GAMES COSTS More from local bodies suggested

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32540, 25 February 1971, Page 12

GAMES COSTS More from local bodies suggested

A suggestion that some Canterbury local bodies might be willing to raise the level of their agreed contribution towards the running costs for the 1974 Commonwealth Games was made at a meeting last evening of the Games’ organising committee.

It came from the chairman of the Ellesmere County Council (Mr W. E. Walker), who although only present as an observer was given the opportunity to speak.

It was fairly clear, said Mr Walker, that the benefits which do accrue from the Games would be felt in Christchurch and the surrounding districts and for that reason he wanted to talk cents.

The 11c per head of population which the local bodies had agreed to contribute in each year of a five-year period was not a great deal and some might like to give more, possibly as much as 20c a head, said Mr Walker. There was a great deal of support for the Games and if there was going to be a shortage of money a second approach to local bodies in Canterbury might prove worth-while, he suggested. Describing the suggestion as constructive and unusual, the chairman (Mr R. S. Scott) said that it might be a good

idea if Messrs Walker and M. F. Hunter, the committee’s finance chairman, discussed the matter further. Mr Hunter said he welcomed the suggestion and went on to explain that in recent months it had become apparent that the budget first drawn up would not cover the cost of the Games. “Rather than go back to

the Government or the local bodies we decided to include the increase in our own fundraising appeal, the target for which is now $600,000. “We hope that with this sum we will have enough, but I am very gratified to find a friend in local bodies,” said Mr Hunter. “You have two,” said the Christchurch Deputy-Mayor (Cr H. P. Smith). ONLY FOUR Almost 30 local bodies were invited to send representatives to the meeting to observe the committee in action, but only four were represented. The ether three were Mr K. M. Baxter (Ashburton County Council), Mr A. D. Talbot (Geraldine County Council), and Mr W. Greenwood (Timaru City Council). They spoke of their satisfaction at the manner in which the committee conducted its business. Mr Greenwood asked to what extent Timaru might be able to provide for pre-Games competitions and was told the city would be an ideal site for any such proposals. He regretted that more local bodies had not taken the opportunity to have representatives present, said Mr Scott, and one which last week had been critical of the lack of Games information available had not even bothered to reply to its invitation. The door would always be open to local bodies to send representatives to the committee’s meeting and any members of the public who would like to attend would be welcome, said Mr Scott. The design of Mr C. W. Simon, of Lower Hutt, which was made public this week, was unanimously adopted by the meeting as the official Games symbol. Mr C. L. S. Cross, of Wellington, and Mr Hunter, who has been out of Christchurch this week, both told of the) popularity of the symbol in) other parts of the country. SUB-COMMITTEE A sub-committee comprising ; Messrs Scott, H. C. Blaney, J. E. 1 Davies, J. O. Hattersley, and N.I B. Ullrich was appointed to meet I representatives of the Victory Park Board to discuss matters; pertaining to Lancaster Park. Two of the major items, said Mr Scott would be the conversion of the park to a sports stadium and terms under which it would be occupied. Chairmen for three of the organising body’s sub-committees were appointed. They are Mr J. K. McAlpine (appeal), Mr J. O. Hattersley (main stadium) and Mr D. L. Hogan (accommodation). Chief Superintendent G Tait was also installed as the police’s spokesman. Mr Hogan takes over as the accommodation chairman from Mr Davies, who had filled the post temporarily. The following sub-committees • were approved:— Sports technical.—Messrs J. H. 1 Johnson (chairman), J. Naysmitb 1 (secretary-treasurer). A. S.; Lewis, V. Curtis, R. East, and C. A. Harrow. Village.—Messrs H. T. Dean (chairman), N. Berhinger (secretary-treasurer), D- Johns, R. D. Comfort, W. L. Dillon. L. J. M. Lambert. D. L. Taylor, Mrs B. Mahar and Professor G. A Knox. Catering.—Messrs H. T. Dean (chairman), N. Roake (convener!, N. Duffy, B. Hall, A. Harris, D. Cox, and N. M. Todd (secre tary-treasurer). Programmes.—Messrs L. C. Fulford (chairman), J. H. Skinner, N. D. P. Turner, and C. M. Hall (secretary-treasurer). Reception and recreation.— Messrs P. Helmes (chairman), S. C. Hackwell, D. J. W. Hampton. D. J. Kelleher, J. A. J. McMillan. R. I. Parry, I. C. J. Polson, B. L. Rennell. and R. A. Barker (secretary-treasurer). Additional appointments made were:—

Accommodation.—Messrs N. F. Calcutt, W. D. Murie and W. M. Tolerton.

Tickets.—Mr R. G. Pilkington.