THE SLIPPER.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VIII, Issue 409, 26 May 1898, Page 7

THE SLIPPER.

To the Editor. Sir, —I see by the paper that I have been nominated for the position of slipper to the Avondale Club. Whilst I have every wish to encourage the sport, I must assert a little respect for myself by declining to stand for election. I thank the gentleman who have nominated me, also those who were willing to support me, tut my decision is that I will not accept the position asslipper. 1 wish the sport every success. Yours truly, James Baer.

The following may be accepted as an evidence of the bias of the conservative Britisher. The Sporting Times remarks : —Advance, Australia ! But please do it as gradually as you can. I think we have had quite enough bounce for the present about the doings and capabilities of Kangarooland. They have whipped us at cricket —chiefly’ because Stoddart can’t toss for Barcelonas —but the superiority of their horses has yet to be proved ; and con-found that Starting Gate. I was once privileged to see St. Simon and Carbine side by side, and it was like putting the Duke of Portland and a Latimer Road landlord on the same hearthrug, or Kochjifo and fourpenny ale in the same jug. In the matter of production of race horses Kildare is as far in front of New South Wales as Sir Henry Irving is in front of our curate when he recites “ The Dream of Eugene Aram ”at a penny reading; and the Starting Gate if all right in theory, is in practice about as dangerous to life and limb as dynamite or rattlesnakes.