SHEEP DOG TRIALS.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 April 1917, Page 8

SHEEP DOG TRIALS.

SUCCESSFUL GATHERING AT TARATA. j The tenth annual gathering held under the auspices of the Tarata Sheep Bog Trial Club was held at Tarata on Thursday and Friday, and proved quite as successful as any of its predecessors, although the weather 011 the first day was rather damp and made matters rather uncomfortable for all concerned in the early stages. On the second day goo'd weather prevailed. There was a large attendance and there should be a substantial profit, which, as on previous occasions, the Club is donating to patridtic purposes, Entries in all the classes were good, competitors being present from as far uway as New Plymouth and Hawera, and including such noted performers as J. R. Corrigan and W. B. Giant Tha work shown, save in the Huntaway event, which proved disappointing, was of a very high quality, showing a vast improvement on that at some other trials this season The work of the local shepherds was very pleasing, that of a small boy, named A. Ible, not yet I'i, 1 being greatly admired, and keen judges predict a big future for the lad from tue way he handled his dog, which he has only had in training six weeks. The judge (Mr. J. Scott ) at the social gathering afterwards, oppressed himseit as well pleased with the. trials, which jo considered, had been carried out very successfully, the work comparing favorably with any trial he had seen. He eulogised the work of the men who had charge of the sheep, never having seen them handled better. He gave some excellent advice to competitors in working their dogs, and also points of judging. A dog should keep his cast until he heaued his sheep and keep a grip of his sheep in pulling. In holding in the ring, tha dog should be in the right place, even if that necessitated his being in the ring, which some judges objected to. Personally he did not believe in a dog walking outside the ring lko a circus pony. Command meant a dog being in the right place at the right time. Because a dog sat down when told was not commanu. In driving, the dog, not the man, was supposed to drive the sheep. The work at the yard was principally style. This meant keenness and alertness. If he let the sheep round the pen, it meant that he also lost on command. The Huntaway exhibition was a very poor one. He thought the breed of huntaway dogs was deteriorating, and he would like to see some proper hnntaways imported. Most of the dogs seemed to be heading dog«. Huntaway dogs should take a grip of the sheep and use sufficient noise to let the sheep know that he was master of the position. The trials were held 011 Mr. Pi. Paterson's property, the flat with the clear hillside making an admirable site and being again placed at the Club's disposal by its owner. The arrangements were good, the officials all knowing their work, so that without any unnecessary bustle the events were all completed in good time. The principal officials responsible were:—Flag stewards, Mossrs H. Lambert and J. P>. Corrigan; dog steward, M. Martin; mounted steward, Mr. J. Burr; sheep stewards, Messrs'S. George and J. Drummond; time-keeper Mr. E. .1. Ible. Mr. A. Cork ill as president kept a close grip of overjjdctail, whilst. Mr. W. Topping, as secretary, proved the right man in the right place. They, too, with the other members of the committee, were indefatigable in their efforts to make time pass pleasantly for the visitors, and t.he.y succeeded. A special feature was the catering in charge of Miss Guilford. There was a largo attendance of visitors from Inglewood and New Plymouth, who will certainly look forward (0 future trials. Sheep guessing competitions were held »n both days. The first day was d n.d weight, and the sheep, a fine specimen of wether, owned by Mr. W. Topping, weighed 1201b, Mr. 15. W. Wheatley guessing correctly, and donating his prize money to the Patriotic funds On the second day a live-weight sheep had to ba guessed. The weight proved to he ilfllb. Mesdames H. Lambert, S. Pavnter, Messrs. L. Brightwcll and M King guessed the exact weight, and Mrs. Lambert and Mr M. King re-donated the prize mnoey. The results were as follows: Class 1— Open Event. Head, bring back and holcl in ring, shout 300 yards, time 10 minutes. Points, heading 12, bring back "2(t, holding in ring 0, command 12; total 50. First prize £O, second £2, 10s, third £l, fourth 10s. .1. B. Corrigan's Tain 12, 10, 0, 11—43. P. JL Tocker's Chum 11, IS. B, 10—4'j J. R. Corrigan's Marvel 11, 17. 