“Melbourne can forget Games”

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32542, 27 February 1971, Page 1

“Melbourne can forget Games”

“Melbourne and every other city in the British Commonwealth can forget about staging the 1974 Commonwealth Gamps,” said the Mayor of Oiristchurch (Mr A. R. Guthrey) yesterday. “It is absolute rubbish to suggest that we in Christchurch will not be able to hold them.

“We have the ability, can raise the finance, and will have all the facilities in time for the Games,” he said. “There is absolutely no possibility of Christchurch not staging the Games, all views to the contrary notwithstanding.” Mr Guthrey was commenting on a report in Melbourne that that city was ready to step in and take over the Games. “We have no problems at all about the Games. The only decision we have to make is where to site the swimming pool,” he said. “The City Council will hold a special meeting on Monday night, when I expect we shall make the final decision about this. “We have already made application to the Local

Authorities Loans Board to| raise the money. “We have received a report' from the Commonwealth [ Games Federation strongly! recommending that we cover! the entire pool, and this will! be discussed at the meeting! on Monday.” COVERED POOL I A message from the secre-! tary of the federation (Mr| K. S. Duncan) yesterday said; that Commonwealth coun-i tries expected a covered pool.! “That is the decision of the! federation and we will abide, by it,” said Mr Guthrey. “We know quite well that time is starting to get a bit short. “But all our plans and working drawings are ready and we can start building as soon as we have determined the site. “I know perfectly well that the contractors of Christchurch will not allow! the city’s good name to be!

{jeopardised by failing to {complete the construction of 'the pool in time.” ! Mr Guthrey dismissed as i "complete nonsense” a suggestion by the president of 'the Christchurch Metropolijtan Ratepayers’ Association | (Mr A. Mackintosh) that {Christchurch should ask {Auckland to take over. I He said that most of the (people of Christchurch {wanted the Games and would be prepared to go to any {lengths to make sure they were held according to the best traditions of international sport. “We have never been so naive as to think that we would be able to undertake the Games without considerable dissension within the community. “The last host city, Edinburgh, was almost tom asun!der throughout the period of planning for the Games. Yet {they very successfully staged them, as everyone knows. “We intend to do as well if not better than Edinburgh,” said Mr Guthrey. MELBOURNE MESSAGE The Lord Mayor of Melbourne (Alderman E. Best) said on Thursday night that Melbourne would take over if asked, according to a cabled message. “We don't want to snatch the Games from anyone,” he said. "If Christchurch wants help from us in staging the Games, we will give it. But if they really can't go on with them, we are in a position to take over. "We have all the installations—the pool, the running field, a magnificent stadium for the opening and closing ceremonies, and all the other venues. "We know that the housing commission can arrange a village for athletes.” He said that the entire cost to Melbourne would be $3.5m and this could be raised easily. Mr Best said that Mr Mackintosh had telephoned him from Christchurch to discuss the possibility of switching the Games from Christchurch to Melbourne. Melbourne, the only other city to apply for the Games, failed by 36 votes to 2. Mr Best and Mr Guthrey were both in Edinburgh when the vote was taken. Melbourne reports said that the chairman of the Commonwealth Games Federation (Sir Alexander Ross) had said in London that he was unaware that Christchurch was in difficulty preparing for the Games. "I think I would have heard if anything had gone wrong,” he said.