1956 OLYMPIC GAMES

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27990, 9 June 1956, Page 2

1956 OLYMPIC GAMES

ACCOMMODATION IN MELBOURNE ARRANGEMENTS MADE FOR VISITORS There appeared to be considerable misapprehension in New Zealand about arrangements for the accommodation of visitors to the Olympic Games in Melbourne, said a letter to ‘‘The Press” from the director of accommodation of the Melbourne Olympic Civic Committee (Mr M. J. Harkins). When Mr John Cochrane, a Melbourne publishers’ reoresentative. returned from New Zealand recently he told Mr Harkins that the impression in the Dominion was that accommodation was very difficult and that there might be unexpected rises in tariffs during the games. “I would like to assure you that there is amnle accommodation available for visitors,” Mr Harkins wrote. Tt fell into two categories hotels and guest houses and private homes. There was a pool of accommodation in suburban hotels and guest houses of good medium standard, with tariffs ranging from £1 10s to £3 a day for bed and breakfast. There had been a good response to a request for householders to take paying guests. Every home was inspected to ensure that it was of adequate standard, and charges ranged from £1 to £1 10s a day for bed and breakfast. The committee was endeavouring to allot bookings according to the business, social, and sporting interests of both rarties, and there were application fofms which provided the details. There was no price control in Australia regulating charges, but the committee was unaware of any tendency ♦o exploit Olympic Games visitors, Mr Harkins said. Tariffs had already been fixed with householders, who had come forward as a national gesture and were not likely to take advantage of visitors to Australia. Mr Harkins added that his committee was concerned about the tardiness of many prospective visitors in requesting accommodation bookings. Early application was essential if the best arrangements were to be made or* behalf of ptosnective visitors.