidence motion, the question came to a division, which resulted /A, the amendment being lost by the narrow majority of 4, the figures being 40 to 36. 'i here was loud clapping from the; Opposition when the iesultwaa announced.; It is said that there wae a<listincfe majority pledged to vote for the appointment of a Committee, but when it was made a Minis terial question the weak-kneed gave way, and voted with the Government.
