Barmy Army secures its base camps

The Barmy Army fans of the touring Lions rugby side have secured bases in seven other cities.

The gathering army of supporters and its official victualler Lion Breweries yesterday announced a list of bases - or more accurately, drinking holes - in Rotorua, Hamilton, New Plymouth, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill.

The joint announcement also reiterated plans to set up a national headquarters in the former Alinghi and Team New Zealand sheds at the Viaduct Harbour from June 8 to July 9 "with a capacity of 6000".

But it added the qualification that confirmation of some venues remained dependent on obtaining planning consents.

Supporters' club organiser Freddie Parker acknowledged that approval had yet to be obtained for a venue in Palmerston North as well as in Auckland.

Auckland City Council planners say they hope to make a recommendation today or tomorrow to independent commissioners on whether a resource consent application must be notified for formal objections or could be processed without such notification.

R&R

Rotorua: Hennessy's Irish Bar (capacity 750 fans) until Sunday.

New Plymouth: Peggy Gordon's (3000) June 6-8.

Hamilton: Fraser Technical RC (900) June 9-11.

Wellington: Loaded Hog (2000) June 10-July 9.

Dunedin: Railway Station (1000) June 16-18.

Invercargill: Appleby Tavern (250) June 19-21.

Christchurch: Legends (1000) June 20-25.