Confidence about Games target

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32720, 24 September 1971, Page 10

Confidence about Games target

(Neto Zealand Press 4»«»e<«lirn>

AUCKLAND, September 23. Although fund-raising was taking longer than planned—Auckland was one area behind schedule— New Zealand would make a success of the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, said Mr M. F. Hunter, chairman of the Games finance committee, today.

Mr Hunter and two other members of the fund-raising committee, Messrs W- B, Barnes and A. W, Robinson, are in Auckland to discuss fund-raising with Auckland officials.

So far, said Mr Hooter, the Games fund had reached $425,000, with a target of $600,000, and he was confident that this goal would be reached.

Of the Auckland target of $150,000, only $30,000 had been raised.

"However, the Mayor of

Auckland (Sir Dove-Moyer Robinson) gave us an under, taking that Auckland would provide its share," said Mr Hunter, "and knowing Auek, landers’ past generosity in sports fund-raising I am sure their target will be reached," WIDE RESPONSE The Games fund had produced some unusual and heartening actions throughout New Zealand, said Mr Hunter. “We had a eali the other day from Eketahuna where no fewer than 20 different groups were engaged in Games fund-raising, "Last week the Cashmere

Harrier end Athletic Club, which is not a large dub, came along with a donation of jgooo, They had just decided to get behind the Cantes movement and meet the challenge.

' "On Tuesday we received another donation of $lO,OOO in Christchurch,” ■ The Christchurch fund tar- ‘ get of $126,000 had already ( been passed and was heading ■ past $200,000, Wellington was also going well. ■ “Christchurch will need the r help of the rest of New Zea- ; land," said Mr Hunter, “Wo • want the rest of New Zea- , land to assist, to get involved • in the Games to realise that these will be New Zealand’s Games and to become a part of them,” COST ESTIMATE Commenting on the statement by the Prime Minister (Sir Keith Holyoake) that the Games operational costs would be Wm. compared , with the earlier estimate of ! $1.75m, Mr Hunter said that > the up-to-date budget was , nearly completed. It eould be possible, allowing about 15 per cent tor inflation, that coats would be higher than the > original estimate. 1 The Government had ' premised $200,000, Christchurch local bodies would provide a similar amount, 1 and the national fund-raising ; would bring in $600,000. 1 Added to this, said Mr Hunter, were ticket sales estimated at $?oo,ooo and television-radio rights and other concessions which could bring in $lOO,OOO,

POSSIBLE PROFIT The Games organisers, said Mr Hunter, were budgeting for a profit—the 1970 Gamas in Edinburgh made a profit of $lO,OOO. Any profits would go to the New Zealand Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association's fund for sending teams over-