Local news: Mr. J.A. Gillies, agent for that firm, was in town last week looking after the purchase and engagement of teams for the shanties.

A thaw which threatened to leave the roads in a bad condition occurred on Sunday. But Old Boreas altered this disagreeable prospect during the night.

We notice in the columns of the Pembroke Observer an advertisement calling for tenders for the erection of stone piers and abutments at “The Narrows”, the site for the proposed new bridge at Portage du Fort. It is gratifying to know that the government has at last taken action in this matter which in the public interest, has certainly been delayed too long.

An incipient fire occurred in a shed adjoining Mr. Jas. McArthur’s shop on Thursday afternoon last, which was happily discovered just in the nick of time to prevent serious consequences. In an incredible short time, a bucket brigade was on hand and extinguished the blaze, which is supposed to have started from an ash barrel.

Perhaps householders have noticed that the price of coal oil goes steadily up. This is due to the fact that the Standard Oil Company has obtained practically a monopoly of Canada and is putting on the screws. A western paper says the higher rates mean an increased charge to the average family in Canada of $4 per year.

Dispatches from the seat of war this week indicate that General White had a pretty hot time of it on Saturday last holding his own at the beleaguered town of Ladysmith, which old Joubert seems to have made a determined effort to reduce.