CHRISTCHURCH.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2507, 18 January 1877, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH.

Wednesday. The New Zealand district meeting of the United Methodist Free Church opened yesterday. It was reported that Wm. Hocks, of Cornwall, England, had,, sent subscriptions of £500 to each of the new churches at Christchurch and "Wellington. The reports from the various circuits showed that in New Zealand there are 13 ministers,.29 local preachers, 27 leaders, 640 members, with 56 on trial (being an increase, of 79 full members on last year), 17 chapels, with 19 other preaching places, 11 Sunday schools, 2,152 Sunday scholars, 198 teachers : increase of scholars over 400. The inter-provincial cricket match commanced this morning. The weather was fine, but dull. There was a large attendance of spectators, and the ground was in good order. Ollivier, the captain of the Canterbury team, won the toss,, and elected to go in. Glover and Alpe went in first, but had short lives. The former made three, and was then run out, and Alpe was bowled without scoring. Moore and Corfe are now in, and appear well set. Moore has made 63 with only one chance, and Corfe (who is playing beautifully) 22. The total at 1.45 is~92. The weather is clearing up. This day. Heavy rain last night, which made the ground soft. The cricket match was resumed 12.45. Rose and Clark, -the two "not outs" went, in, Neilson bowling slow and Ashby fast. The score was run up to sixty-one, when Rose was foolishly run out when attempting to steal one for a hit to mid off. The Otago team are therefore 72 runs behind.