TOUR BY EMPIRE ATHLETES

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26031, 7 February 1950, Page 6

TOUR BY EMPIRE ATHLETES

CHRISTCHURCH VISIT

SPORTS COMMITTEE’S ARRANGEMENTS

“This is a very big thing for Christchurch. It will give athletics a boost for the Centennial Games next year, and will let us prove that we can run things just as well as Auckland,” said the Deputy-Mayor (Mr J. N. ClarkeX, who presided at a meeting of representatives of Christchurch sporting bodies held last evening to discuss arrangements for the visit of the party of 100 British and Canadian athletes from. February 20 to February 23. Cr. Clarke appealed to Christchurch residents to offer billets for the athletes, ana said Department of Internal Affairs had promised to provide travelling expenses during their stay in Christchurch. The Centennial Sports Committee, which has been asked by the Christchurch City Council to take over the arrangements, drew up a programme at an emergency meeting yesterday morning. The programme was approved by the meeting last evening. The athletes will be met on their arrival on Monday, February 20, and taken to their billets. They will have the evening free. On Tuesday, February 21, a big athletic sports meeting will be held at Lancaster Park, audio the evening there will be swimming events at the tepid baths, and wrestling, boxing, and weight-lifting at the King Edward Barracks, if they are available. On Wednesday the athletes will be conducted round the city, and the Canterbury Park Trotting Club, will be asked to put on a few trotting races for the visitors during the afternoon. A cycling meeting win be held at English Park on Wednesday evening. Cr. Clarke said that about 200 men would be put to work on English Park immediately to get, it in order in time. When it was suggested that Tuesday should be declared a half-holiday m Christchurch, Cr. Clarke said he saw no reason why it could not be done. The Centennial Sports Committee would take charge of all finance and gate-takings, and would allocate the profits to the various sports bodies It was not a money-making concern, however, and they did not want • the J charges to be too high, he said. The manager of the Scottish boxing team advised that none of his boxers would fight New Zealanders, but that exhibition bouts would be staged. Appeal for Billets The Public Relations Officer to the Christchurch City Council (Mr T. H. Langford) said that the appeal for accommodation was an urgent one. i People would be required to accom-| modate the athletes, from the evening of February 20 to the morning of February 23. Those offering billets should advise him, and state whether they would take men or women, as both would be included in the party. English, Welsh, Scottish, and Canadian athletes will attend.