MISCELLANEOUS.

The sporting public will be disappointed to learn -that there is very .slight probability of the hammer-throwing contest between W. iMatheson and Donald Dinnio taking place. The principal difficulty appears to have arisen over the ground, *of which tho Caledonian Society are nnable to depiive the cricketers on the date desired for tho m itch. Diunie's engagements, ifc is stated, will prevent him accepting a later date, and we believe M.r Kirkcaldy, the stakeholder, has in consequence returned the money already deposited with him for. the contest. ' Concerning the Dinnio v. Hudson wrestling match, also, there is nothing definite to report. The Garrison Hall has been suggested as a fitting place for the match to be decided, but the arrangement has not yet been fiied.

Successful athletic sports, at which Donald Dinnie was a competitor, were held at Palmerston on Friday. Upwards of £45 was taken at the gates.

Mr W. V. Mil [ton, while in Wellington and Auckland last month, arranged with those Unions that Mr S. E. Sleigh should bo requested to undertake the management of the intercolonial football match with New South Wales this year. At a meeting of the O.R.F.TJ. last week, it was rsaolved to request Mr Sleigh to act on behalf of the Otago Union also. It was also resolved to ascertain at once what Otago players wero likely to get leave of absence if chosen as representatives.

Mr John Hanna is the gymnastic instructor who has been selected by Sir F. D. Bell for the Otago High School. The newcomer is, judging by his photograph, a stalwart and athleticlooking man, and his testimonials speak highly of his qualifications as a drill-instructor, and also as an expert with the foils, glovos, &c. Mr Hanna (who is now on his way to New Zealand) has previously bnen engaged as instructor at the Aberdeen Gymnastic College, the Aberdeen Grammar School, the Church of Scotland Training College in Aberdeen, the Aberdeen Collegiate School, &c. The pedestrians Wood and Plulston are in active training for their foot-races, which are to come oft 'on tho Caledonian grounds .on Saturday. Xiulston arrived 'in Dunodin labt week. The final deposit of £25 a side was to be made on IViday evening. Mr D. M. Stuai t has consented to act as starter for tha mutch, 'in which no slight amount of interest is felt.

Mr Mark Moss, one of the Victorian bowling team, has presented a gold medal to be played for between the New Zealand bowling clubs, on terms to be agreed upon, the winning dub to afterwards play amongst

themselves for the individual possession of tho trophy.

The Melbourno Sportsman contains John li. Sullivan's reply to the challenge sent to tho American champion boxer by Profossor Miller. Sullivan declines to meet Miller under riug rules, but offers the latter £200 expenses to go to America. In addition, it he docs not succeed in "stopping the professor " tha latter is to be declared tho winner, and get the wholu of the gate-money. This is an olfor so tempting that Miller has at onco accepted it, and will go to tbe States as soon as he is assured that the £200 has been deposited with the New York Clipper. Foley will accompany Miller to America, and will be prepared to meet any middleweight in the world.

Major Sumpter (says the Oamaru Mail) has received replies from thQ officers commanding the Wellington, Christchurch, and Duocdin Volunteer districts, accepting his challenge foe a rifle and carbine match. of 20 men a aide. Major Pitt, of Nel-wn, however, telegraphs regretting that the Nelson Volunteers cannot at present accept the challenge.

The wrestling match between Dinnio and Hudson has been arranged to take place, probably in the Gar-riaon Hall,' on Saturday, 23rd inst. Thia will be the last clay ot tho Dunedin races, &o that numbers of country visitors should be in tho city, moat of whom will no dovibt be pleased to have the opportunity of witnessing tho match.

Donald Diunie announces by advertisement his willinguess to wrestle John Tiffen, Cumberlaud style, on Monday, 25th inst., for £50 a side ; or, if this date will not suit, at any time after the middle of March (up to which date Dinnie has engagements which will prevent his being in Dunedin), for ,£2OO a side. Dinnie has deposited at this ottico a sum of money to cover both matches.

The final deposit of £25 in connection with the bicycle match between O'Donneli and Mackenzie wa^s made on Monday, imd the match, it. is expected, will take place about tho end of the present month, Besides the threo contests between the two champions, a programme of interesting and novel events, both bicycle and pedestrian, will be arranged, so that a good afternoon's Bport is likely to ensuo.

J. Tiffin advertise" lm willingness to wrestla Donald Dlnnie for £50 a sidu in reply to his challenge, but stipulates that the match shall not take place until four wcoka from the date of signing articles. This condition seems likely to prevent the affair coming to anything, as it is known that Dinnie has already arranged to leave Dunedin almost immediately to cany out engagements in the North.