CHRISTCHURCH.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2506, 17 January 1877, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH.

Tuesday.

The weather is most unpromising for the cricket match. It has now stopped raining, but the sky is worse, and has a very threatening aspect. J

The wet weather has again set in, and it is feared now that the crops will be seriously damaged. The cricketers are not able to practice to-day, the ground is so very soft. This is considered to improve the chance of the Otago Eleven. A half-holiday will be observed during the first two days of the match.

The City Council have decided to take steps for acquiring possession of a piece of land opposite the Bank of New Zealand for the double purpose of widening Colombo street and erecting corporation offices. Mr Morton, owner of the land, intends erecting a large hotel and shop, the foundation for which is already laid. He strongly opposes the Council taking the land. The sparrows are committing sad havoc amongst the grain crops. One farmer asserts that 80 acres of barley were totally destroyed by them.

The City Council have decided to asphalte all the footpaths in the city half widths, at a cost of £13 10s, the owners of property to contribute 20s per chain towards it. Twenty applications for the renewal of cab licenses were refused on the ground of misconduct, principally in relation to brothels. Many cabmen were said to Jbe practically in the service of prostitutes, and the Corporation are determined to put a stop to this. The City Council have decided to apply to the Government for an endowment of two thousand acres of bush land.