Kennel Club Takes Plunge on its Own

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7280, 6 October 1933, Page 12

Kennel Club Takes Plunge on its Own

SEPARATE SHOW TO BE HELD NEXT MONTH A largely attended meeting of the Manawatu Kennel Club was held last evening, Mr J. H. Kissling presiding. The club’s recent decision to hold its own show apart from the Mana-* watu A. and P. Association resulted in a number of letters being received commenting' on the decision taken. ■ Mrs F. M. Baker, Dannevirke, stated she was very pleased the club had decided to hold its own show, and felt sure the fixture would prove a great success, as the city was well situated and easily accessible from all directions. The writer proceeded to state her opinions regarding the appointment and conduct of judges at kennel club shows.

The New Zealand Kennel Club regretted to hear of the club’s present unfinaneial position, and trusted satisfactory arrangements had been made with the A. and P. Association. The North Isalnd A. and P. Associations at their recent conference resolved not to run dog sections except under New Zealand Kennel Club rules.

In advising his readiness to judge at shows which the club might hold, Mr Soler, of Ow.hango, said ho sincerely] hoped they would bo able to overcome any difficulties in the way of the club holding a show. It was to bo hoped that .if they decided to carry on, satisfactory entries and a financial success would result.

In acknowledging the circular forwarded to him, Mr H. N. Watson said he had resigned from membership some years ago as lie did not believe that under the conditions prevailing in this country, dog shows could serve any good purpose; in. fact they often caused a good deal of harm. Mr Watson roundly condemned the judging conditions whereby dogs of .inferior quality often obtained championships and special prizes far beyond their merit. "The whole thing .is a farce. At the late Wellington show there were 308 entries, which were awarded 723 prizes, .105 specials and 57 certificates," stated the writer. "Many of the first prize and challenge winners were very poor specimens.

“Unless a show pays its way I do not think that the Manawatu Kennel Club is justified in holding one."

“We 03ce learned from Mr "Watson that badminton could never hold its own. in Palmerston North, but it has been going ahead for four years,” was the comment of the chairman, as the letter was received.

It was decided, in reply to a letter from the IS T ew Zealand Kennel Club, to advise ithat Messrs Hall, Lacey ( Conway and Bedingfield were in every way qualified to bo placed on the official judges' list. It was stated that all the judges :in question had already acted at parades or shows. Some discussion took place as to when the show should be held.

Mr Bedingfield moved that a show should be held in a ha'll available in Lombard street, at the same time as the A. and P. Associations’ fixture in November. The fixture should be a two-day one. Some members considered this would be over-hasty.

Mr Patterson thought the club should make haste slowly, and should set its house in order financially before attempting a show. He moved as an amendment that no show be held until the autumn.

The chairman said finance would be the stumbling block, and they would have to conduct a show with a minimum. of expense. Various opinion were expressed by members, Mr Patterson repeating that the club should not rush into things. Mr Kissling pointed out that, there were a number of outside exhibitors who were accustomed to coming to Palmerston North on November 5 and 6, and who would be lost to the club if the date were altered. Also, the New Zealand Kennel Club rules obliged affiliated bodies to hold a show at least once a year.

The chairman declared that for this show they should Tesigu all thought of a. gate. The time was coming when they should consider whether prize money could be abolished. If people had the interests of the dogs at heart, they would be content to accept ribbons.

Mr Patterson said they should hold oil until they could stage a bumper show that would make everybody take notice.

The meeting voted in favour of holding a show in November, during the currency of the A. and P. show. Preparations will be set in hand accordingly for a show of moderate pretensions. The show was .fixed on as a oneday event.