1There is to be a Commission of Inquiry to look into the deaths of three patients at Middlemore Hospital following claims the deaths were linked to severe staff shortages.

2A report from Washington says United States President Ronald Reagan has agreed to review his Government's cancellation of military exercises with New Zealand.

3The Human Rights Commission has declared its general support for the Homosexual Law Reform Bill.

4Dozens of farm advisers from throughout the South Island moved out into drought-stricken regions of north Otago and south Canterbury to advise farmers on how best to overcome the effects of the drought. Wells on many south Canterbury farms have run dry, forcing families to bring in water and shower with friends.

5Timaru By-election New Zealand Party leader Bob Jones has formally launched his party's by-election campaign.

6The Government says there is no chance that full details of the new Goods and Services Tax (GST) will be announced before the Timaru by-election.

7Groups representing unemployed workers have been told they must consult the Government if they expect Government funding.

8Prime Minister David Lange and his wife have objected to a plan to build a Tongan Church in their Mangere neighbourhood.

9Doctors who have joined the Government's General Medical Services Scheme will be allowed to charge more for seeing children from 1st August 1985.

10The Ministry of Transport (MOT) has warned that it is watching for any signs of illegal car racing over the next few weeks.

11Seven babies have been born to a Californian mother who was taking fertility treatment. One baby was stillborn and the remaining six have been given a fifty percent chance of survival.

12Victorian Police are puzzled by the death of a three-year old Melbourne girl who was fed only water for a month.

13A seas erch off the New South Wales cost has failed to find a West German yachtsman, whose yacht broke up in wild seas.