MOAWHANGO COLLIE CLUB.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3474, 30 April 1920, Page 4

MOAWHANGO COLLIE CLUB.

EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL DOG TRIALS. . ‘ The eighteenth annual Cloß‘ trials of the above club were held at Moawhango on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this» week. The. unfit}?ourable weather caused some discomfort, but did not prevent a SOOS Crowd of‘ enthusiastic sportsmen from attending, and the competitors were followed throughout with the keellest interest. The attendance was the best the clmb has ever had, and the entries were better than last year. Though outside competitors were fewer, local support more than made up the deficiency. The dearth of professional competitors was due, no doubt, to the uncertainty of the railway services. The officials were energetic in ‘their efiorts to make the trials a success, and the meeting was carried out in a manner quite in keeping with the high traditions of the club. To. Mr Mccombie, the energetic secretary, a special word of praise is due for the excellence of the arrangements, which enabled the trials to be carried out so smoothly and successfully. Mr Tom Muir fielled the position of judge with admirable impartiality and ability, and his decisions were ac-C":-;)’:e:l with satisfaction by winners and losers alike. A pleasing feature of the competitions was the success of the younger men, a matter commented on with pleased approval by the olddr sportsmen. Mr A. F. McKenzie, a local man, was the most successful competitor with his very promising bitch, Bonnie Jean. Following are the details of the trials:—

HEAD, PULL, AND HOLD IN RING; about 600 yards; time allowed, 12 minutes. Maximum points 50. Patronfs Cup, A. P.‘ Batley, Esq. valued at £ls 15/, to be Won twice in succession or three times at intervals. Prizes: First £B, second £5, third £2, fourth £l. A. F. McKenzie ’s Bonnie Jea.n——4s points. 1 E. Leah)/’s 80-b—44 points H. DoWdall’s Dark——43 points .. 3 E. Lea‘n:v,’s Star—42 points

iHEAD, BRINGING BACK AND YARDING; about 400 yards; time allowed 15 minutes. Maximum points 49. Prizes: First £5 and P. E. Wa.keman’s £5 added, and Watt and Lowry’s Cup valued at -£lO 10/, to be won outright, second £6, third £3, fourth £l. E. _Lea.hy’s Bob—4l points 1 A. F. McKen'zie’s Bonnie Jean--40 points ‘ E. Leahyfs Stal*——39 points .... 3 J. McHa,rdy’s Jed—3B points

HUNTAWAY: Between three sets of flags, each set placed a. chain apart, on zig zag course, about 400 yards long. Maximum points 45. Prizes: J. Cooper’s Cup, valued at £8 8/, to be won‘ twice in succession or three times at intervals. Prizes: Fix-st £B, second £5, third £2, fourth £l. T. Leahy’sr Toss-—3B points 1 W. Cumming’s Monk—-37 points .. :2 A. McCollfs Rough—34 points .. .3 D. Collerton’s Doon—32 points .. 4

?CONSOLATION.— HUNT, HEAD & M BRING BACK.-—e D, Collerton’s Mate 1 ‘W. Cumming’s Monk ..... .. . 2 SPECIAL PRIZES. Ladies’ Bracelet, valued £lO 10/ for best maiden dog in Class I—Ml' J. McHo.rdy. ~ Silver Cup, valued £ls 15/, presented by Messrs F.‘ R. Cotterell, J. Whittle, and J. McHa.rdy——A. F. McKenzie. Gold Medal, value £3 3/, presented by Mr Totman, for winner of teams-’ pl-ize——Mr A. F. McKenzie. Silver Cup, valued at £lO 10/, presented by Mr A, McColl, for best team of three dogs—Mr A. F. MaKenzie.

Si?"-~r Cup, valued at £lO 10/, presented by Mr T. W. Muir (for returned soldiers) for -dog scoring nearest the maximum points in Classes 1, 2 and 3——A. F. McKenzie (outright). Gold Medal, presented by Mr T. A. Duncan for Winners of cup-—-A. F. McKenzie.

Mr T. Leahy won Mgssrs Watt; and Lowry,’s cup outright

Silver Cup, valued £8 8/, presented by Mr J, Cooper to winner of Class 3——Mr Leahy.

The Consolation Cup was won by Mr Collerton.

