bring slm. to Norfolk,

Fiji wiped in the 'match of century'

In the first NZ representative game in Fiji in 55 years, those magnificent men of New Zealand’s Rugby machine, the All Blacks, in June walloped the colony by 33 points to six before the biggest crowd ever assembled for a sporting event in Fiji. Over 20,000 had walked, swam rivers, bicycled or travelled by car, bus or ship to jampack Buckhurst Park, Suva, for the big match.

Department stores, shops, offices and schools closed down to allow those who wanted to, to see what many tabbed “Fiji’s match of the century”. The city was dead.

The match? Well, local opinion was that, while the home side was well beaten, Fiji was not disgraced.

New Zealanders said that with more international experience, Fiji could be among the top Rugby countries m the world.

Football pools could

bring slm. to Norfolk,

promoter claims

Mr. George Pearce, the man.

spearheading current moves to i set up a football pools centre on Norfolk Island, told PIM in June that if his company received per mission to go-ahead with his

pool’s plan up to $500,000

would be spent on Norfolk Island. He said final expenditure could be nearer $1 million.

Six overseas experts on football] pools would be brought to Norfolk; to teach “selected personnel” to< supervise operations. These experts? would have to live on Norfolk for several months and be phased out] over two or three years as the: “selected personnel” took control of] operations, Mr. Pearce said.

He said the company formed toe run the operations—Sloop (pools? spelt backwards) Ltd.—had a paid up capital of $29,000, which was subscribed wholly from Sydney and NSW investors. There were less than 20 shareholders.

Littlewoods not connected

Mr. Pearce said Sloop was not connected with the English football pools operator, Littlewoods, in any way. Additional capital needed foi the project could be found within Australia.

A former Liberal Party politician!

Mr. Pearce said he had spent several years in England and he had studieo the English football pools system.

No directors or chairman of Sloop had yet been appointed, but Mn Pearce said he was “Australian cor respondent” and spokesman for thi company.

He denied allegations made in th».

Norfolk Island Council meeting ii May that some Norfolk Islanders ha« not known that they had signed ii Sloop’s initial listing.

Islanders who signed the listim are D. Neagle, R. Ombler, O. G Ombler, J. I. Adams, F. G. A Adams, J. A. Davidson and K. M Neagle.

Mr. Pearce said he felt mos Islanders thought well of his pool: plan which had been approved b: the island Chamber of Commerce He said he was awaiting approval b: the island’s council and the Austrs lian Government (PIM, May, B 26).