Wellington, Aug 13

Fire engines and ambulances raced to Parliament Wednesday morning after a white powder scare in the Beehive.
A spokesman for Prime Minister Helen Clark said several people were examined after an envelope with the powder in it was opened on the eighth floor, but they did not appear to have suffered any ill effects.
The eighth floor houses the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, and some of Miss Clark's staff have offices there as well.
Miss Clark's office is on the ninth floor, but she was not there this morning.
The spokesman said the eighth floor had been evacuated and was being decontaminated.
No other floors were evacuated.
The envelope is understood to have been opened by one of Miss Clark's staff but the spokesman would not confirm it was addressed to the prime minister.