WELLINGTON, New Zealand -Hilary Swank, the Oscar-winning star of fight flick Million Dollar Baby, is going toe-to-toe with New Zealand authorities over a $150 fine for bringing fruit into the country, local media reported yesterday.

Swank was fined in January for failing to declare an apple and an orange in her luggage when she arrived at Auckland International Airport, the Sunday Star-Times newspaper reported.

"It's a pretty standard practice to issue an instant fine for a biosecurity risk," said Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry spokesman William Minchin.

Thousands of visitors arriving in New Zealand each year are fined on the spot for not declaring products like fruit, which cannot be imported into New Zealand, and hundreds contest the fines, Minchin said.

New Zealand is largely free of pests that cause billions of dollars in damage to crops and livestock in other parts of the world and has strict quarantine guidelines.

Swank has instructed lawyers to appear in court next week to contest the fine, the paper reported. It quoted Swank's publicist, Troy Nankin, as saying, "Oh, that was the apple in the purse incident," and declining to elaborate.

Princes hoof it for charity

BIRDLIP, England -Prince William fell from his horse as he and his younger brother, Prince Harry, took to the polo field for a charity match Saturday to aid victims of the Asian tsunami.

The princes, who organized the charity match, led opposing teams onto the field at the Longdole Polo Club in western England. Afterward, players and guests were invited to join William, 22, and Harry, 20, for tea.

Prince William wasn't hurt by his fall and quickly remounted and plunged back into action. But his team lost, 12 goals to 7.

"It was just a bit of a slip, and he was fine,"said Matt Cudmore, one of Prince William's teammates. "We had a bit of a joke about it, and he got back on."

The sons of Prince Charles and Princess Diana said they were moved by the plight of victims of the Dec. 26 natural disaster that killed more than 170,000 people.

Ticket sales for the match raised about $50,000 for the Tsunami Earthquake Appeal. Both princes have made private donations for relief efforts.

Brooks helps fan's fundraiser

YAKIMA, Wash. - One Garth Brooks fan who spent $1,200 to buy a guitar signed by the country singer - only to find out it was a fake -has received an authentic signature.

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