By WILLIAMS, David Half a metre of rain is forecast for the West Coast over the next few days, continuing August's wet and wild weather for the South Island into a new month.

By FRASER, Bruce om Te Anau MILFORD SOUND residents could be hoarding petrol as the shortage in the remote community bites. Allied Petroleum ceased selling petrol from its self-service pumps at Milford on August 1 after its eftpos card readers were superseded by a new, more expensive unit.

By NINNESS, Greg NEW ZEALANDERS' appetite to invest directly in public transport infrastructure could be put to the test within the next year.

By NORDQVIST, Susie and; FRASER, Bruce ONE person is dead and another is seriously injured after a head- on crash between a tour bus and a van near Milford Sound yesterday afternoon.

By WILLIAMS, David Police investigating a fatal crash on the Milford Road highway on Sunday believe a mini-van driver lost control in the wet conditions and crossed the centre line, slamming into a stationary bus.