Local news: The traditional March lion was abundantly evident in the weather with which the present month was ushered in on Thursday last. The snowfall of Thursday and Friday, while not exceptionally heavy in this neighbourhood, is reported to have reached over 18 inches in many places and pretty generally demoralized the railway service throughout the county.

Mr. Jos. B. Smiley has been appointed agent at Clarke’s Station on the P.P.J. Railway where a telegraph apparatus has been recently put in.

The welcome intelligence of the relief of Ladysmith reached Shawville about 8:30 on Thursday morning by telegram to Mr. W.B. Crawford, station agent and that gentleman lost no time in circulating the news. Our loyal little town began to give way to an outburst of enthusiasm, which feeling became manifest in short order by a generous display of our national colours in all quarters. The citizen who had no “Union Jack” to unfurl to the breeze, felt that was unfortunate but he made up for this deficiency as well as possible, by otherwise demonstrating his condition of mind in the most approved fashion. The boys were bound that the day which marked so momentous an event in the history of the South African war, should close in a befitting manner. Accordingly after the arrival of the train, the citizens possessed themselves of the news contained in the daily papers. The members of the band who were available mustered at the Pontiac House and discoursed patriotic airs from that elevated position for nearly an hour.

On Saturday morning, “Commodore” Ritchie telephoned THE EQUITY to state that the wave of enthusiasm consequent on the relief of Ladysmith had reached the little town of Bryson and that the event was duly celebrated by hoisting the “Old Flag” and firing a royal salute.

Some time ago, a move was set on foot by the residents of Upper Thorne Centre to have the name of that village and also the post office changed to Ladysmith. The post office department consented to the change and fixed upon the first day of March for it to take effect. The birth of the new Ladysmith therefore, by a happy and singular co-incidence, dates concurrently with the relief of its beleaguered namesake in South Africa, the third auspicious event in the great conflict to which all eyes are at present turned.