AWAKINO COLLIE CLUB.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 April 1917, Page 7

AWAKINO COLLIE CLUB.

ELEVENTH ANNUAL TRIALS.

A RECORD GATHERING. The eleventh annual Dog Trials held ir. connection with the Awakino Collie Club took place on Thursday and Friday of last week, and proved a success from every point, of view, and it is expected that the Bed Cross Funds, to which the club had decided to devote the profits, will benefit to the extent of £IOO. The entries easily established a record, totalling over 100 (nearly double last year), desjiHe the fact that a large number of well-known competitors are at the front. Indeed, on this account the cups presented by Messrs K. T. Batley and B. Lett were this year withdrawn' from' competition, so as not to jeopardise the chances of several who already have a leg in, but are now at the front. Local competitors nobly rallied round the club and visitors hailing from Whakamara, Hawera, Ohura, Waitomo, Mangatak'e, XTarakopa added interest to the proceedings. The trials were again held in a valley on the property of Mr W. D. Thompson, which was loaned the club. Here the energetic committee had made complete arrangements for, the successful conduct of the gathering, which was so, well organised that all the, events were completed well up to time' on the second day, despite the large entries. The officials all worked well, there being no unavoidable delays. Mr J. Scott, the originator of the trials and a former president, was judge and gave every satisfaction. The principal officials responsible for the successful conduct of the meeting were:—Messrs W. A. Bone, ground marshal; M. Elliott, flag stew' ard; E. Paynter, dog steward; N. Bryanh, sheep steward; C. W. Cross, timekeeper. J. Thompson and A. Sole rendered valuable assistance with the sheep The president of the Club (Mr.. A. 11. Calvert) and Mr. W. D. Thompson, were assiduous in attending to the welfare of visitors, whilst the joint secretaries (Messrs J. C. Harrison and B. Lett) did justice to the work, and earned the enconiums of the visitors and competitors for their unfailing courtesv. TJie sheep were loaned by Mr A. H. Calvert, and though to the uninitiated some seemed- stubborn, it was explained that this was the fault of the dogs: in. not approaching them firmly. The .catering, for which the club had erected a : special booth, was in the hands of.Mi- P. Woolfe, who could not have beett improved upon. '

The work done on the whole was fair, though the judge considered it was hardly up to what he expected,, seeing that some of the dogs competing were the best in the Dominion. He was pleased with the work of some . young ; ahcp'herds. Some of the competitors foiind the course a little difficult.

Excellent advice was given by 'tie judgo and J. P. Corrigan at the smoKe concert, which should tend to increase the educational value of the trials.

Tho principal winning competitors were Messrs J. R. Corrigan and Keith Black.

Mr N, Bignell had charge of the ehecpguessing competitons. On the first day the live weight of the sheep was 93i/ 4 lbs. Messrs E. Whittle, W. Hitchen, and G. McKoy tied, each being %]l> out. The sheep was disposed of in the evening, realising £2O. On the second day the dead-weight sheep was ooi/„ll)s, but the result was not available.

There was a very large number of visitors on both days, including several from New 'Plymouth. Cars were numerous, the splendid state of the roads at present enabling these to he present from all parts of Taranaki and the' King County.

Detailed results, with judge's notes 6n the winner and runner-up in each class are as follow:

Class I.—Heading (about 440 yds), bring back and yard. Time allowed, 15 minutes. First prize £4, second £2, third £l. Points; head 8, bring.back.7; command 10, style 0, yarding 4; total 85.

J. Corrigan's Swift, 6, 0, Q, 6, 2—20. J. Corrigan's Marvel, 0, 3, 5, 3, 4—21, K. Hill'B Joe, (\, 3, 5, 2, 3—19. K. Black's Speck, fl, 4, 5. 2,1—18. G. Olds' Ring, 6, 4, 4|, 2, 0-10.

Swift—Cast to right; went away rather slow and a bit too wide. Came in slightly across line. Set sheep slightly before completing an otherwise reasonably good head in lmin 52see. Started pull rather fast came too quick on" sheep, causing a split; sheep were difficult and hard to pull, but dog's quick, firm style kept them well on the move in fair line. Barked when sheep showed fight, but used firmness and judgment with the hark/ Completed pull in Binin 54scc. Set sheep round yard, through putting in a rash turn. Weak in approach once', bui yarded in fair style. Time), lOmin olsee. Marvel—Cast to right, crossed on cast and stopped; headed a bit too close in 59sec. Started pull a. bit rash and split sheep; let sheep away to left; too keen on sheep in fern. Retrieved himself well, and used good judgment at fence. Time smin Bsec. At the yard, lost grip of sheep once through slowness in getting off the. mark, otherwise yarded well Time, Bmin Sflsec.