THE SMOKE CONCERT. Dog men‘ throughout the English speaking race are noted for the good. fellowship and camaraderie which exists among them, but it is questionable whether a more genial and jovial lot of dog-lovers ever gathered together in‘ this district than met in the supper-room of the Town Hall last night to celebrate the successful termination of the eighteenth Moawhango ‘Collie Clubi’s dog trials. There were f11l.I;y_ 70 persons firesent, seated at four ltableps,‘ with all i the good things essential .to thevspending of a:_

social and pleasant evening. The chair was occupied by _Mr G. Batley (a member of the family Which: has been ocnnected with the MoaWa.1180 Club since its inception). SupPortillg him on the right were Messrs~ T- Muir (judge), and W. .\lcC-ombie (secretary); while onlthe aha-il'man’s_ left were ‘Messrs A. P. Batley (patron) and F. R. Cotterell. The» chairman carried out his duties‘ in"a'n_ admirable manner, his genial manner‘ creating a. pleasant atmosphere from. the beginning of the function until the singing of “Auld Lang.” Placed immediately in front of the chairman were seven beautiful and ‘handsomecups,.pa gold medal and gold bracelet, which had been generously donated, and competed for at the three pre"ced—» ing days’ trials.

A_fter the toast of “The King” had been musically honoured, Mr A. C. Morton 3px-oposed the‘toast of “The Moawhango Collie Club” which he said was the oldest in North

Island, and had the finest trial groun'dg~ in North Island, thanks to the Messrs Batley, and supporters in the vicinity. This year the «sheep had been even better than in the past, and the com-

petitors Were enabled to -handle bet-

ter sheep than on any previous occasion. The ézlub Was very fortunate in connection with the donations of cups and tnopliies, which were as good, if‘ not better than in the past. Now ghe war was over the club would have South Islanders renewing their visits to? the Moawhango dogtrials.

The chairman, in responding, voiced hié very great pleasure in .*being‘ back again to see the old trials, which went so well as to cause him great pleasure.

Mr A. McColl (vice-president) said‘ he was always wining to do his best to help the old club along. Mr A. F. McKenzie proposed the toast of “The Donors,” without the generous spirit they had exhibited’ there would have been no trfials here. The grounds end sheep were all that could be desired.

Mr A. P. Batley (patron) thanked‘ those present for the cordial manner‘ in which the toast had been‘ honoured. There were other donors who should’ be remenl\bered——-the men who started‘ the club and worked their dogs at thetrials. These were dcnorg of real‘ value. .

Mr Cotterell said the donors were only too plased to do what they could to help along the Collie Club.

Mr Batley at this stage apologised for the absence of Mr J. W. Whittle who was suffering from indisposition.

Mr Morton in proposing the toast of “The Judge,” asked those present to honour the best judge in‘ New Zealand ——Tom Muir. ‘Not only that, but he was a man who held his own against" the keenest competition with his old’ dog “Speed.” There was only one man on the ground who sees- every‘ move from A to Z, and that was the judge. Mr Muir was fair, conscientious, and capable. Mr Morton con‘cluded by remarking: May he soon“ get another “Speed.”,

Mr T. Muir, in rising to- respond,’ was greeted with loud applause, thanked them for their cordiality. He hoped he had done justice to all come petitol';~‘. He had given the prizes to‘ those who deserved them. It was a pleasure to ibewamongst them once more. Seventeen years ago he attended the trials as a competitor, and Mr McHardy was judge; this year he was judging Mr McHardy’s dogs. There was one thing he was pleased to note, and that was- the fact that the young men were getting away with the cups, and it was a good thing. Mr J. Scott -proposed the toast of “Visiting Competitors,” remarking‘ that outside competition was not quite so keen owing to the difliculy of getting here and away again‘, Mr A. Reid, -in responding, said he was always pleased to come back to good old Moawhangm.

Mr Dowdall paid a. tribute to the judge. He (the speaker) had come 76 miles to Moawhango to meet the boys Mr McCarthy also spoke

Mr Caithness proposed “Kindred Associations,” saying jother associations like the A. and P. ‘Association had as valuable functions to fulfil as‘ Collie Clubs.

Mr Ryan briefly responded. The chairman then presented the cups and trophies to the successful competitors. ‘ Ladies’ Bracelet.——-Mr J. McHardYMr McHardy in returning thanks Ssfid' he had been connected with the club from the. start ,and the 230111133 were the best in New Zealand, and as 3005' as any in the South Island. He thought Mr Muixfs dog much better than his. He hoped some day 750 89* one something like old “Speed."

