In conversation with a Daily Times reporter yesterday, a well-known Dunedin medical practitioner, who is taking a keen professional interest in the local prevalence of infantile paralysis, stated that so far more than 40 cases had occurred in and around Dunedin.
It was probable that there were other cases which had not yet come to the notice of the authorities. So far as could be ascertained there were two distinct localities of infection. One was in an area extending from St David Street to Hanover Street, and from Cumberland Street to Lake Logan. In this area six cases had occurred.
The other was at the other end of town, and was not so well defined, cases being dotted about the Flat from Caversham to St Kilda. In quite a number of houses in which the disease occurred, the undue prevalence of the common house fly had been noted, and it was more than probable this was the true carrier of the germ of the microbe.
The doctor thought strong efforts should be made to destroy these dangerous household pests. The health officer has suggested the use of a small handful of pyrethrum powder on which had been poured a few drops of methylated spirits.
• Like a good many other local bodies the Portobello Road Board has a fairly lengthy stretch of roadway to keep in repair, and at almost every meeting there are requests for two or three times the amount of metal that the board can pay for out of the present rates.
During the past year or two the board has, in common with the rest of the community, found that the increased cost of labour and consequent disbursements for its employees has, together with the extra cost of most other things, seriously affected the spending power of the board in respect to procuring supplies of road metal on the basis of the present rating of the district.
At yesterday's meeting of the board several members favoured the raising of a loan for the purpose of putting the roads in good order, and it is probable that the ratepayers will be called upon shortly to sanction or negative the proposal. Failing the permission necessary to raise a loan, it is quite on the cards that the board will have to consider the propriety of raising the rates in the district.
• Stewart Island's popularity as a tourist resort may be gauged by the fact (the Southland News states) that some 1440 passengers have gone across in the tug Theresa Ward this summer. This is a record for the season so far as it has gone. The tug's bi-weekly service will terminate on the 11th inst., when the ordinary weekly service will be resumed.
Wellington fishermen are said to have been having a profitable harvest lately, and big catches have been recorded. On Monday, three boats, line-fishing in Cook Strait, hauled in 1200 hapuka and hake, this being a record catch.
• There is evidently a scarcity of labour in the Mataura district, and with the prospect of the coming harvest the position is somewhat acute. This was brought forcibly under the attention of the high school authorities during the past week.
Those who are in touch with the present education system (the Ensign states) are aware that the percentage of passes for free places in secondary schools has not been as large this year as in former years ... it is known that fully half a dozen boys in the district who have passed the Standard VI examination and gained proficiency certificates are unable at present to take advantage of a course at the high school owing to the scarcity of labour, in consequence of which they have to remain at home to assist in the farm work. - ODT, 6.2.1914.
