SHEEP DOG TRIALS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1453, 13 May 1905, Page 2

SHEEP DOG TRIALS.

INTERESTING SPEECH.

At the social held in connection with the annual meeting of the above, Mr 'W. A. Neale delivered an interesting address. In the course of his remarks, ha pointed out that at first dog trials were anathematized by very nearly every sheepfarmer in the. district. In their opinion shepherds would sit down and make their dogs do all the work, and would not bother about any stray sheep down a gully. Shepherds would be getting too fa* and lazy, and would breed too many dogs, thereby enhancing the butcher’s bill, to say nothing of worrying tho vitality out of their flocks. Gentlemen squatters at that time_ did not take the following points into consideration. By having dog trials and making them public, they could sea tho back-blocker in all his glory—view sympathy ’twixt human nature and animal nature, mind over matter, brains over muscle. The main object of dog trials is in my humble opinion to have the best bread of dogs. The man to have command, to exercise patience, perseverance, and good temper in working his dog. The dog to have the following characterise tics : docility, fleetness of foot, and above all intelligence. There you have tho crus of dog trials. The exhibition we have wit-

nessed during the trials ■ bear out my opinions on this matter. We have seen all sorts and conditions ef dogs, the varied styles of working, and I can honestly say that Gisborne, Frasertown, Wairoa, Waikaremoana, Nuhafea, and Hawke’s Bay are without doubt the cradles of progress *n_ the matter of dog trials. It is something to be proud of, gentlemen, when that worthy sport, Mr G. P. Donnelly, of Ngatarawa, sends Mr Peis, his shepherd, up hero to compete. . Then, again, wa have Mr R. O. Stewart, of Tuparoa, spending his holiday in competing, and carrying off the first prize most worthily. His exhibition of command over his dogs, tha ; intelligence displayed by Jade and Dick in their different classes would do credit to ' any trial held in the Crystal Palace grounds in England. A worthy second to him was Mr Eric Neale with his dog Fan ; and the brothers Neale -are commended

for their energy. I believe they hail from I somowhere in Wnikaremoana, and I am glad to see the young blood of onr new I district so eagerly competing for tha coveted honor of the “ Order of-Fern and I Manuka.” Again, in Mr G. Wilson wa j have another promising member of our already overflowing club,- his exhibition of Fleet's work, also Rongh’s. is well worthy of record. Then we have Mr Kane, | of Te Horata, with his team, whioh is a credit to any district. I am pleased to note that the prizes are fairly well divided over the county. To the judge, Mr W. MoKinnon, late of Maraekakaho, now

I ohasiog up the wily , “ jumbuek” for tho N.B. and H.B. we owe a debt I bis judging gave universal satisfaction, for lit was most impartial and just. MaraeI kakaho, that hot-bed of •’ Hielandmen, warm hearts, the warld o’er,” has produced the finest stock in regard to 'sheep, horses, I a?<l cattle. al»o shepherds, dogs and “ bagpipe players,” whom we are glad to welcome in our midst. I cannot help regretting that some sheepfarmers do not take such an interest in dog trials as they should do.