The Caledonian Society.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 43, 20 February 1886, Page 8

The Caledonian Society.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —When I wrote last, it was simply to warn the Caledonian directorate that their Society was floating sluggishly among thoso very rocks on which it was wrecked some years ago. I mentioned no names, and am perfectly indifferent to Mr Spiers's real or assumed terpslohorean accomplishments. But aa the correctness of my observations seems to have led to Mr Spier's ready recognition of himself, I wish, for his eako, that their truthful severity had taught him either more courage or moro discretion than ho could possess when he signed that silly challenge which appeared in your issue of the 11th. I ask, thon, what oan smack more of tho braggart than to make a challenge which he knows could not bo accepted by the_part.es challenged, without resigning their present business position and impairing their character and social standing as gentlemen .Mr Spiers has adopted a cheap method of poßing as champion, and let me hope that his admirers at Dargaville will givo him another medal in memory of his latest achievement. Not long ago I heard a pugilist challenging any man on this side of the Line for £25 a-side. His stake and motto were identical with those of Mr Spiers, and his admirers proclaimed him, there and then, "Champion of the Southern Hemisphere." He got his laurels cheap, but in the first encounter after, he was defeated by a quiet Auckland artisan. I hope Mr Spiers will carry out his projected dancing tour with more congenial competitors, But before starting, I would advise him to consult Mr Simon Prazer (who, by the way, is as innocent of any knowledge of this as he was of my former letter) as to the best way of dispersing his (Mr Spiers's) buttons, buckleß, and medals over his dress. This done, it would mightily improve his chance of success, if he could persuade the late judges of Caledonian sports to accompauy him professionally as far as Oamaru, where, he tells us, equally talented judges would

meet him, and on his return, if he likes to dance and dress for a gold medal, or for a sum of money for a charitable purpose, a competitor will be found by—Yours respectfully, Fair Play.