United States President William Jefferson Clinton will give a public speech in Christchurch on the afternoon of September 15.

The Mayor, Garry Moore, announced this today when he said the event was an opportunity for the citizens of Christchurch to welcome the US President and a chance for President Clinton meet his hosts.

Mr Clinton will speak at the Antarctic Centre between noon and 1pm. A limited number of tickets will be available to organisations, including schools, and the general public. The tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

The public tickets will be available from Saturday at three city libraries: Central (10am to 4pm Saturday, 1pm to 4pm Sunday, 10am to 9pm Monday); Hornby (10am to 1pm Saturday, 10am to 5.30pm Monday); New Brighton (10am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday, and 9am to 6pm Monday).

On Monday tickets will also be available from the Selwyn District Council from 9am to 4.30pm at its Leeston, Darfield, Lincoln, and Rolleston centres; at the Waimakariri District Council offices in Rangiora from 8.30am to 5pm; and at the Lyttelton office of the Banks Peninsula District Council from 8.30am to to 5pm.

Because of security measures ticket holders will have to sign for their tickets.

It is expected there will be a rush for tickets, which will be limited to two to each person.

Only people with tickets will be allowed in for the speech. Because there is no reserved seating and because of security procedures, people must arrive early.

Guests will be seated from 10am; no one will be seated after 11.45am.

Food and toilets will be available on site.

Special parking is being arranged near the Antarctic Centre for the event. This will be at the Wairakei-Orchard roads intersection.

Entertainment will be provided at the Antarctic Centre before the President’s speech. Details will be announced later.

The stage for entertainment and the President’s speech will be erected on Monday.