CHRISICHURCH’S BID FOR WIRE GAMES

Wanganui Chronicle, 18 August 1948, Page 6

CHRISICHURCH’S BID FOR WIRE GAMES

£25,000 OF GUARANTEE OF £30,000 RAISED Christchurch, Aug. l 4 “Christchurch, in making its bid for the 1950 British Empire Games, nas raised £25,000 of the required guarantee of £30,000,,” said the chairman of the Empire Games Promotion Committee, discussing Canterbury’s plans with a "Post” reporter today.

“The public response has been splendid,” he added, “and the committee proposes to visit Timaru next week, and South Canterbury will be given the opportunity of contributing the balance.’’

Mr. Langford pointed out that this step would enable the district to make its contribution to Canterbury’s centennial celebrations. He said that if the Games were allotted to gristchurch, and provided the New Zealand Olympic and British Empire Games Association were agreeable, the track cycling will be held at Timaru.

Asked about the question of providing a swimming pool in Christchurch conforming to the standard measurement, Mr. Langford stated that a deputation would be going to Wellington next week to discuss this matter with the Government.

“We hope to get a permit to build a pool,” he said. “Christchurch has been waiting since 1938 to construct one of Olympic and Empire Games dimensions.”

He claimed that Canada, who unsuccessfully applied for the Games, did not have a pool of standard measurement. Mr. Langford said that Canterbury could offer four alternative courses for rowing, and the committee aimed to complete a course on the Avon.

When it was suggested to Mr. Langford that Auckland, with a greater population than Christchurch, would be more favourably placed from the all-important attendance viewpoint, he replied: “I am confident that the Christchurch grounds

will be filled, and with the additional stands that the committee is considering erecting at Lancaster Park the proposed venue of the track and field events —that the ground will accommodate 40,000.”