NEW ZEALAND.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7260, 21 January 1889, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND.

[press association telegrams.] . WELLINGTON, January 20. In-reply to the challenge issued by the Poneke Football Club to the principal Clubs in New Zealand, replies have been received from Pofisonby Club, Auckland; Nelson Club; Kaikoura Club, Dunedin, and the two principal Clubs in Christchurch announcing their willingness to meet the local Club. Grafton Club, Auckland, refuses to meet the Ponekes, and from Napier no reply has yet been received. _ _

AUCKLAND, January 20.

A man named Joyce was fined £5 and costs, with the alternative of twenty-one days'hard labor, at the Police Court yesterday for bringing ashore from the Tamui 191b ot tobacco on which duty had not been paid.

GRETMOUTH, January 20. The Grey Valley Miners Union decided to assist coal miners of the Union discharged some time ago, to enable them' to leave the district an«l seek work elsewhere. Twenty have already fixed to leave. Twenty others are expected to leave shortly. Edward Cahill, a jockey, better known as Sprightly, died yesterday, after a short illness, from inflammation °i the lungs. Mr Hall, contractor for the Mail Service for the Grey, Beefton, Westport, and Nelson road, and Mitchell and Campbell having failed to arrange matters, as was done last year, are running in opposition at very reduced rates. The export of coal last week to Saturday evening was 4100 tons. A large party visited North Beach on Saturday afternoon to see Taylor's beach dredging machinery at work. One of Priestman'a ".** Grabs," which was clearing away the barren surface wash, lifted aad swept on one side 48 tons ah hour. '.'.".. DUNEDIN, January 19.

Sir Robert Stout left to-day for Wellington as leading counsel in the case of Larnach v Auckland Herald.

Councillor Sinclair is announced as a candidate for Dunedin Mayoralty.