PREPARATIONS FOR AUSTRALIAN REP. RUGBY MATCH

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 12, 15 July 1949, Page 5

PREPARATIONS FOR AUSTRALIAN REP. RUGBY MATCH

Extensive preparations to handle the expected large crowd, which is likely to centre on Whakatane next month to see the Bay of Plenty - Australian rugby match are now being made by the Whakatane Rugby Sub-Union. Areas for parking have ben set aside and special seating accommodation is being constructed.

The first game to be played at Whakatane by an overseas team the cost of preparation has been enormous and will mean a big drain on Union funds. However, the Union is making an effort to raise the necessary finance to meet the expenses. Financially the game is going to be a loss to the Whakatane SubUnion but officials are keen to have the game in the town in an effort to improve rugby and increase interest in the sport in the district. The contract for the seating has already been let and work is expected to start next week. Stands to accommodate the press and broadcasting officials are planned while for the' press additional facilities will be provided. So that a description of the game can be transmitted all over New Zealand and direct to Australia while play is in progress a teletype machine is to be housed directly behind the press stand. Parking for cars is presenting a problem. Vehicles will be kept off Domain Road near the main entrance to the ground. However, parking will be allowed on side streets and on the old Domain fields. A certain number of vehicles will be allowed on the main ground. Special Bus Parking

Buses operating from Whakatane will have special parking space in Francis Street while buses from other centres will all park together in a special area set aside on the old football fields.

A crowd numbering many thousands is expected to see the game on that day, with man£ people probably travelling from as far away as Waikato and Thames Valley. The Australian team will not be playing in either of these two districts.