GAMES OFFICIAL TO VISIT AUST.

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32564, 25 March 1971, Page 22

GAMES OFFICIAL TO VISIT AUST.

le vice-chairman in charge of public services for the 1974 Commonwealth Games (Mr J. E. Davies) will leave Christchurch today on a six-day factfinding visit of Australia, is first stop will be Perth where he will meet organisers of the 1962 Commonwealth Games. He will then go to Melbourne to discuss with airline representatives what can be expected in the way of group travel to Christchurch in 1974. Ir Davies’s special interest on the Games organising committee is the issue and sale of tickets, and this and accommodation will be the major topics discussed in Perth. [r Davies has been corresponding with Mr A. C. Curlewis, who was chairmain of the Perth Games ticket committee, and Mr Curlewis has made arrangements for Mr Davies to talk to the 1962 organisers.

Although there was a tremendous amount of information regarding public services in the reports which had come from the 1970 Edinburgh organising committee, Perth’s situation was closer to Christchurch’s and for this reason much of value could be learnt. there, said Mr Davies. It would also be an advantage to talk to the people who did the work, as question and answer? could prove far more helpful than written reports. Besides inquiring into the numbers of visitors which could be expected from Australia, Mr Davies has given himself another assignment for his time away. This, he said, was to quash once and for all any ling- ' ering doubts there might i still be in Australia re- • garding Christchurch’s i ability and willingness to l host the 1974 Games. I