EMPIRE GAMES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 112, 24 February 1950, Page 4

EMPIRE GAMES

BRITISH MANAGER’S VIEWS “EVERYTHING WONDERFUL” “Everything was wonderful at the Games,” stated Mr J. Turner, manager of the British Empire Games team, which in the company of the Canadian, Welsh, Australian and Scottish vteams, passed through Ashburton en route to. Timaru on a special express yesterday afternoon. The training facilities at Ardmore were first class, and the accommodation was excellent also, said Mr Turner when interviewed by a “Guardian” reporter. Regarding a front page story criticising the conducting of the Games, which appeared in an Australian paper recently, Mr Turner termed it as “ridiculous ballyhoo,” and stated that no matter what the function was, slight flaws in the running of it were most certain to occur, but the journalist concerned must have gone to the Games for the express purpose of finding faults, which, incidentally, were extremely difficult to find, no matter how hard one looked. “We knew we were in for a good time, coming to New Zealand, but did riot expect the marvellous time we have all had,” said Mr Turner. He stated that the team was very tired but happy, and were keen to* appear at meetings, to help repay New Zealanders for their overwhelming hospitality. The travelling was a weary business, as was shifting camp. “Your people have been wonderful, and your Games contestants have been very amicable, and worthy representatives of this country.” In his opinion the standard of all New Zealand sports was high, and the Games should prove an enormous benefit. Supply of Goods Regarding the supply of goods in New Zealand shops, Mr Turner stated that several girls in the team had purchased frocks made in England, which they had been unable to purchase at home. He credited this to the extensive export trade Britain is conducting. > Mr Turner was critical of some Christchurch reports of the meeting there on Tuesday. British officials had requested a 10-mile road race for marathon runners, but instead a threemile track event was staged. One report stated that one Canterbury runner had. set out to show the public how poor the other runners were, but in truth, said Mr Turner, not one of the runners had run in such an event before, and had to run on a grass track in rubber shoes. The party, which will compete in sports meetings at Timaru on Saturday, will return to Christchurch on the morning excursion on Sunday.. Members of the Scottish team are dressed in their traditional Highland kilt!, while members of other teams wear national blazers.