All seats sold for opening

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33442, 25 January 1974, Page 2

All seats sold for opening

About 500 tickets for the Gaines opening left over from those set aside for V.I.P.s were quickly bought by spectators, some of whom began queuing for them at 5.30 a.m. yesterday. All the tickets were sold by 12.30 p.m.

A capacity crowd of more than 35,000 started to fill the stadium at 11.30 a.m.

The cool weather favoured the St John Ambulance Brigade who had to deal with only about 20 patients during the day, mostly for minor cuts and abrasions.

The brigade had 90 men and women round the park based in four medical centres.

There was a brief rush on catering facilities at the opening. As the crowd moved from their cars and buses to the stadium many stopped to buy food and drinks from the numerous canteens while others dined in the restaurants.

There was little further demand on the catering facilities until the crow’d began to file out again. Police on duty at the park were given service from the smorgasbord restaurant from 11.30 a.m., and from noon the plush restaurant next to the swimming pool was opened to the public. During its peak service from noon until 1 p.m. the restaurant was busy, with up to 150 patrons at one time. However, there were still several spare tables. Patrons were entertained on the electric organ by the blind Christchurch organist, Richard Hore.

Pos’t office staff at the park reported a rush on the special opening-day covers with first-day post marks on the Games stamps. Once the crowd was seated, the numerous canteens and bars were almost deserted.

’ Staff chatted while others re- [ stocked the large number of vending machines loaded with confectionery, cigarettes, and hot food.