$15,000 ESTIMATE ACCEPTED Chch To Get Davis Cup If N.Z. Chosen

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31498, 12 October 1967, Page 15

$15,000 ESTIMATE ACCEPTED Chch To Get Davis Cup If N.Z. Chosen

If the inter-zone Davis Gup final between India and South Africa is given to New Zealand, it will be held at Wilding Park.

The secretary of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association (Mr D. R. Massam) notified the chairman of the association (Mr M. C. Healey) yesterday that Wilding Parte had been chosen as the venue for the tie in preference to Auckland.

Both provinces were originally asked to provide estimates of possible gate takings before the decision was reached. Canterbury’s estimate was $15,000 for the three days, almost ' twice as high as that entered by Auckland.

Mr Healey said yesterday that his association anticipated a gate of $15,000. “There is no question at

this stage of a guarantee,” he said. “If our estimation is wrong we would be faced with the loss, which could be considerable. "However, we think we will make the grade. It will be a struggle but we cannot let an opportunity like this slip through our fingers. We hope that the public of Christchurch will support the tie.” Negotiations were still continuing but it seemed very likely that the fixture would come to Christchurch, Mr Healey said. Mr Massam had been informed that both India and South Africa were very

interested in coming to New Zealand provided terms could be agreed. Spain and Japan were other countries mentioned as possible venues for the match. The dates Canterbury had suggested for the tie were November 4,5, and 6, he said. Canterbury had based its estimated gate on an attendance of 3000 on each of the three days play. This was not unreasonable when it was considered that a fixture of this type held overseas would draw between .9000 and 10,000 a day, Mr Healey said. The size of New Zealand's population was against this being achieved but he felt sure that many people would come down from the. North Island to watch the matches. “Wilding Park is ideal for a fixture of this nature,” he said. No alterations would be necessary, although some temporary seating would probably be provided around the centre courts, Mr Healey said. India, which has the choice of ground, has no diplomatic relations with South Africa and has agreed to play the tie in a neutral country. Christchurch was the venue of the only Davis Cup final played in New Zealand 56 years ago. This was the 1911 challenge round in which Australasia beat the United States, 5-0, at Lancaster Park.