CORRESPONDENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6062, 22 April 1881, Page 6

CORRESPONDENCE.

■ ' —: —*-—- ' ' . ' THE AUCKLAND STEEPLECHASE. TO THE EDITOR. Sis, —I find in to-day's issue a letter signed by Mr. George Belcher, in which he makes use of my name in a sneering and uncomplimentary manner, and bitterly complains of being an injured man. He likewise says that people of his ilk and following do not get sufficient encouragement in theso parts, or fair play in Auckland, and regrets the stewards could so far forget themselves as to overlook the important fact that Mr. Belcher was in the saddling paddock at the time they were investigating Mr. Carina's protest, thereby not affording this burly knight of the book and pencil a fair opportunity to rebut the evidence given by some fellovr called Potter. Mr. Belcher actually denies .in print the soft imputation by me. He did : not offer £10, in conjunction with other bookmakers, for the purpose of proving that Mr. Rutherford's horse, Sportsmau, was not the legal winner of the Auckland Steeplechase. Now, Mr. Editor, with regard to the statement of people from the .South not getting fair play in Auckland, from my experience in these matters, I think, practically, it is the other way, and it is the 'first time I ever heard so unjust a charge levelled against the people of this province, and I have been bred, born, and reared in and around this metropolis.. I know, from yesterday's experience of Mr. Belcher's conduct to me, what an exalted idea he, entertains of the principle of fair play, when he bullied and insulted me in a public place with the vilest epithets and lowest Billingsgate, following me up as if he would like to crush me or roast me on a spit. Great manhood this, to one who had risen from a bed of sickness of seven weeks' duration, and undergone three operations ! A fine specimen of pluck and fair play Mr. Belcher represents ! If Mr. Belcher is the advocate of manliness, he wishes people to believe him ; does he think it manly on his part to challenge and menace me in the way he did yesterday ? If he was a man of spirit, would ho not match his prowess in a quarter where his pugilistic.com-. bativencss could be responded to with more fame and credit than in assailing a sick man ? With reference to his denying and scorning the imputation and charge made by me, of offering the ten pounds for the purpose of sustaining Carina's protest, if it is gratifying to Mr. Belcher and his allachd, I can find evidence that may assist his weak memory, by bringing the matter before the proper tribunal, aay—Tattersalls, or the Auckland Racing Club. In conclusion, that I won, by Sportsman being declared most properly the winner, I admit, but in giving my evidence, I spoke the incontrovertible truth, and will do the same again when called on.—l have, &c, William Potter, Epsom. A nnsDRED diseases may proceed from one source—a diseased or debilitated stomach. No human being can be healthy when digestion la disordered. Tone tho stomach and liver, and regulato tho bowels with Dr. Walker's VEaBTABtn ViNKQAn Bitters, and tho work of assimilation and excretion will go bravely on. By producing perfect digestion and a proper .flow of bile, it onsires pure blood, a vigorous circulation, and a prompt discharge of all waste matter from tho system. -Atreats P. Haymas and Co., Dmcdin.—[ißTT.J