0, 10— 44. i A. Bolfc's Lady Chief 11, 10, 4, 0—43. J. R. Corrigan's Swift 10, 17, ti, 'J—42. Mr. J. B. Corrigan's Tam. Heading.—Cast to left. Started oil' mark very smart and keen, kept his east correctly and headed sheep nicely in a quick, smart style shewing plenty of energy going: out, 40 seconds. Pull—Started quietly and brought on good line, got too much pace on close to ring and gave sheep a sudden start through approaching them too keenly, 4iniu, 4!lsec. Ring.—Entered slightly to left of line. Once sheep were in ring dog had absolute control of them and hold them firmly shewing good style, guard, and approach, Gmiu 42sec. Mr. P. H. Tocker's Cluim, Heading.— Cast to right. Came in slightly on east. to avoid going through fence. Slow at getting away, also very slow 011 hill before heading. Headed nicely but slow. li7sec. Pull.—Slow at starting and liddled about, too much instead of getting to his work promptly and approaching sheep direct. Lost grip of sheep slightly half way down flat, 4min ISsec. Ring.—Entered slightly to right of line, was slow at turning sheep on one occasion. Sheep were moved quietly round ring and dog followed round ring in line with sheep, but he was afraid to pull sheep close up to line, as if chipped line was a trap for him, limin Msec. Mr J. R. Corrigan's Marvel. Heading.— Cast to left. Went out keenly and 'martly 011 good east. Headed close and rash, 45sec. Pull.—Started rash, but kept good control of sheep until halt way down flat, he split, them through pulling too fast and coming on too keenly, 2min <lsfec. Ring.—Entered at side, ran wide 0 nee. but held well, showing good control over sheep, fimin 12sec. Mr. A. Rolfe's Ladv Chief. Hcnding.— Cast to left. Went out free. Headed rather rash, and d»l not. stop in proper place, 45 see. Pull.—Let to left, then pulled too fnM and nS' line to ring, 2niin 15 sec. Itin':.—Entered correct!',". Guard weak. Lost grip of sheep several times, then held fairly well. Gmin 24=pc. Mr -L R. Corrigan'-; Swift. Heading.— Cast to left, slapped, then went on 100 slow., headed sheep but did nut get pro-

jperly round them. Pull.—Started rash and split sheep, then half ringed then, ran too wide 011 flat loosing grip of sheep. Ring.—Entered correctly, was bit slack at start and turned tail on once. Finished up by holding fairly well, Class ll.—Open Event. Head, pull, driv:; and" yard, about 200 yards. Time 12 minutes. Points, head !>, pull 12. drive 8, hurdles si, drive work at yard 10, yarding 0, command 12, total <lO. First prize .-C4 10s, second £2 jOs, third £l. fourth 10<j. P. If. Tocker's Chum, 8, 11, 3, 5, 3 fl 0 I'D—ss, ''' ' Grcnt's Lassie S, 11, 3, 5,2, 0, 0. ■J. B. Corrigan's Swift S, 10, 2 3 " fl 0, 7—45. I*. H. Tocker's Chum, Junr., S, 10 2 I- 0, 0, 7—45. ' ' kjL B. Corrigan's Tam 9, 10, 1, -5, 1, 0, 0, . Mr. Tocker's Chum. Heading.—Cast to right. Headed nicely but a bit slow, PullSlow at starting then brought on good lioe to flag. Write,—Let to right, off touise, then good line to hurdles, l!jrou ,r !i first attempt. Good line to peg, bit slow at moving sheep from peg, and was slightly rash when approaching sheep 011 one occasion. Got sheep up to yard in good position and yarded in good style-, lOnu'n £osec. Mr. W. B, Grant's Lassie. Heading. Cast to left, came in 011 cast then out and made good head. Pull.—Stosk at starting olf, then pulled on a good line to flag. Drive. Good line to too far ofl' line,, through first, at,temp':. Lost g'"ip of sheep after going through l"'a!r line to peg but lost grip of sheep once. Yard—Split one sheep off. Let sheep away few yards from pen from a good position. Prevented sheep from going in yard by getting too far round pen, II min 31sec. Mr. J. R. Corrigan's Swift. | Heading.—Cast to . left. Kept good cast, but steadied up pace before completing head. Pull.