TO-MORROWS MATCH.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 11954, 5 August 1904, Page 5

TO-MORROWS MATCH.

GETTING THE GROUND IN ORDEfc. \ From sunny Australia to winter-gripped Christchurch wiil provide a marked contrast | for the British footballers. But tins touring team will feel more at home than when perspiring under unaccustomed heat, and the white-capped hills and biting air cannot fail to make them conjure up pictures of the Old—and cold—Land. From a pic* turesque and sentimental standpoint this will, of course, be pleasing, but the rigorous weather of the past few days will havo a material and more prosaic effect on Saturday's great match. Lancaster Park was, of course, snow covered, and had it not been for energetio action the eagerly anticipated event would havo had to bo abandoned. After the snowstorm the ground was buried inches deep, and decent football then would have been out of the question. However, a gang of men wero spetdily set to work and they were kept hard at it till ten o'clock at night, scooping, shovelling, and wheeling,- till some semblance of a "field" was recovered from the white pall that enveloped everything. The work of reclamation was continued yesterday, some sixteen labourers generating a little warmth by the vigorous use of shovels, wheelbarrows, etc. Thanks to the prompt steps taken, the ground will ba in a condition to allow of the game being played, but it will certainly be in an exceedingly "greasy" and treacherous state, to that tliere will be little opportunity for the display of finesse, and the finer points of Rugby. Tho men will be kept at work till as late as possible, so as to make the best of the untoward circumstances. There need bo no fear of the game having to bo abandoned. "It will lie played under any circumstances—hail, rain, or shine, tlio public can be sure about that," remarked Mr F. D. Kesteven, secretary to tlie Canterbury Cricket Association He added that everything possible -was being done to put the ground in a fair state. He agreed that if the playing spaoo kid lneii covered with straw before the storm came it would havo been kept in excellent condition,.but it was too late for that now, and they would have to bo content with getting it as presentable as possible. Be tlio weather what it may there ia certain to bo a big crowd at tlio match, for football enthusiasts are not apt to be deterred by trifles when such an unwonted attraction is offered them. Tho management are, therefore, wisely makiug adequate provision for controlling and comfortably accommodating a great gathering, and th'ero will be a strong staff of assistants on the ground. With the reserved seats that will be provided a crowd of 15,000 can be packed away comfortably without being squeezed, and Mr Kes.even confidently anticipates that there will be no "vacant places" when the game begins. He strongly advises those who take seats in the stands and in the reserved enclosure to get there early, so as to avoid unnecessary and unpleasant rushing and scrambling. The match will be played in the centre of the ground, so that everybody who pays for admission, whetlier the humble shilling for "standing room only," or the aristocratic three and six for a chair, will be able to get a good, unintorrupted view of the play.