POVERTY BAY DOG TRIALS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2193, 18 May 1908, Page 2

POVERTY BAY DOG TRIALS.

FOURTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING

THIRD DAY. “AVliat is wanted to ensure success at sheep (log trials,” remarked tho President (Air. Caesar) on the opening day, “is good weather and good-fel-lowship.” These two essential requirements attended tho meeting throughout the three days, and it did olio’s heart good to see the Joregathoring of tho shepherds, and to hear (liem lighting over again tho contests

of trials past and gone. 'To the uninitiated, listening to tho competitors conversing, it might appear that they they were constantly using strange and foreign oaths. Such words at AVhangaparaoa. AVharekahika.AVliotumatarau, Pakiliikura,AVhakaangiangi, Maraehara, ltoto'kautulcu, ltakautautini, Tauwharoparae, and To llau-o-te-Atua were to heard on every hand. But the shepherds wero not swearing at their dogs, but simply mentioning the places where thoy bad last met or were just about to start lor. The weather was beautifully lino when tho judging in Class 11. was resumed at 8 o’clock on Saturday morning. Tho work generally in this class was not up to the standard ot previous trials, hut was a long way ahead of that done in tho long, lifciul. The head, bring back, and yard class was completed Gy 1.1.30. Air. J. Davidson’s Kel]) did (he best work in this class, lie made a straight head in the good time of 2.L4, and brought his sheep hack well, lie showed Bur style at the yard, and yarded m 0.30. This competitor was disqualified lor breaking rule 4, alter being cautioned i )V the judge. The rule reads that tho competitor may assist his dog provided ho keeps within 4 feet or ring. Air. Davidson sold Kelp on Saturday to Air. J. Turnbull lor £l<> 10s, the purchaser being congratulated on securing a first-class dog. Mr. K. McDonald’s Dick also put-up a fino performance. Tho dog went out on tho right, and made a good head, bringing his trio well and quietly to the yard. Ho was very steady at the yard, and yarded an 7.0. Dick headed in the splendid time ot 1.00. Mr. A. AlcKenzie’s Lass went cut irec, and headed in quickest time (I.UL She brought them back well, but was a little slack at the yard. Mr. E. Tait’s AVag went out well, rud beaded in 2.15. He was slacw m bringing back, and yarded in tJ ■' quick time of oiuin 12sec. Mis style at the yard was not good. Air. L. Bousfield’s Quick went out to the left, and headed in the good time of lmiu 20soe. lie lot them pass the vanl, but succeeded in yarding an the good time of omin Gsec. The judge placed the winners in tlio following order: K. AlcDoiialtl’s Dickl, A. McKenzie's Lass 2, E. Tait s AA ag 3, E. Bousfield’s Quick 4, AV. Homs’s Lloyd 5. The following are the points scored by the leading dogs in this class:—CLASS 11.—Head, bring back, and yard; about a quarter-mile. Points: Head 8, bring back 8, command b,

Tho respective times wero: 7.0, 7.0, 5.12, 5.G, G.O. CLASS lll.—Huntaway between throe lots of flags. Time, 12min. Points: Huntaway 10, stylo 10, noise 4, command 6. This class was then commenced. There wero 41 competitors, and it was five o’clock before the last (log had run. Tho work in this class wa6 on tho whole fair, and some splendid performances were put up. Air. George Hinton’s Skipper carried off the honors in the class, Skipper took his sheep through tho first and second flags in excellent fashion and without a mistake, but ho headed them once between the second and third sets. AA’ith this exception lie put up a fine performance, and iiis work was well-nigh perfect. Second place was secured by Air. A. Devor.v’s Spark, who handled bis sheep well through all the flags, hut was a trifle slack at the last set. He did his work in tho fast time of 5.55. AV. Bonis’s Billy was third. He was a hit rash at starting, but did very fair work afterwards through all the flags. Mr. F. B. Calcott’s Boy hunted through all flags well in 7.8, hut was a hit inclined, to head his sheep. J. ■Marten’s Nell was the last dog to perform. and came very near to carrying off the laurels. She hunted well through the first flag, but just missed tho second, and did splendid work through the third. The general opinion was that had the competitor brought the sheep back and put them through lie second flag, lie would have been adjudged the winner. J. Hyde’s Jack also did a good run. He hunted away well through the first and second flags, but caused some amusement by going after a hare which crossed bis path. After chasing the hare over tho hill, he returned and put the sheep through the last flags. The points scored by tho leading dogs were:— Hunt- Com-

SPECIAL PRIZES. The silver cup. presented by Air. Caesar, lor the best team of three dogs, each dog to score at least 15 points in each class, was not won at this meeting, as no competitor succeeded in securing the necessary points. Air. AA’. Good’s trophy, value £1 Is, for dog scoring most points at the meeting, was won by Air. Geo. Hinton’s Skipper, with a grand total of 68 points. Skipper scored 23 points in Class 1., 17 in Class 11., and 28 in Class 111.