— Let, sheep to right, overran sheep and lost grip of them and let them to left, straightened up and brought fair line to flag. Drive.—Dog ran too wide. Man stopped, sheep instead of making dog do so, through hurdles but had not good grip of sheep, let away to right then up to peg. Yard.—Lost grip of sheep and let round yard, brought back in position, split sheep, then yarded, flmin 3!) sec. Mr, P. H. Tocker's Chum. Heading.—Cast to right. Headed too close. Pull.—Started off 011 good line. Lost grip of sheep ,on flat. Brought up to peg in fair line. Drive.—Dog running too wide, not havins good control of his sheep. Through hurdles second attempt. Sheep bolted to pen, not requiring driving. Yard.—Slow at approaching. Let sheep round yard. Caught sheep by head without provocation. Put in some rash turns and 8 sheep, then yarded, lOmin ssec. Mr. J. B. Corrigan's Tam. ,Heading.—Cast to left, kept good cast and headed nicely. Pull.—Started rash. Let away to right against fence, dog too strong 011 left wing of sheep in bringing them away from fence. Drive—Started rash and split sheep. Broke off sheep once and woolled one sheep. Through hurdles third attempt. Let sheep to left then worked rather rash and wild, got too far in front of sheep obstructing them. Yard.—Let past yard, rash, lost grip of sheep, put one sheep round yard, then yarded, 11 min 4(isee. Class lll.—Open Event. Huntaway between three sets of flags on a zigzag course, about 300 yards. Time 10 minutes. Points: huntaway 0, noise 0, stylo 8, command 12; total 35. First prize £4 103, second £2 10s, third £l, fourth 10s. A. Chapman's Meg fi, 7, 2, 7—22. P. If Tocker's Pat; 5, 2, f>. 5—12. G. Stringer's Fleet li, 1, 0," 4—9. 'A Chapman's Mag.—Xoise all right at start. Let hack over line. Recovered again. Control of sheep bad. Through first flags good line Let to left, straightened up again. Noiso fair. Hunted sheep to left. Made rash turn when straightening up. Second flags through in good line. Let away to right, then hunted to left. -Dog not hunting direct on to sheep, showing weak approach and careless control. Through top flags, good line. Class IV—Local Event. About 250 yards. Time 10 minutes. Points, head 12, pull 20, command 12, style 0, yarding 0; total 50. First pritc £4 Ms, second £2, third £l, fourth 10s. F. M. Standish's Scott, 11. 17, 7/4, 443. A. Bolfc's Lady Chicft 11, 17, 5, 3, d—--30. J. Drummond's Tim, 11, 17, fl, 4, 0—37. J. Burr's Tav 12, 18, 4, 2, o—3o. A. Ible's Roy, lfl, 1-li, 3, 2, 3—34. M. Standish's Scott.—Cast to left. Came in on cast. Headed nicely in 34 sees. Pull—Let sheep to right and barked. Bit rash. Too much delay at fence, showing weak approach. Turned tail on and then split sheep. At Yard —Split sheep. Put one round yard, barked and lost grip of sheep and harked. Yarded, hut dog, out of position. Time, Gmin 10,-ecs. Lady Chief.—Cast to loft. Kept: good cast. Headed too close and rash. Started pull'rush. Split sheep twice. Let to lelt. Came across flat in fair line. Dived at sheep and split thc-iu. Hash at yard and split sheep, letting them round yard. Woolled one sheep, Bound yard again. Dog showed weak approach and control of >'heep through being checked too much, and vavded in fair position, Tim—Cast to right. Crossed line, then cut; and headed nicely. Slow and careless iu starting. Puli—Sniffing about. Good line to foot of hill. Let his left through approaching Sheep on wrong angle. Good line to peg. At yardSlack in approach through man checking dog too much. Turned tail 011. Had sheep about penned when dog approached at wrong angle, causing sheep to break. Failed to yard. Roy.—Dog crossed in front of man and vent out 011 left,. Headed rash and close. Started pull rash. Xot good control of sheep. Fair line to peg. At yard—Let sheep round several times, not having sufficient- grip of sheep. Split sheep. and wooled one. Yarded after several attempts. SPECIAL PRIZES. Special prizes were awarded as follows: Mr. A. Laing's cup valued at £5 5s for winner in Class I—Air J. B. Corrigan's Tam. Mr. A. Corkill's cup valued at £5 5s for the winner in Class If was won by Mr. P. 11. Tocker's Chum. Messrs. Keiinington and McMullian's silver challenge cup for dog winning in local event was won by Sir Standish's Scott.

