EMPIRE GAMES VILLAGE

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26018, 23 January 1950, Page 6

EMPIRE GAMES VILLAGE

MORE TEAMS ARRIVE AT ARDMORE

VISITORS IMPRESSED WITH QUARTERS

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, January 22. New life and bright colour were introduced into the Empire Games village at Ardmore on Saturday when teams from the United Kingdom, Nigeria and Rhodesia added their numbers to those which had already takers up residence. Within an hour or two the village, which had hitherto passed from day to day fairly quietly, buzzed with activity, and a glimpse was gained of the busy scene whicn will be witnessed there when the rest of the athletes arrive in the coming week.

Immediately after a reception on Queen’s wharf, contingents from the Tamaroa went in two large buses to Ardmore. The group from Ceylon, which came -in by- flying-boat earlier in the morning, had preceded them, and was awaiting the reception when the buses came to a stop outside the Ardmore administration building. With some of the Canadians, Fijians and Rhodesians looking on, the incoming teams were welcomed in turn by the chairman of the Games organsing committee (Mr C. Rex Moore). Greetings to the entire group were extended by the secretary of the New Zealand Olympic Association (Mr H. Amos) and the manager of the village (Mr T. Wilson).

Dressed smartly in white, the New Zealand swimmers, who will make their official entry to the village on Wednesday, were spectators at the ceremony. After Mr Moore welcomed each team its flag was raised to the top of one of the flag poles and a brief reply was made. The first flag, for Ceylon, took its place beside those of Canada and Rhodesia, and it was followed by the white ensign for England and flags for Scotland. Nigeria and Wales. Above them all the Union Jack and New Zealand flag hung from poles on the administration building. Replying on behalf of the English team, the manager (Mr K. S. Duncan). who is also secretary of the Empire Games Federation, said England had sent one of the best teams she could and it would give a good account of itself in competition with athletes from other parts of the British Commonwealth... Of the trio from Wales which is also under his control, he said that although the team not strong, in numbers, it could be depended upon to give a good account of itself. Competitors Meet

After the welcomes the new teams had morning tea on the lawn near the administration block. Groups from the Tamaroa, having travelled together for weeks, were already old friends, but the informal gathering gave them a chance to meet others. In particular the New Zealand swimmers took the opportunity to make the acquaintance of strangers from overseas.

Enthusiasm for accommodation in the village, which had previously been expressed by the Canadians and by Mr Duncan, was echoed by the new arrivals as soon as they had made an inspection. With experience of other international competitions benmd them, several were quick to appreciate the high standard of the quarters, their value in maintaining the right frame of mind for competitors in training, and their advantages in fostering a happy spirit among the representatives of different countries. Athletes who took part in the last Olympic Games were not slow to make comparison with the accommodation they had in 1948. Above all, they were impressed with the peaceful surroundings in which they could spend their leisure in the coming weeks.

Each of the girls’ rooms was decorated with flowers given by residents of the district. Their first meal in New Zealand also left a favourable impression with the newcomers, particularly those from the United Kingdom to whom austerity meals had become almost an accepted part of life.