Government Too Soon With Giveaway Funds - The Government has denied it has stepped in too early with a bail-out plan for the Gisborne millennium concert. The collapse of the show including David Bowie and Split Enz has prompted to inject $1 million of tax payer funds for a free concert with Dame Kiri TeKanawa and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. The Gisborne organisers are complaining that their event is still not dead and buried. Millennium Minister Murray McCully says a plea by the Gisborne mayor for Government assistance for the event prompted the approval of funds.

Southland Blaze Under Control - Southland fire fighters are finally gaining control of a blaze in Mataura which has been blazing for more than three hours. Fire fighters from as far away as Invercargil were called to help fight the fire. The cause of the explosion which ignited the blaze is under investigation.

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