Deserted village

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33451, 5 February 1974, Page 1

Deserted village

The population of the Games village is expected to be only 29 by this evening, and a start has been made on dismantling equipment and preparing the property for handing back to the University of Canterbury. The chairman of the village committee (Mr 11. 1. Dean) said yesterday that he was delighted with the way athletes had treated the village. The clean condition would make the task of clearing the village much easier. No major damage to the village had been caused by athletes, said Mr Dean. About 300 athletes and officials had breakfast at the village yesterday and 200 had an evening meal. Most will leave the village today, except for 29 members of the Canadian team who will • leave on Thursday. lour persons trying to enter the village undetected were found by security guards and referred to the police. Of the 84 Games Hags at the village two disappeared, but were later returned by the Australian team. "The co-operation from the teams and managements was fantastic and I have nothing but praise for paid and volunteer staff who helped to make the village a success,” said Mr Dean. Much of the equipment at the village — including sheets and pillow cases—was sold bv tender 18 months ago. Tables, chairs and office typewriters were hired and blankets were lent. tn an effort to get the best price possible for village equipment, it was planned to open a shop to sell furnishings, said Mr Dean. The articles will include tallboys, wardrobes, and 40 refrigerators. The wire fence surrounding the village was sold yesterday and will be pulled down tomorrow. The security posts, the village banks and post office will be closed at 6 p.m. The property had to be handed back to the university before February 24, said Mr Dean. Of the 30 temporary buildings which housed athletes, 20 have been sold for prices from 89900 to $11,500.