CENTENNIAL GAMES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 161, 9 June 1939, Page 9

CENTENNIAL GAMES.

THE AUCKLAND FIXTURE. AURA N G EAI ENTS 0 U TLIN ED. Per Press Association. A ICELAND. June 7. The opening day of the New Zealand Centennial Games, which is to he held on January 0 of next year, will inaugurate a series of sporting events all designed to lorm part of the Centennial celebrations of the Auckland province. The comprehensive character of the summer series, to he held in January. was indicated by the Mayor (Sir Ernest Davis) in his capacity as chairman of the Auckland Provincial Centennial Council. Sir Ernest said the opening day on January 6 promised to provide the largest and most spectacular sporting gathering ever held in New Zealand and, if the present hopes were reached. a good number of overseas competitors would he present. It was proposed to.hold a grand parade of representatives of all sporting bodies, followed hv the formal opening of the games. The Governor-General is being invited to perform the ceremony. From promises already received it was anticipated that at least from 50C0 to 0000 persons would take part in the parade and the displays and actual games would begin on Alonday, January 8. “Sporting organisations are making every endeavour to induce overseas competitors to take part in the various games and, from reports to hand, it is fairly certain that competitors from America, Canada, Australia and South America will tie seen in action,” said Sir Ernest. “Tt is regretted that the Ol.vmnie tests and the Australian National Games at Brisbane will lie held during this period, hut I am now in communication with the Australian authorities in an effort to have the Australian dates altered so that no overlapping will occur and the Australians will ho 1 roe to take part in the celebrations.”