Local News: Mr. R.J. Hamilton, who has been home from the Rouge for a few days, reports that his forwarding operations in that section are proceeding well. There has been some pretty heavy road-breaking to do, as the snow is about three feet deep. Some extremely cold weather has been experienced, the mercury on one occasion falling below 50.

Mr. Arthur Smiley of Wyman section met with a very serious misfortune on Thursday night last when his outbuildings were destroyed by fire with all contents, including 14 head of cattle, 4 horses, 200 bushels of wheat and other grain, hay, etc. also harness and machinery. Mr. Smiley was in Ottawa at the time. When Mrs. Smiley noticed the fire, it was far advanced and by the time assistance arrived, it was impossible to save anything.

Mr. W.H. Tracy of Massey, Ont., an old Yarm boy, was visiting relatives in this section last week and dropped in to have a chat with THE EQUITY. It is nine years since Mr. Tracy’s last visit here and of course, he naturally noted quite a change in the appearance of the village, the result chiefly of the serious fires from which the village has suffered. He says Shawville is much in the same position now as Massey Station, where the hotels were also destroyed by fire and the lack of accommodation is proving a considerable drawback to the place.