Staff Reporters

FOODLAND has confirmed that it is in constructive discussions with Metcash in relation to Metcash's current offer for Foodland as well as considering other structural alternatives.

International consulting firm SRK Consulting has recently appointed four people to its Perth office.

Code: ARW Issue price: $1.00 Principal activities: Biodiesel production.

National Australia Bank Limited Group ceased to be a substantial shareholder.

Credit Suisse First Boston (Australia) Holdings Ltd became a substantial shareholder with a relevant interest of 4,500,000 ordinary shares (11.67%).

FMR Corp increased its relevant interest from 8,000,000 ordinary shares (5.05%) to 9,938,984 ordinary shares (8.27%).

Has entered into an agreement to acquire the majority rights to a major uranium exploration portfolio situated in Namibia.

Draft and finalised consolidation-related tax rulings and tax determinations. Five draft TDs (TD8-12 /2005) added 11 May 2005. http://ato.gov.au/distributor.asp?doc=/content/49800.htm

RADIO station 6PR has continued to win back sections of the Perth radio audience with the latest Nielsen radio ratings revealing percentage point increases in all timeslots and an increase in its shar

Edith Cowan University vice-chancellor Professor Millicent Poole will retire at the end of the year.

International business improvement expert Phillip Slater is presenting two workshops for local businesses, May 19 and 20 at the Hotel Grand Chancellor.

Proposed code: CDZ Issue price: $0.20 Principal activities: Gold, silver and metal based projects.

Aymen Pacific Pty Ltd became a substantial shareholder with a relevant interest of 34,520,000 ordinary shares (11.49%).

Peter J Newton changed his relevant interest from 32,935,001 ordinary shares (16.47%) to 35,935,001 ordinary shares (14.83%).

Is to take up an exclusive global commercialisation licence for a new patent protected Substance Abuse Testing technology.

Has secured a new ship repair contract for the use of its “Dry Underwater Welding Technology” to repair a Liberian registered bulk coal carrier.

A puppeteer and a specialist anaesthetist have shared a $10,000 scholarship that will enable them to promote Western Australia as a conference destination.

AFTER the recent delivery of its vessel True North, Austal has confirmed the signing of two new contracts for the construction of similar vessels to be configured for private and charter use.

Leong Chan has joined law firm Minter Ellison as an associate in the property services group.

Code: BMN Issue price: $0.20 Principal activities: Nickel exploration.

Perpetual Trustees Australia Ltd ceased to be a substantial shareholder.

Guina Developments Pty Ltd became a substantial shareholder with a relevant interest of 9,000,000 ordinary shares (5.37%).

Bell IXL Investments Ltd increased its relevant interest from 4,535,464 ordinary shares (15.42%) to 4,827,738 ordinary shares (16.42%).

Has commenced proceedings against Excalibur and Strata in the Federal Court of Australia claiming damages from them for breach of the agreement and the guarantee respectively regarding the sale of its

Subsidiary, Organic Resource Technologies Ltd will be going to the private equity market to raise up to $12 million.

New inspectors for wage compliance

The Master Plumbers and Gasfitters Association of Western Australia has appointed Peter Higgins as executive director.

LOCAL listed pharmaceutical company Biopharmica has announced successful results from work conducted by the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR) on a cancer gene.

Proposed code: WTR Issue price: $0.20 Principal activities: Expanding water market for the treatment and purification of potable and waste water.

Merrill Lynch & Co Inc became a substantial shareholder with a relevant interest of 16,058,850 ordinary shares (6.98%).

Peter G Cook changed his relevant interest from 32,558,000 ordinary shares (16.28%) to 35,558,000 ordinary shares (14.67%).

1,332,724 ordinary fully paid shares will cease to be restricted securities on 25 May 2005.