Local news: Mr. John B. Ralph of Bryson has the contract for building the several stables, sheds, etc., on the exhibition grounds and began the work last week.

Mr. W.D. Armitage has been re-engaged as principal of the Portage du Fort model school.

Mr. George Klock went up by train on Thursday night with a gang of men for the E.B. Eddy Company’s Coulonge limits.

One hundred and nineteen invalided Canadian soldiers disembarked from Steamer Lake Ontario at Quebec on Friday last. Thirty thousand enthusiastic citizens were on hand to welcome the brave fellows, who with few exceptions appeared to be in the pink of health and spirits, glad to reach home once more.

Hon. Dr. Borden, Minister of Militia, sailed for England last week with the object, it is rumoured, of receiving knighthood at the hands of the Queen.

An examination of the whole course of the recent hail storm in Torbolton and Fitzroy reveals the fact that the damage to the growing crops was much greater than at first reported. The township of Torbolton was chiefly affected, only a corner of Fitzroy suffering. It is said that 3,500 acres of the very best agricultural country was covered with hail from one to two inches deep, all growing crops being injured, while the grain was entirely destroyed.

The Canadian apple crop will equal that of 1896. Ontario alone will yield twelve million barrels of good fruit.

The grain of all kinds seems to be a good crop in Otter Lake and the harvest is turning out well.

D. Gillies, Esq., M.P.P. and his son who had been up to their company’s limits, arrived at the Otter Lake House Friday, leaving for the Bay the same evening, accompanied by Mr. W. Moore.