<B>May Day special. </B>The country was in thrall to May Day madness yesterday as political parties appropriated an event meant to recognize the toil of the world?s workers. The Labour party organized a meeting in Vacoas, the MMM in Rose-Hill and MSM in Port Louis. Father Grégoire?s Fédération pour le rassemblement des créoles mauriciens also hosted a meeting in the afternoon in Rose-Hill while trade unionists held their do in Beau Bassin.

<B>Bus fares to go up by 25%. </B>The minister of Public Utilities, Rashid Beebeejaun, in reply to the opposition leader?s Private Notice Question (PNQ) last Tuesday stated that government is studying a rise of up to 40% on short rides and 22% on long ones. The new fares should take effect as from next Monday, when the report of the National Remuneration Board on a salary review of bus employees also becomes effective. The cost of the trip from Victoria Square to Immigration should increase by Rs 3 and that of longer trips by Rs 5, and this should not take into account air-con buses.