SHEEP DOG TRIALS.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 March 1916, Page 3

SHEEP DOG TRIALS.

| v AWAKINO COLLIE CLUB. A SUCCESSFUL GATHERING. The tenth annual gathering of the Awakino Collie Club commenced on i Thursday, and was continued yesterday, and proved very successful. Being in the centre of a sheep-raising district, it was only natural that there were large entries. The trials were neld in a sheltered valley on Mr. W. D. Thompson's property, kindly placed at the club's disposal by the owner. Complete arrangements were made for the events, including the provision of shelter for the judge, which was appreciated, the weather being very warm. The committee responsible were: Messrs Rockell. C. G. Bignell, F. Wardell, G. Lake, E'. Paynter, K. Black and .1 Mcintosh. The officials were.: T). Black (ground marshall), M. Elliott (flag steward), E. Paynter (dog steward), M. Rockell (sheep steward), and C. W. Cross (timekeeper), who all attended faithfully to their duties, and as a result there was practically no delay. The judge, Mr. N. B. Grant (Westown), had a difficult task, but he was most painstaking in bis work and gave general satisfaction. The work of the dogs on the. whole was disappointing to the judge, though he remarked that this was due to the inexperience of many of the competitors. The weakness was vorv noticeable in starting. Most or (hem easting on the wrong side. Tn driving, (he men stood too far back and thereby missed opportunities, The fault lay 'not with the sheep or the dogs, but with the shepherds, who should infuse more energy into their work, and thereby set an example to the dogs. Messrs. J. E. C. Harrison and G. H. Lett, the secretaries, had a ye.ry busy time, and everything went smoothly. The attendance on the first day was very good. Mr. B. Lett becomes the owner of Messrs. Tweedie Bros' cup, valued at 10 guineas, for dog scoring most points in class 1, he having won the same competition last year.

The sheep-guessing competition was divided by Messrs. A. Colson and M. .Elliott, who each guessed 051bs, the correct weight. The latter gentleman .returned his prize money as a donation. FIRST DAY'S RESULTS. Heading, about 440 yards: Bringing back and yarding, time allowed 15 minutes; maximum point.?: Head 8, bring back 7, command 10, style 6, yarding 4 total, So. First prize £4,"second £2, third £l. E. Paynter's Tip, 7, o, 8, fi, 2 ...... 28 B. Lett's Speed, 5, 4, 7, 3, 0 10 D. Grant's Bess, 6, 3, 5, 4, 0 ....±.< 18 Twenty-seven competitors. JUDGE'S NOTES. Tip.—Cast to right. Went out free. Went up in good line. Headed in lmin 13scc. Let sheep up over hill before heading. Let sheep off course after heading. Dog inclined to run on wing a bit rash. Turned sheep back on course on face of hill. Let sheep slightly off course on flat. Let sheep past yard. Dog did good work at yard, Good style. One sheep very stubborn. Yarded just on time. Speed.—Cast to right. Went out free. Came in on cast. Dog stopped and recast. Headed in lmin 25sec. Headed too close. Started sheep nicely. Brought sheep to face of hill in fair line steadily. Dog lost control of sheep on face of hill. Came on to flat in good line. Dog too far away, a little slack on flat, and very slack in coming to yard. Dog very slack to come on. Sheep forced to yard. Command, fair. Failed to yard when time called. Bess—Cast to left. Went out free. Stopped and re-cast. Headed, lmin 18sec. Headed too close, and started sheep nicely and let sheep off course slightly. Had trouble getting sheep oil' fence. Dog left sheep on face of hill. Very noisy when starting sheep. Had trouble getting sheep on to flat, and also to yard. Let sheep past yard. Time called. Dog slack. Driving and Yarding Competitions, two dogs, about 300 vards. Time allowed, ISmin. First £6, second £3, third £l. Maximum points: Driving 9, style 7, command 12, yarding B—total .10. B. Lett's Fly and Crib, 4, 4, !), fi . ..■ 23 B. Lett's Speed and Guile, 8. 4, fi ... 18 If. M. Rockell's Trump and Nap, f>, 3, <l, 17

Twelve competitors. Fly and Crib. —Started *heep nicely. Dog turned sheep back on course. Got through first hurdle after great deal of trouble. Turned sheep right back on course. Got through second hurdle on first attempt. One dog in bad position. Let sheep off course going to pen. Let sheep past pen. Man lost too much time in opening the gate. . Yarded at first attempt. Dog in good position. Fair command and style. Speed and Guile. Started sheep nicely. Got through first hurdle on first attempt. Through second hurdle in good line at first attempt. Dog made rash turn. One dog'very noisy. Got sheep to pen at first attempt. Let sheep past pen. Speed very slack. Failed to yard. Trunin and Nap.—Started sheep nicely. Let sheep past hurdles. Split sheep badily. Got through first hurdles after good deal of trouble. Let sheep off course coming to second hurdle. Got through on first attempt. Both dogs in good position. Let sheep past yard and round pen. Failed to yard. Both dogs inclined to cut in on sheep. • THE CONCERT. The Awakino Hall was crowded on Thursday evening, when the usual concert was given. Mr. N. F. Kelly presided. A lengthy programme of diversified items was submitted, and, the Awakino district showed that it possessed performers of no mean calibre, the entertainment proving a revelation to visitors. That their efforts were appreciated was evidence by the applause with which the items were received, encores being dmanded and given in the majority of instances. The choruses by the company added much to the effect. Among visitors who contributed were Mr. Goldsworthy (New Plymouth), and Mr. Beckbessinger (Mayor of Waitara). The following was the programme: Pianoforte solo, Mrs. W. D. Thompson; chorus. Misses Woolfe (2), Deen, Parr, Mesdanies McNieca, L. Leeeh, Messrs. MeNieee, Wardell, R. Barr and 6. Lake (encored); song, Miss Woolfe (encored); song, "Mr. G. Lake; violin solo, Miss Thompson (encored); song, Mr. Goldsworth; song, Mr. Bignell; song, Miss Deen; song, Mr. Rockell; duet, Misses Woolfe (encored); comic song, Mr. F. Wardell (encore); song, Mrs. L. Leech X(encored); song, Mr. Beckbessinger (encored); piano solo, Miss Condon; song, Mr. N. Bignell; violin solo, Mr. Preston; song, Miss Minnie Woolfe (encored); duet, Mesdame* Leeeh and McNiece (encored); monologue, Mr, Goldaworthy (encored); song,

Mrs. Calvert; mandolin selections, Miss ,Deen (encored); song, Mr. Lake; duet, ,Miss Woolfe and Mr. Wardell (encored); song, Mr. McGregor; song, Mrs. McNiece (encored)- song, Mr. Beckbessinger; comic song, Mr. Wardell (encored). The accompaniments were played by Mesdanies McNiece (with ,-iol'in obligates by Mr. Preston), N. D. Thompson, Christophersou, and Miss Rockell. A dog, donated by Mr. H. S. Lett, was sold by auction, in aid of the patriotic fund, and brought the following sums: J. Dundon £2 2s (id, C. Harrison £l, C. Harrison fl, X. Bignell £1 13s—total, £.5 15s Cd.