Mr. A. Zacliariali’s special prize of £l, for member who lias not competed at any previous trials, who scores most points at this meeting, was won by Mr. W. Bougen, with 33 points. ' 'Messrs Primrose and Leslie’s prize for dog unplaced at any previous' meeting scoring most points over 20, was annexed by Mr. A. McKenzie's Lass, who scored 22 in Class J.., and 22 in Class 11. Lass also carried off the special prize, value £3, presented by Messrs Hinton, Cameron, and Calcot for dog working in most natural style in Class I.

’Mr. IS. Williams’ prize foe noisiest fm ntaway dog scoring over L 5 points was won by Mr J. Marten’s Nell, with It) points. Mr. Hawkins' prize for dog doing quickest bead and getting full marks in Class I. was not won by any competitor. Messrs Tuit and McDonald’s prize of £3 3s, for competitor scoring highest marks who lias never won a prize previously at any trial, was won by Mr. A. McKenzie. Mr. W. E. Aston’s prize of £2 2s, for dog under best command in Class IJ[. was won by Mr. Geo. Hinton’s Skipper. SMOKE CONCERT. There was a very large attendance at- the annual smo'ko concert, which was held in the Ormond Hall on Saturday evening. There were 70 gentlemen present, and Mr. J. A. Caesar occupied the chair. After the toast of ‘‘The King” had been loyally honored, the Chairman moved a vote of thanks, which was accorded to Mrs. Bruce, for the use of the grounds, and to Mr. Burgess for the use of flic sheep. The votes of thanks were carried by acclamation, and the health of Mrs Bruce and Mr. Burgess was toasted with musical honors.

Mr. K. McKenzie proposed “The Poverty Bay Sheep Dog Trial Club,” coupled with the President, Mr. J. A. Caesar. In responding, Mr. Caesar said it had given him great pleasure to assist at the trials this year. The meeting had undoubtedly been a success, and be hoped to see matters running oven more smoothly next year. Both he and the secretary (Mr. R. Thelwall) were new to flic work, and the experience gained in conducting this meeting would enable them to seo that improvements were effected at future meetings, which would mako tho trials more successful: It was a pleasure to ho associated with men who were willing to work, as were the members of the club. They had at

this meeting boon favored by cxcop- i tionally fine weather, and tlie press had assisted them materially in making the trials a success. He congratulated the Club on being in a. sound financial position, which would enable them to keep going, and to give good prizes. Ho missed tho iacos ol several old members whom lie should have liked to have seen there that evening. Among those wore Messrs C. ilollior Evans (who hud sent an apology), Oacent (ex-tinie'keopcr), Duncan Cameron (their oldest member), and E. Stoggall (who used to bo the life of the club, and keep everyone in a good humor). They should all do their best to help tho club, and il they did this they could make it ono of the foremost clubs in the Dominion. Mr. Caesar proposed “Tho Judge” (Mr. C. Davis). He had been closely

