General News

Infantile Paralysis Four additional cases of infantile mrilvsis and two suspected cases, were reported to the Health Department in Christchurch yesterday. There was also one death, a boy aged six years The latest victims, all reported from Christchurch, include a man 4.1 years old. The others were a girl of three and two boys, one aged 13 and the other six. One of the suspected cases, a girl aged five, was reported in the city, the other (a girl of 14) from Kaikoura. Matches in Wellington

Some surprise has been expressed by Christchurch persons visiting Weilington recently to find no difficulty in buying matches. Almost every tobacconist, it is reported, supplies matches regularly with other purchases, and some Wellington residents have stated that they can obtain regularly several boxes, sometimes even a packet, from their grocers. Erection of Stables Two applications for permission to erect stables were granted by the Christchurch City Council last evening. In one case the Devonvale Dairy Farm, which delivers milk by horse transport, asked for a permit to erect temporary stables near Halton street and, in granting it, the council decided that it should be for the duration if the war only. In the other case the application was granted for two separate stables, each 10ft by 12ft, ;n Wychbury street. In this case it was stated by the town planning commi*tee that the nearest residence would be 120 ft away. Cr. H. P. Donald said it would be necessary to see that the by-laws were strictly obeyed so that there was no fly nuisance. Loss of Rates

Attention to the loss of rates caused by an arrangement whereby the Crown is exempted from paying rates on properties which are not tenanted was drawn by the chairman of the finance committee of the Riccarton Borough Council (Mr C. G. McKeliar) last evening. Numerous accounts came before the council to be written off, on the recommendation of the council solicitor. Mr McKeliar pointed out that of the amount in question, more than' £I4OO would be lost in rates on Crown properties. American Teams’ Visit

The visit of American baseball, wrestling, and boxing teams to Christchurch for the United Nations ‘‘Miss Victory" contest has been arranged by the Miss North America committee. All proceeds from their exhibitions will go to Miss North America. Millerton Mine Idle Claiming that the horses were in such a filthy condition that they would not work them, the boys employed as drivers at the Westport Coal Company’s mine at Millerton refused to take them out of the stables on Friday, and as a result the mine was idle for the day. Officials of the Miners’ Union interviewed the manager, who promised that the trouble would be rectified, and work was resumed yesterday. Army Education Posters

Attractively designed posters urging soldiers to enrol with the Army Education and Welfare Service for courses in such subjects as vegetable growing, carpentry, and book-keeping are now being distributed to units in the South Island. Some of the posters are humorous in their appeal to the soldiers, but all suggest that the men should ask their unit education officer about the educational opportunities provided by the Army Education and Welfare Service if they have the spare time or any special knowledge of certain subjects. Prizes for Sydenham Children A donation of £25 has been received by the committee of the Sydenham School from an anonymous donor to provide for a Composition Trust Fund. Arrangements have now been made for the Public Trustee to administer this fund, which is to provide two prizes annually, one for boys and one for girls, to be contested for by the pupils of the school. Heavy Rail Traffic

To cope with large consignments of coal six extra trains were run between Greymouth and Rewanui on Saturday afternoon, carrying about 900 tons of coal to Greymouth. New Name for Rata Street The view of Professor I. L. G. Sutherland that residents of Rata street. St. Martins, might not like living in a street the Maori name of which meant gossip or scandal was supported by the Christchurch City Council last evening, and it was decided to rename the street Koromiko. After various names had been rejected, “Taiaroa,” the name of a distinguished South Island family, was put forward, but Professor Sutherland, who was consulted by the council, said one of the meanings was gossip or scandal. The street is being renamed to avoid confusion with Rata street in Riccarton. Big Wanganui River Bridge Substantial progress is being made with the reconstruction of the traffic bridge across the Big Wanganui river on the West Coast. Mr E. F. Evans (district engineer of the Public Works Department) stated yesterday that the pile driving is nearing completion and that work has begun on the fourth span. There are only two more spans to construct. Beekeepers Congratulated A resolution passed at a meeting of the Consumers’ League at Rolleston Hall, Linwood, last evening, congratulated the Beekeepers’ Association on the stand they were taking with the Internal Marketing Board. Testing of Motor Vehicles An increase of more than 40 per cent, in the number of motor vehicles tested at the Christchurch City Council station was reported to the council by the traffic committee last evening. The report said that 2276 vehicles were tested last month compared with 1586 in February of last year. The number of warrants af fitness issued last month was 1581, compared with 1006 in February, 1942,