Class ll—Driving and yarding competitions, with two dogs, about 300 yds. Time allowed, 15min. First priee. £6, second £3, third £\. Points: Driving 0. stylo 7, command 12, yarding 8; total 36.

J. Corrigan's Tarn and Swift, 8, 0. 9, 7 —3O. M, M, Scott's Sweep and Lad, 8, 4, Sj, " -27. McGlashan's True and iDon, 7, 4, 7, 5-23. I E. Hill's Tib and Joe, 5, 4\, 61 5—20. Swift and Tam—Both dogs started too far in front of sheep. Man too far off coufse. Through hurdles first attempt, Tam too keen to head .sheep. Through second hurdles good style. Good line to yard. At yard Swift turned off sheep, and was a bit rash, causing sheep to go round yard, but made good recovery. Yarded in good style. Time. Grain 15sec. Sweep.'and Lad—Made good line to first hurdle, .which sheep went through first attempt. Slightly off line to second hurdles. Man too far off course Approach bail. Througli second hurdles at first attempt. Dogs changed positions. Another weak approach. Good line to yard. Missed good opportunity of yarding. Yarded in fair style. Time, l'lmin 9sec.

Class lU.-Huntaway between three sets oi (lags. Each flag placed one chain apart on a zig-zag course,, about 400 yds long. lime allowed, 12min. First £4 second £2, third £i. Points . Jh]nj .; away, », command 12, style 5, noise !)• total 3d. ' ' K. Black's Glen, 8, 10, \ B—3l, N. Bignell's Bob, 1, 10, 3, 8—23,

•T. Bcddie's Bell, 7, Ity 3, 7-27, K. Hill's Rose, fl, 6, 3, 8-22. B. Lett's Gyle, 4, 4, 3|, 9-20.

Clen—Started slack; noise not good lup to first flap; too hard at slip; food ! line through all dags; showed very bold approach, sheep boring hard to left, hut dog made good recovery; through top flags good line and good style. Time, (inln Slisec. Boh—Started rash; turned tail on to Bheej; through first flags fair line; put sheep off course through rash turn; brought hack on line and through flags; ran too wide after passing; through top flags, good line; did not show good approach. Time, Dmin ISsec. Class IV.—Huntaway, head., hring hack, and hold in ring. About 4ioovds! Time allowed, 18min. First £3, second £2, third ,-Cl, ■Points: Huntaway 0, noise in huntaway !), command 12, 'head 8, bring back 7, hold 4; total, 49.

«B. Lett's Gyle, 7, 8, ft. 5, 5, 0—33. N. Bignell's Boh, 7, B,' C, 4. 4, 0—29. 0. Mack's Tip, 5, % 4, tf, 2, 0—25. Gyle—Slow at starting; noise good; hunted well up to cliff; turned sheep back near flag; headed rash, cut sheep oft. and pulled in good lino to ring, hut rash; entered ring and let sheep out: holding in ring very had. Time called. ; Boh-«tarted off"well; hunted on good line; headed too soon; came under sheep; pulled to left rashly and split Bheep; ran sheep through rincr: doe failed to hold. fe

; : SPECIAL PRIZES. Special prizes were awarded as- follows: Mohakatino Cup, presented hy the Mokau Coal and Estates Company, and allotted to the dog scoring most points in class I—J. R. Corrlgan's Swift. Mr Bennett's (New (Plymouth) medal, allotted to dog scoring most points in class 11, whose owner has not hecn placed at any previous meeting—J. Toss' Sharp and Tip. President's Cup, presented by Mr A. H. Calvert, allotted to class II to dogs scoring most points-J. iR. Corriean's Tam and Swift.

' Mokau Cup, presented by Mr W. A. Bone to best team consisting of huntaway and heading dogs in classes I and lII—K. Black's Glen and Speck. Mr W D. Thompson's special prize, valued three guineas, alloted to dog in class TV scoring most points* whose owner has not won a prize at any previous trial; confined to Awakino County only—G. Mack's Glen.

Mr. B. Eatlcy's gold medal for best local dog in class in_K. Black's Glen. Mr B. Parr's gold medal, valued two guineas, alloted to class I—B. Hill's Joe

THE CONCERT AND DANCE. On Thursday evening a concert and dance was held in th 6 Awakino Hnll, 'Which was crowded, a most enjoyable evening being spent. The hall had'been tastefully decorated for the occasion by the ladies, and its appearance was considerably enhanced by the lighting kerosene lamps giving place to the Wizard light, which Mr F. H. Robertson, of New Plymouth, had temporarily installed. Mr R. Parr, who acted as M.C., kept matters merrily moving, excellent dance music being supplied by an orchestra, comprising Mrs MeNeice (piano). and Messrs Newton violin and Hill (cornet). Extras were played by Mrs Christofl'erson and Meßsrs Ridling and Warton. During the evening a fine programme of musical items was contributed, encores being invariably demanded. The programme comprised selections by the -orchestra; son°s by Mr* Calvert, Misses" M. Woolfe" and Thomson, Messrs Hansen and Boydvocal duet, Miss Thomson and Mr McMillan; recitation, Miss Collins; and fancy dances by Miss Currie. Dunn* an interval, an excellent supper was "dispensed. The sheep that formed the subject of the guessing competition was disposed of, realising £2O. Altogether the evening proved a great success, the arrangements reflecting credit on tho social committer Mrs MeNeice the president, and Mr R. Parr. '

THE SMOKE CONCERT. On , Friday evening a smoke concert was held in the hall, over 120, including the majority of the visiting competitors, attending. Mr A. H. Calvert (president) occupied the chair, ably supported by Mr W. D. Thomson. After the usual loyal toast had been 'honored, the chairman • proposed "The Visitors," whom they would always try their best to welcome and entertain. He outlined the growth of the clut since it comprised J Scott and a dog, until to-day, when they had nearly 180 entries. Responses were made Messrs J. R. Corrigan (Hawera), who stated that Awakino Do" Trial Club was noted along the coast for its hospitality, Goldfinch (Ohura) and Hill (Pio 'Pio); "The Judge" (Mr J Scott) Avas proposed by the president, who referred to.the success achieved by that official, whose decisions gave every satisfaction. J n responding, the judo e who was accorded a great reception expressed his pleasure at being 'once again m Awakino. Though they had some of tho best dogs in Xew Zealand competing lie did not thirds they worked as they should. He was disappointed in the heading, the dogs not being free enough Til pulling, too, a dog should have go°od control of his sheep. He also stressed the need for good command. A firm approach was also necessary. In drlvinthe dogs went too much off the course' It was no use having dogs if the competitors had to drive the sheep themselves. A huntaway dog should not lose grip of the sheep. All the dogs were too slow in getting away. Some, of the public blamed the sheep for being stubborn, but it was the fault of the dogs in not being skilful. The work would have been better had the dogs taken control at the start, a weak approach being a bad fault in a dog. "Our Boys at the Front" was proposed by Mr J. R. Corrigan, and respondod 'to by Mr Rigg. "Awakino Collie Club", was proposed by Mr W. J. R. Avcit, who referred to the meritorious action of the club in donating its profits to the Rod Cross Fund, which should benefit to the extent of £IOO. This was responded to by J. Harrison, B. Lett, and E. Paynier. •'Visiting Competitors" was proposed by Mr W. A. Bone, and responded to by Messrs Corrigan, McGiaslmn, and Wood The president then distributed the prizes, the recipients briefly responding. Mr J. R. Corrigan gave young shepherds' some homely advice about the trajnin» of their dog?|, urging them to refrain from the use of the stick, which, spoilt their dogs in later life for close work. He noticed that day that while many do"s did good work when working off, t'hev would not work close, stowing that they had been given too much stick by someone in their early training. "The Ladies," proposed by Mr W. A. Bone and responded to by Messrs E. Paynter B. Lett, and J. Frascr. "The Chairman" was proposed by Mr Corrigan. Curing the evening,. songs were ren-

I dered by Messrs N. Bignell, F. Wardell (encored), McNeice, Hunt (encored), | Gin-, J. Harrison, T. Cummins; recitation, Mr Gin- (encored), and duet, Messrs JVoolfe and Joll (encored). Air E. Men-art, of Mount Messenger, made a capable accompanist, and materially contributed to the success of the evening.