Chch Still Favourite For 1974 Games

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32350, 16 July 1970, Page 14

Chch Still Favourite For 1974 Games

(N.Z.P.A. Staff Correspondent) EDINBURGH. The Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Seath) yesterday reflected the confidence of the promotional group that Christchurch will hold the 1974 Commonwealth Games. At a press conference he said: “We look forward to seeing you in Christchurch in four years time.”

Mr Seath said the New Zealand Government had great confidence in the ability of Christchurch to stage the games.

“We hope to continue this great sporting occasion on the multi-racial basis that we have in our country, he added. ■ “The Christchurch effort to secure the Games is going well. These people are enthusiasts and are really on the ball. We as a Government support their efforts.” FINAL CAMPAIGN

The chairman of the Christchurch promotional group (Mr R. S. Scott) said the group now consisted of 18 people—including Mr Seath, the New Zealand High Commissioner in London (Sir Denis Blundell) and the Mayor of Christchurch (Mi A. R. Guthrey). Today, the Christchurch team begins the final phase of its promotional campaign, which involves a food and wine duel with Melbourne—the other candidate city for the 1974 games.

At a special luncheon for about 70 persons, including delegates to the Commonwealth Games Federation meeting on Sunday which is to decide the 1974 venue, it will serve toheroa soup, whitebait, roast lamb and have available New Zealand wines and beers. The site for future Commonwealth Games may be decided six years in advance—not four as at present This move has been recommended by the executive committee of the federation and will be discussed by the general assembly on Sunday. The change will not affect the decision on the 1974 games. FIRST ON TRACK

The Wellington school-tea-cher, Mrs P. Hunt, will lead off New Zealand’s track and field effort at Edinburgh on Friday. She is the only New Zealander competing on the first day of the athletic events and has been drawn in heat five of the 100 metres sprint Her main opposition will come from the Canadian, S. Berto, who beat Mrs Hunt over 75 metres at the “minigames” at Grangemouth last Sunday. A serious shoulder injury may force the New Zealand diver, C. Buscke, out of the Games. Buscke, of Rotorua, tore his left, shoulder muscles in a faulty dive during training last Saturday.

The injury has kept him out of the pool and has failed to respond to treatment Buscke was again in pain yesterday morning after a special fitness trial under the New Zealand team doctor (Dr Mayne Smeeton). However, Dr Smeeton and Buscke believe he will be able to compete on Saturday. The dives then are from the 3-metre springboard and are easier than the subsequent twists and somersaults he will perform if possible next week. OUT OF SPRINT Another Rotorua swimmer, Miss R. Ewert will probably scratch from the 100 metres freestyle and concentrate solely on the springboard diving event. Both events start on Saturday. Miss Ewert rarely dives well after swimming and although she has a respectable Imin s.9sec as her best time for the 100 metres, she is likely to forego the sprint event. Miss S. Hunter (Canterbury) will be the fourth member of the New Zealand women’s 4 x 100 metres freestyle relay team. In a special swim-off, she I beat Miss B. Williams (Auck- . land) and Miss Ewert, in 66.5 i seconds. After 50 metres Miss i Hunter was two yards back ; but she fought hard from the , turn and headed off her two I team-mates by a touch.

Only three New Zealand swimmers have been included in the latest rankings of Commonwealth competitors. They are M. Treffers (Southland), 1500 metres freestyle, Miss F. Crawford (Auckland), 100 metres freestyle and Miss J. Wright (Canterbury), 800 metres freestyle. Six platings have been listed in each event Treffers is ranked fifth, Miss Crawford sixth and Miss Wright, fifth.