DUKE DUCKS DRENCHING

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29992, 29 November 1962, Page 10

DUKE DUCKS DRENCHING

Photographers Turn On Sprinklers (Special Crspdt. N.Z.P.A.) PERTH, November 28. Press photographers tried to squirt the Duke of Edinburgh with water when he was walking toward the New Zealand team headquarters in the Empire Games village today. The Duke was passing one of the many lawn sprinklers in the village when he saw a burly Australian press cameraman bend down to switch it on. The Duke leaped aside and the photographers roared with laughter.

“Don’t turn that damn thing on,” he said. - “No-one will ever believe me, but I didn’t turn on that other water.” This was a reference to the famous “squirting” incident in England some years ago when the Duke is alleged deliberately to have drenched pressmen.

The duke fought a "running war” with press photographers before he reached tihe New Zealand headquarters. Flash Bulbs In the village dining room, where he lunched with six athletes, cameramen crowded round his table banging off flash bulbs from close range. “Take your pictures and buzz off,” said the Duke, as he tucked into filet mignon, peas, biscuits and cheese. The Duke picked up a tray at the servery on entering the dining room and carried his own food to his table One press photographer stood on a chair, waited till the Duke was within a few feet

BAILLIE OUT OF MILE

Physiotherapy Treatment (Special Crspdt. N.Z.P.A.) PERTH, Nov. 28. W. D. Baillie has been scratched from the Empire Games mile race. Baillie tore a muscle during the six miles last Saturday and failed to finish. “This is the most bitter disappointment of my life.” he said today. “I was in tremendous condition. I’ve never made the big time and I thought this was going to be my big year." BaiUie is visiting a hospital daily for physiotherapy treatment. The muscle trouble is deep-seated and is located in his thigh. Lt was suggested that Baillie should have an injection in his leg to get nun through the mile heats, but he heeded the advice of his team management and agreed not to start.

of him, and exploded a flashbulb in his face The Duke pulled a wry face and said: ‘‘Blinded for life.” The Duke frequently flicked bushflies from his face as he walked toward the New Zealand headquarters and was overheard to say: ‘‘Australian flies should be rendered sterile.” “Glamour Girl” Outside the New Zealand quarters, the Duke chatted to the Auckland sprinter. Miss D. H. Porter, who has been voted the "glamour girl” of the Games, and to Mrs V. I. Young, of Christchurch. who won the women’s shot put gold medal on Saturday. “Do you live here?" ae inquired. “I thought you Lived in that Bels.n place.” He pointed to the women ?'th-

PROGRAMME AT GAMES

Changes Cause Annoyance (Special Crspdt. N.Z.P.A.) PERTH, Nov. 28. Programme changes are still causing annoyance at the Empire Games. More than 150 people missed this morning’s swimming events at the Beatty Park pool because their tickets indicated that the day’s session would start at 2.30 p.m. When the alteration was made the times on the tickets could not be changed, and soon after the morning crowd had left the first of the disappointed afternoon ticket-holders arrived. The crowd swelled, until at 2.30 p.m. there were more than 150—and others were still arriving. The pool staff faced many angry ticket-holders, but could not answer questions about whether refunds or seats for another day (Friday is the last swimming session) would be given.

Cycling Championship.— The Western Springs stadium, Auckland, would be the venue for the national hard track cycling championships on March 6. 7 and 8. it was reported at a meeting of the New Zealand Amateur Cycling Association in Wellington.—(PA.)

letes’ quarters, which are surrounded by a high wire fence. Swallowed Fly There was a minor crisis just before the Duke arrived, when Sir Arthur Porrltt, chairman of the Empire Games Federation, swallowed a fly. He was consoled by the New Zealand team manager. Mr C. M. Kay. An hilarious Royal progress ended when the Duke shook hands with New Zealand officials, jumped behind the wheel of his Rolls Royce and drove slowly off. As he did so, water gushing from several sprinklers hit his car. “Who turned those blanking things on?” a team official demanded. The press photographers looked innocent. A small ceremony was held after the Duke had gone, to mark the birthday of R. J. Binning, the New Zealand fencer. Binning was called on to make a speech. “I’m glad." he said, “that you were all able to come—the Duke and everyone."

TWO GOLD EACH

Divers Take Honours (Special Crspdt. N.ZP.A.) PERTH, Nov. 27. An Australian. Miss S. Knight, and an Englishman, B. Phelps, both achieved brilliant doubles in the Empire Games diving competition today.

Miss Knight, a draughtswoman, from New South Wales, came from behind today to win the women’s springboard event. while Phelps was a decisive winner of the men’s highboard competition

On Monday. Miss Knight had taken the gold medal in the women's springboard and Phelps had won the highboard diving

Today, Miss Knight dived magnificently to overhaul the overnight lead held by Miss E Ferris (England) and her own team-mate. Miss L. McArthur.

Miss Knight was trailing by 1.37 points behind Miss Ferris. but she quickly made up the leeway and had established a clear lead after three of the final five points. Her total of 134.72 points was 1 98 better than that of Miss Ferris and 9.59 ahead of Miss McArthur.

Phelps. the European champion and Olympic bronze medallist, was far too good for his opponents. He totalled 168.35 points, 17.35 more than the second man. G. Deuble (Australia).