17 AUGUST 1996, Page 22

A Canadian invention

Sir: Taki's column refers to 'Afro-freaks' and to 'jumping up high to grab mangoes, coconuts, even bananas' (High life, 27 July). I know that The Spectator, a magazine for the literate, intelligent and sensitive person, would not wish to appear to make the slightest suggestion of a racial slur.

Incidentally, please inform Taki that bas- ketball was invented by a chap called Nai- smith in my mother's home town of Almonte, near Ottawa.

Peter R. Henderson

Apt 1101, 250 Heath St West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada