Local news: Mr. Joe Dolan of Rattray House, Portage du Fort, while crossing the river on Saturday morning on the way to Haley’s, broke through and had considerable trouble in saving his horses.

The skating rink was open for the first time this season on New Year’s afternoon. The boys report that Ad had the rink in pretty good condition.

A Christmas Tree was held at Thorne West on Friday evening, the 22nd inst., at which there was a large attendance and a most enjoyable time for everyone present, especially the children, to whom the tree was an object of particular interest and delight.

The Christmas Tree held in St. Andrew’s Church, Campbell’s Bay on the 26th was a grand success. The roads being in good condition, the house was well fitted. The tree looked quite bright and pretty when the candles were lighted.

On Tuesday last Mr. J.R. Brennan, roadmaster of the P.P.J. and G.V. railways was presented with a coon coat at his residence in Ottawa by the agents of the two lines.

Latest advices from the seat of war are to the effect that Col. Pitcher’s troops defeated a hostile force at Sunnyside near Orange River, taking the Laager and capturing 40 prisoners. Also a confirmation of the report that Gen. French defeated 7,000 Boers in a fight at Colesburg.