asociated with Mr. Davis during tho past three days, and had found him very painstaking in the performance of ids duties. . Mr. Davis, on rising to respond, was greeted witli warm applause, lie thanked them for the honor they had done him in appointing him judge. Ho had been here two years ago, when butter work had been done. It was easier to judge clogs when good work was done, and his task hud been rendered difficult through tho work done being a good way below the •standard of previous trials.' In the long head, on the opening clay, he could not understand why so many competitors sont their dogs out on the right, instead of on the left. By sending them out on the left they worked on top, pulling the sheep clown when they came on to them, whereas they had to pass the sheep to head when sent out on the right. In yarding, there had been a lot ol good work done, and some very poor work. This also applied to the huntaway. Tho best dog there did not score most points, as lie missed flags. They had some of the best hunt away dogs in the Dominion here, and he was certain they could have won easily at the Hawke’s Bay trials tnis year. In yarding tho competitor should have his hand on the yard. The competitors moved about too much. "When a man is yarding sheep lie should stand perfectly still, iho only man who raided his sheep as they should have been yarded was the winner. He must say lie had had every 'kindness shown him during the performance of his duties. He thought they had a very good secretary. He had known Mr Thelwall intimately lor years, and had iouncl that he was a man who always carried out anything which he undertook. As to their President, with the exception of tho one at Jlawera, lie had seen nolle who worked as Mr. Caesar had clone. He thought they should have a timekeeper. Mr. Caesar had had to carry out this important duty. Tho appointment of a competent timekeeper was essential, as it assured every one being credited with his proper time, lie knew lie had satisfied those who had won, but ho could tell them of one man who was absolutely satisfied, and that was himself. Ho made it a ] joint to carry out the duties of judge without trying to please anyone hut himself, and he had done so on this occasion. (Applause.) “Owners ol Prize _ Winners was proposed hv the Chairman, and ro- ■ spondee! to by Messrs G. Hinton ami K. McDonald. “Donors Special Prizes,” proposed by Mr. E. Bousfield. was responded to by Messrs Caesar, E. Tait, and K. McDonald. Mr Davis proposed “The Committee,” coupled with the name of the President. In proposing the toast, Mr Davis said lie had been asked by • the club at Hawera to bring up the question of the advisability of Sheep Do" Trial Clubs in tho North Island holding an annual conference, at > which delegates could meet and ar- ' range dates, so that the meetings should not clash. Mali 3’ of the clubs, 1 for instance, wished the same judges • to officiate, lmt the date sarranged did 1 not permit of sufficient time for him ■ to travel from the one meeting to the 1 other. He thought the suggestion a good one. and that such a conference would benefit the clubs materially. He hoped', if such a conference were 1 called, that the Poverty Bay Club would send a delegate to attend ij ■ 1 Mr. E. Bilham, in responding, said that there had been a little friction at the meeting, aucl he freely ack- ' uowledged that he was the cause on one occasion. AVlien acting as ste- ■ ward in Class 111., when Mr. K. McKenzie’s dog was working, tip? judge remarked to him: “If that clog had ■ missed the flag, he would have had to ; be called off.” Mr. Bilham said he ■ understood the judge to say: “That 1 clog has missed the flag, and should he • called off.” He (Mr. Bilham) there--1 upon called off the clog, which had put > the sheep through the flags, which .was very unfair to Mr. McKenzie. It was an unfortunate mistake, : and lie alone was responsible for it. However, the committee had pulled together well, and he should be ; satisfied at tlie success of the ing--1 Mr. Bilham proposed “Our Visitors ’ and the Ladies,” coupled with the 1 name of Mr. A. Devery, who made a 1 capital response. Other toasts honered were:—“The Dog that scored the highest points,” proposed by' Dir. J. C. Woodward; ’ “Con. Necnan,” proposed by' the ; Chairman, and responded to by Dir. ’ Necnan. Dir. Necnan said it always afforded him pleasure to do anything 1 to help the shepherds. He considered 1 they deserved assistance. They owned a horse worth £25, a saddle worth £5, a team of clogs worth £6O, and were expected to work for 30s a week. The toast of “The Press” was proposed by the Chairman, and responded to by. the representatives present. During the evening, songs were sung by Messrs J. Turnbull, E. 1311ham, W. Bougen, Woodward, A. Thompson, J. King, and W. Bonis; recitations were given by Messrs Bousfield, Redmond, Woodward, and W. Gibson ; and stepdances by Dlessrs E. Tait and lv. McDonald.

The singing oi “Auld Lang Syne brought a most enjoyable evening to a close at 11.30, and was a fitting finale to a highly successful meeting.

yarding 3- . ,, , Bring Com-\ard-Headback inand ing 11 McDonald’s Dick 8 7 O 7 5sa McKenzie’s Lass 8 7 4 3 22 K. Tait’s Wag ... 7 5 4 5 21 liousficld’s Quick 7 G 4 3 20 W. Bonis’ Lloyd 7 5 4 3 20

awayStyleNoisemandTl Hinton’s Skipper 10 9 3 (5 28 A. Devery’s Spark 7 7 3 6 23 W. ]3onis’ Billy... 7 7 3 5 22 F. Calcott’s Roy 7 6 3 5 21 J. Marten’s Neil 7 6 3 3 19 J. Hyde’s Jock 8 8 3 0 19