To Mr A. Ff McKenzie the chairman presented the silver cup donated" by Messrs» Whittle, Cotterell and McHardy; gold medal, presented by Mr Totrnan, as teams prize; Challenge Cup, presented by Mr McCall; Cup presented by Mr Morrison for aggz-e» gate points (local); Silver Cup for‘ returned soldiers (won outright), pre—' sented by Mr T. W .Muir; and gold’ medal presexrted Mr T. A. Dhfican,..

To 'l‘. Leahy, Messrs Watt and‘ Lowry’s (won outright, and Mr J.~ Cooper's‘ Cup. The Consolation Cup was won sby Mr Collerton.

Mt P. Batley proposed the toast of “The Successful Competitors,” refmarking if it were not for ,the ‘competitors, where would the club be? - The winners suitably responded.

Mr Cotterell in proposing the toast of “The Secretary,” paid a, high tribute to the work Mr Mccombie -had done during the many years he held’ oflice. All through the War he had stuck to it, and the club had started again. Mr Mccombie had put all his efforts into pushing the club along. They hoped to have him for many years, and he could assure the secretary they appreciated him at his full worth. (Applause). Mr Mccombie» thanked them all for the way they had drunk the toast. He .was pleased to see so many friends round them again. It was nineteen years now since the club started. Mr McHardy was the first ‘judge, and Messrs Linn, McColl, and Cotterell have stood to the club during that time. If they all stuck together in a year or two they would have the best club in New Zealand. They had a good patron and president. The late Mr Batley was the best president the Collie Club ever had, and his sons were 'W»oTth]f.- successors-. (Applause)

The toast of “The Press” was duly proposed and responded to. _ Mr P. Batley said it was his pleasure and privilege to propose the toast of “Our Taihape Friends.” This was the 19th annual function of the Moawhango Collie Club, and they .ha.d a lot of supporters located in Taihape and vicinity. It was at the invitation of Taihape friends that this year’s “smoker” was held in Taihape—the first held in the town. He wished them to charge their glasses to the brim, and drink to “Our Taihape Friends.” ‘

Mr G. Bray, in responding, said it gave him great pleasure to be present. He had for many years been interested in the Moawhango Collie Club, and he thanked them heartily for making, him a. vice-president. I Mr J. Anderson also spoke, sayingi the Moawhango Collie Club was in its way doing as-«much good as the A. and P. Association. 0-ne encouraged the breeding of dogs, and the other cattle, sheep and pigs. Very few knew how to work dogs properly, and he ‘gave a very amusing illustration of the u-sua_l Way of working dogs, which caused much amusement .Mr Anderson said he Was» pleased at trials just over to see the younger generation Coming to the front and Carrying off the cups and trophies; - The toast ‘of “The Ladies” was proposed by Mr Woods. and responded to by Messrs Carr and Snelling. At this stage the visiting competitors, Who were leaving by motor for home, proposed the toast of the club and the secretary, calling for three _.cheers, which were heartily given and as heartily returned. Mr Ryan proposed the toast of “The Pianist,” to which Mr C. Henricks re-

sponded. 4 The toast of “Mr A. F, 1\I0rtOn” was proposed by the chairman, spoken to by Mr Muir, and responded to- by Mr Morton. .

“The Stewards” (Messrs Whittle, Bx-eweiand Cummings) was proposed by Mr Shepherd. 1 “Mr McCol],’ proposed by Mr McCombie, and responded to my Mr McColl. ‘

The toast of “The Donors of Next” Year” was proposed by Mr Shepherd and replied "to by Mr Gray. The toast'of the “Patron” (Mr P. Batley) and the “President” (Mr G. ‘W. Batley) was proposed by Mr Cotterell and received in a most enthusiasctic manner. The Messrs Batley responded in felicitous phrases, punctuatedwith applause. ' The success -of next year’s trials is assured, at any rate from the point of View of donations, the following being promised: 10 guinea cup, by Mr J. J. Ryan; 10 guinea. cup, Mr T. W. Muir (both these to be won outright); gold medal, valued £5 5/, Mr Gray; £5 5/ cash, J, Anderson; gold medal, £5 5/, Mr Ferguson; £1 1/ M. Wilson.

Songs and recitations were rendered during the evening by the following gentlemen, and contributed very materially to ‘the enjoyment of the function: Messrs ’Henricks, Woods, Dymock, Smith, McGuinness, Dakin, Mccombie and Mcconachie (violin duets), McKenzie (dancing), Gray, P. aßtley, G. W. Batley and Snelling Bros. T

_ A most enjoyable smoke concert ;L‘ was brought to a close Wafter midnight by three cheers ‘for the Ba/cley Bros. and the singing of"‘Au_ld Lang Syne.”