REPORT.

The Select Committee of the House of Representatives, appointed June 17, 1856, to consider and report upon the best mode of carrying out the Resolution adopted by the House on the 14th instant, relative to the securing correct Reports of the Speeches made by Honorable Members of this House, report as follows : — Your Committee unanimously recognize the importance of the subject referred for their consideration and report; although they do not so entirely agree as to the practicability of giving effect to their wishes. Without, however, any desire either to exaggerate or underrate the difficulties in their way, your Committee have regarded them as obstacles which it has resolved to deal with practically, with a view to their removal if possible. The first enquiries of your Committee were naturally directed to the labours of a Select Committee appointed during the Ist Session of this House on the same subject; expecting to find in their Report some valuable suggestions. These enquiries, however, were entirely unavailing for any such purpose, as they merely disclosed the fact, that no minutes had been preserved, nor any report ever brought up. The attention of your Committee was next directed to parties connected with the local press ; to whom a statement was made of the general views of the Committee, and an application for any practical suggestions thereon. It is only just to state that these applications met with prompt attention; and the opinions of 'vanous persons, connected with the local press, will be found embodied in an appendix to this Report. A comparison of these suggestions with the opinions and experience of the individual members of your Committee has led them to offer to your Honorable House the following recommendation :— 1. lhat a sum not exceeding £800 should be authorized, by resolution of the House, to be expended, to aid in the production of correct reports and their publication during the ensuing Session. 2. That the necessary arrangements be entrusted to Mr. Speaker and a Press Committee. Your Committee concludes by expressing their opinion that there is no just ground for apprehension that the independence of the Public Press will be in any way impaired by the authorized and paid publication of accurate reports. WILLIAM FITZHERBERT, Chairman. Committee Room, House oj Representatives, July 1, 1856.