1Farmers in the Gisborne region face a $22 million bill for flood damage caused by the weekend's storm. The Government has promised immediate aid for the region.

2The storm that hit the Chatham Islands on the weekend has been described as the worst in fifty years. At least six houses, eleven fishing boats and the main fishing wharf were all damaged in the storm.

3National Party President Sue Wood has confirmed that party funds have been used for private loans. However, attempts by Tamaki Electorate Chairman Dr Ian Shearer to have the matter discussed at today's party conference were blocked. Despite the loans issue overshadowing the conference, National Party delegates say they are satisfied that the party is on its way back to power.

4Sixty-one Auckland bakers today defied a High Court judge and refused to return to work. They have been on strike from the Irvine Bakery Company for six weeks, seeking a pay rise.

5The Northern Firemen's Union has given fourteen days notice of a strike which will affect permanently manned fire stations between Taupo and Whangarei. They are demonstrating their dissatisfaction with the Fire Commission's plans to help thirty-six men still suffering illness following the Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) fire in Mount Wellington in December 1984.

6Another dispute has developed over water rights for hydro-electric development on the Clutha River. Dunedin-based group Environment Access Incorporated want the National Water Authority to overrule the recommendations of the local catchment board granting water rights for the development of the Luggate Dam.

7Prime Minister David Lange thinks the Ouvea, the yacht sought in connection with the Rainbow Warrior bombing, has been sunk. A short, informal service was conducted at Marsden Wharf for the Greenpeace ship and its deceased crew member, Fernando Pereira. Part of the service was conducted in Maori and was aimed at lifting the tapu on the site.

8Kampala is reported to be quiet this evening after two days of looting and sporadic gunfire by soldiers involved in yesterday's military coup.

9The number of Black South Africans being held in Police detention has risen to nearly 1200, after a weekend of further violence. Nobel Peace Prize winner, Bishop Desmond Tutu says many of South Africa's young Blacks are rejecting his pacifist methods and are prepared to die in their cause of destroying apartheid in South Africa.

10Twenty-three year old Southland woman Ann Crawford is about to become the first New Zealander to undergo a heart/lung transplant operation.

11The National Band of New Zealand has won the brass band section of the World Championships in Holland.

12Taniwharau, a Maori cultural group from Waikato, led by the Maori Queen, Dame Te Atairangikaahu has left for an overseas trip to perform at an international folk art festival in Austria.

13The Minister of State Services, Stan Rodger was given a stormy reception today, when he addressed the Post Office Union's annual conference.

14An Air New Zealand jumbo jet made an emergency return to Christchurch Airport this evening after experiencing bird strike just after takeoff.

15All Black Murray Mexted is to marry former Miss Universe Lorraine Downes in February 1986.