“Slavin’s Backer.”

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 536, 25 November 1890, Page 3

“Slavin’s Backer.”

The Australian Star of Oct. 4th contains a wood cut of Mr George Please (a cousin of our fellow townsman of that name), who is described as “Slayin’o backer.” He is well known in sporting circles and has an immense body of admirers owing to a broohure he published entitled “ The Bookmaker as he is.” To Slavin he proved a friend, as owing to some disagreement between the Australian pugilist and his then backer, on arrival in England it may be said Slavin was refused the money necessary to bind the fight with Smith. In his dilemma he bethought himself of a letter of introduction he had to Mr Piesse, who eventually made an appointment to meet S’avin and Jack Lems his manager. Mr Piesse being considerably impressed with the Australian, wound up by telling Lerris that he liked what he had seen and heard of Slavia, and would be willing to oblige him in any way possible. The next day Mr Piesse hande'd over to Lerris a £lOO note, telling him to come tor more when that was finished. The tssulf is well known. The stipe gentleman also stood to the Australian again in the Slavin-Goode contest. Subsequently he offered to_ back the colonial champion for from £5OO to £5OOO. All Australian sports, as will be seen by the above, are greatly indebted to Mr Piesse for gameness and pluck, as it gave, the antipodean the opportunity of proving that he was the phenomenal fighter he had always been considered to be. That it may not for a moment be thought that Slavin a baoker is a gentleman totally devoted to sport, it will be only necessary to mention he is the head of the most celebrated firm in the world dealing in perfumery, and trading under the style off* Fjeese and liubjn.” It is that healthy love of sport and fa;r play that induces him to enter with zest into euoh matters, ' M