Mr. M'Lean. — Our readers will be glad to learn that Mr. M'Lean returned to the province by the steamer Queen. Though far from being folly restored to his wonted strength, he is yet considerably improved in health. His presence during the present condition of public affairs will be gladly welcomed by the inhabitants, although they would also have been glad could circumstances have permitted of his enjoying for a longer period the relaxation of which lie stands so much in need. We believe it was the news of the Opotiki murder that decided Mr. M'Lean upon returning to the province instead of proceeding to Otago. Defence Fokce. — The discharged members ' of the Defence Force have memorialized the

government for the grant of land which was one of the conditions under which they enlisted; and which is specially referred to in the form of oath they were required to take. Considering the circumstances under which they were discharged, the claim cannot be considered as other than just and reasonable. We are glad to learn that one grievance of which the men have long complained — the want of the month'spay which was promised them — is at length removed, the money being payable on application to Capt. Withers. Wanganui. — Elsewhere will be found the latest news from the seat of war, taken from the Independent of the morning upon which the steamer sailed. Notwithstanding the paragraph in the Chronicle which we extract, there is no doubt of the chief Pehi having submitted. Two hundred natives from Taupo had joined him, i but he sent them back, stating that he was beaten, wished for peace, and was now a Queen's man. He accordingly came down to Wanganui arid took- the oath of allegiance. News ot the battle reported in the Independent as having taken place had not been confirmed at the latest date ; subsequent reports seemed to reduce the wliole affair to a skirmish, and the loss of the .enemy to seven or eight men. The Reoatta day now fast approaches ; and from wh,at we can learn, the matches are likely to be -y^ry good ones. It will be seen from advertisement that the principal stores will be ! shut on the regatta day, and we understand that the banks and government offices will also be closed, An alteration has been made in the j programme, as will be seen from the corrected advertisement in this morning's Herald, The Okitiki Diggings. — From the Nelson Colonist of the 11th inst, we learn that "the Wallaby arrived from the^Okitiki on Wednesday night,,with 1,900 ounces of gold for the Bank of New South Wales, and fourteen passengers, diggers, who had about 100 ounces amongst them. There were 1,200 ounces waiting to be shipped on board the Nelson." The Newspaper Tax. — A Gazette, dated the 9th inst., contains a proclamation abolishing the penny postage on newspapers — such proclamation to take effect on and after Monday next, the 20th inst. We trust that such an imposition will never again be heard of in New Zealand. Exodus from Canterbury. — From the Canterbury Press of the 9th inst., we take the following : — " The stream of travellers to the West Coast is greatly on the increase. To-day upi wards of a hundred must have crossed the Victoria bridge on toot en route to the diggings, and the coaches certainly took as many more. The steamer Wellington also took away 70 passengers intending to proceed via Nelson, and yesterday it was impossible to procure a passage by any of the sailing vessels advertised for the Okitiki. Several small mobs of cattle have also been despatched, and the demand for freight is very brisk. Goods have left town by drays to proceed as far as possible by this means, and it is intended to pack them from the termination of the dray track on to the nearest diggings. Yesterday it was announced that gold had for a certainty been found on this side of the saddle, but we have not been enabled to procure any reliable information as to the precise locality." A Native Contingent. — The Southern Cross, of the 4th instant, thus concludes a long leading article : — Let us send away the troops by all means, we say ; but give us leave also to dispense with the shepherd Government, and to employ a native contingent to settle this war. The work will then be done cheaply and well. It will be thoroughly well done. From the first we have advocated this plan ; we advocate it still ; and believe that in the end it must be adopted. Official Residence. — We understand, says the Independent of the 14th inst., that the Government have completed the purchase of the house and grounds formerly the property of N. Levien, Esq., situated on the Tinakori road, for the sum of £2,950. It will now be the official residence of the Hon. F. A. Weld.