Congress Bookings Pouring In

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31579, 17 January 1968, Page 1

Congress Bookings Pouring In

Not even the mail strike in Australia can prevent enrolments pouring in for the fortieth congress of the Australia and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science, to be held in Christchurch from January 24 to January 31.

More than 1000 Australians have enrolled, instead of the 500 at first expected, and cables continue to arrive.

More than 2500 were expected to attend the congress, said the chairman of the association’s publicity committee (Professor W. B. Johnston) yesterday. “It is up to 2300 at the moment, and this is a bit of a surprise, as there are still many New Zealanders, and particularly Christchurch people, who have still to enrol. There will certainly be more than 2500 people before it starts. “We estimate the Australians alone will spend $250,000,’’ he said. “Already we have provided more accommodation than we guaranteed. We have provided 1400 beds in Christchurch and more will be available at motels when the others who left their enrolment too late finally arrive.”

Professor Johnston Mid that all the main Christchurch hotels and .halls of residence, including Lincoln College, had been MUy booked long ago. Special bus services would be run from Cathedral Square to

Ham, as normal services could not hope to cope with the numbers.

“Ham will be full to overflowing. There will be real pressure on the available space. The lecture rooms will be right up to capacity and the laboratories have been cleared to provide more space.”

At first it was hoped to get 2000 to the congress, and then 2500, but now it seemed almost certain there would be more still, said Professor Johnston.