1950 EMPIRE GAMES IN NEW ZEALAND?

Chronicle (Levin), 9 April 1946, Page 4

1950 EMPIRE GAMES IN NEW ZEALAND?

The eentennial of Canterbury proviuce will be celebrated in 1950, ..and it is pvoposed to eomTnemorate the event by the holding of an international exhibition in Christchurch. Spoyt will oecupy a prominent place in the celebrations, and according to Mr. J. K. Moloney, the well-known Canterburv Rugby and amateur athletic enthusiast, plans are already taking shape with a view to applieation being made for the British Empire Games to be held in Christchurch in 1950. The last games were held at Sydney in „193S. Montreal was- to have been : th'ei venue in 1942. • Canada had previously been the- host in . 1930 when the ^mpire Games were held in Hamilton, Ontario, and i'ou.r years later the gath,ing was held in London. It is custonxary for an interval of two years ta elapse "between the staging of the Olympie Games and the Empire Games, aiid si'nee the. first pos.t\var Olympic Games will be held in London in 1948, it is unlikely that a meeting of Empire athletes will take .place before 1950. The Empire Games have not been held in South Africa or New Zealand and if Canada should forego its previous claim, New' Zealand; should hayea reasonable opportunity of being allotted the meeting in 1950. The question of venue would then arise, and at the moment it would appear to lie between Auckland and Christchurch. Auckland is the only centre in the Dominion. with a modern Olympic swimming pool, but Mr. Moloney is confideiit that if consideration is given to Christchurch 's application for .the Games, plans now in hand for the ereetion of an Olympie 'pool there will' be put into effeet.