RIWAKA COLLIE CLUB.

Motueka Star, Volume II, Issue 66, 1 April 1902, Page 4

RIWAKA COLLIE CLUB.

The annual trial of the above Club was held at Mr Thomas Macmahon’s estate on Saturday last. The day, was cool and refreshing and the attendance larger than on previous occasions the spectators coming from Nelson, Takaka, Wakefield, and other parts of the district. In addition to the entries received, and published in the Motueka Star on the 25th of March, about a dozen additional ones came from Takaka. Owing to the wet weather prevailing in that district it was impossible to post them to reach the Secretary on the due date and under the circumstances the Committee decided to accept them, although their action was objected to. The programme was started about half past eight a.m., the sheep worked being obtained from Messrs James Cook and H. O, Drummond. Messrs J. Stuart Wratt and J. W. Flowers officiated as judges, giving general satisfaction. The time keepers were Messrs A. Drummond and J, Woolf, and the flag stewards Messrs C. Rogers, D. McGaveston, and E. Rosser. Mr H. Byrne discharged the secretarial duties in an efficient manner, and to him together with Messrs Wratt, E. James, and Drummond, we are indebted for assistance. A refreshment booth was erected on the ground under the charge of Mr Byrne’s assistant, and at midday the officials partook of an excellent luncheon laid out by Mrs Byrne and her staff. The following is a list of the events got off. Heading and bringing back, about yards. Ist prize £2, 2nd prize 15s, 3rd prize a clock given by Mr J. Rosen. Time 10 minutes. H. Rose’s Joe, 28 points ... ... 1 J. Willson’s Scott, 27 points ... 2 H. Grooby’s Boss, 26points ... 3 Heading, bringing back, and yarding, about 150 yatds. Ist prize £1 10s and Cup valued at £2 10s, 2nd prize £1 ss, 3rd prize 10s. Time 12 minutes. H. Rose’s Joe, 39 points ... ... 1 Ik Groobys Joe, 38 points ... ... 2 J. Harwood’s Floss, 37 points ... 3 In this event, which excited a good deal of interest amongst spectators and competitors, the winning dogs did good work throughout. The maximum number of points was 40, and it will be noticed that Mr Rose’s nomination scored within one of the possible ; the second dog two, and Mr Harwood’s Floss three. Farmers’ or Drovers’ competition. Owners to work two dogs driving ten siieep through three flights of hurdles. Distance about five hundred yards, and bring back and yard. The pair giving the best exhibition of woik to be the winners. Ist prize £2 10s, 2nd prize £l. Time 12 minutes. D. McGaveston’s Scott and Buffer, 28 points... ... ... ... 1 E. Rosser’s Critic and Fly, 19 points 2 J. Franklyn’s Joe and Bruce, 18 pts 3 The winning dogs in this event were undoubtedly a first class pair, which were well under the control of Mr D. McGaveston, working together evenly, the sheep showing no signs of distress when finally yarded. The task was done in quick time, and the points scored were within two of the possible. Puppy Stakes, heading and bringing back, about 150 yds, Ist prize £l, 2nd prize 10s. Time 10 minutes. J. Franklyn’s Cronje ... ... 1 This was the only prize awarded, Cronje being the only dog which carried out the conditions, and his time was considered too fast by the judges. Hunt away, dog to drive three sheep about 200 yds and bring back and yard. Ist prize £2, 2nd prize 15s Time 13 minutes. In this event no prize was awarded by the judges, no dog doing the re-

quired task. The special prize of 10s 6d # given by Mr Henry Byrne to the owner of dog scoring most points during the day falls to Mr H. Rose, whose total was 67,. the next in order being E. Grooby 38, and J. Harwood 37 points. Taken altogether,, the trial was a satisfactory one, and as outsiders, are interesting themselves in the annual event ifc has been suggested that next year an effort should be made to make the gathering more popular and instructive to competitors by increasing the prize money and limiting the events to say, three, the trial to extend over two days. No doubt when the Committee is called together the matter will be fully discussed.