REPORT.

Tiie Select Committee of the House of Representatives, appointed "to prepare a Congratulatory Address to Her Majes'y, on the Achievements of Her Majesty's Forces, and those of her Allies, in the present War," beg leave to report that they have agreed to the following Address :— To the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty. May it please Your Majesty, "We, your Majesty's faithful subjects, the Commons of New Zealand, in their House of Representatives assembled, humbly desire your Majesty to accept the assurance of our devoted loyalty to your Majesty's throne and person. This Colony is among the youngest and most distant of any in your Majesty's dominions. But wo may perhaps without presumption, declare that none of your Majesty's faithful subjects can feel a warmer interest in whatever befals the mother country. So we have watched with lively sympathy the progress of the war in which your Majesty is at present engaged : we have felt deeply for the inexpressible sufferings of your Majesty's troops; we have beheld with admiration their heroic endurance ; and have exulted at the frequent and brilliant triumphs of their active valour. And now we venture to offer to your Majesty our earnest congratulations upon the fall of that great fortress which had so long resisted the efforts of the Allied Armies. The whole Empire drew a freer breath as the great tidings were announced; and at the distance of half the globe we shared in the general joy. That it may be consistent with the will of the Almighty Power on whom depend the issues of all human events, that continued successes may secure a peace beneficial to our count] y and to mankind, is the hearty prayer of your Majesty's faithful Commons of JSew Zealand. E. W. STAFFORD, Chairman. Committee Room, House of Representatives, May 22, 1856.