1Auckland Hospital is closing some wards in an effort to reduce the workload on its nurses. All non-urgent admissions have also been cancelled.

2The Minister of Social Welfare, Ann Hercus has made a flying visit to the flood stricken area around Te Aroha - although she could not land there because of fog. She handed over a $100,000 cheque to the Thames Valley Relief Fund.

3A huge land slip has blocked the coast road from Whangarei to Russell at Helena Bay which will take several days to clear.

4There is still industrial pollution on the foreshore of the Rosebank peninsular, despite moves to get local councils to police the problem.

5Results from the snapper tagging programme last year show that the fish move around a lot more than scientists thought.

6Police Five 1. An $9,000 electronic drum kit was stolen from a car in Onehunga, just one of five in the country. -- 2. A small brown suitcase with burglary equipment inside is in the hands of the police and they want to know who owned it. -- 3. One man has been arrested over the Birkenhead Foodtown robbery last October one is out on bail and a third is awaiting extradition from Sydney. Police also want information on a spade found with the proceeds of the burglary-- 4. One man has been arrested over the post office armed robbery on Mangere and police are searching for two associates. -- 5. Police are looking for George Henry Slater (Jim Slater) missing from Tirau. -- 6. Police 5 deputies.

7Rock Star Neil Young says Shadows guitarist Hank B Marvin was his earliest influence, and Dylan Taite met the Shadows on their recent New Zealand tour.

8Farewell to Top Half Editor John Harris, and welcome to new editor Colin McRae.