Mr. J. Paterson's silver cup for best rcaidcn dog in the local event was won by .T. Drummond's Tim. Mr 'W. G. Crozier's special £1 for maiden ';ocni competitor was won by; J. Drummond's Tim. ' Mr. I l ' M. Standisii also donated a special prize ol a medal to a young boy of 12 years of aye, Master A. Ible, vsio.se work, for uucli a young lad, was very meritorious He was also awarded a special prize of :,/■ by Messrs 11. Lambert and A. Pavntcr. Several other special prizes have yet to be awarded. THE COXCERT. On Thursday evening the Hall was crowded, when tho annual conc-rt and dance eventuated A feature wa? the lighting, kerosene for the nonce eivin" way to the Alfa light, a clean benzine air light, which Mr. Artog, Mr. Newton King's expert, had installed for the occasion. Mr. Alf Corkiil, President, presided at the concert. ( i t|| o majority of those who contributed to th- excellent programme iiad to submit tj'encoren so insistent was the applause. The programme submiUi..! was: Sonj. Mr. Dnriow; song, Miss Laing; wig, Mi. J. Sutherland; mi.'t, Mrs. Dn-iiim.md and D. Palerson; song. Mr. Rae.; son" Mrs. Golding; son, Mi. Darlow: song, Miss Avann; song, JUsg Lain"; song, Mr. Darlow; song, Hi'r, Golding. Accompaniments were plKyed by Mr. Sutherland and Mrs. Golding. The president announced the result of the first two events, and also thanked the performers for tin; excellent concert and the audience for their attention. After a bounteous supper, dispensed by toe ladies, dancing was commenced, ami kept up till the early hours, excellent music being provided' by Mr. Curreeu (piano). Mrs, S. George played an extia Mr. iS. George making a capable ir:.c, THE SMOKE COXCERT. There was a very large attendance of competitors and visitors from Inglewooil and elsewhere in the Tarata Pubiie Hall on I'riday night, when the annual smoke concert was held and tvto or three hours were pleasantly spend, a number of toasts being discussed, interspersed with songs. An apology was received from Mr. W. A. Hewitt. Mr. A. Corkiil, president, presided, .and opened proceedings with the usual loyal toast, which was enthusiastically honored. Then followed "The Army and Navy," proposed by Mr. E. J. Ible, who remarked that there Was no one but realised that our freedom and safety depended on our navy and army. 'Messrs P. M. Standish anil Jas. Garcia responded. Mr. Dowman also spoke at some length on the part that. Now Zealand had taken in the present war, a part that had not been excelled by any other colony. Mr. John Grieve proposed "Local Bodies," which had a lot of important \\ork to do when normal timed came again. The. speaker looked forward to the day when there would be a tarred road between Mokau and Patea. Messrs H. Sander and S. J. Kenmngton, Clifton County Council, responded, the former remarking that- at present local bodies had two difficulties, obtaining loan money from the Government and procuring of labor. Mr. Kennington strongly advocated tur-sealing ( the roads, and the chairman proposed "Successful Competitors," and in doing so expressed pleasure at seeing so many competitors present, and with the fact that the. prizes were so well distributed. When the Club first started they had to guard against "pot hunters''; now, bowever, local competitors could hold their own with any. He. then presented the prizes and cups won. Messrs. J. R, Corrigan, P. M. Standish and J. Drummond responded. Mr Corrigan stated that ho intended to come again ne.vt year to win the cup outright He urged' the young competitors to put more energy into the sport, which was a good, clean one, and of considerable educational value. He again urged competitors not to spoil a good dog by continual hammering. Mr. E. J. Ible responded on behalf of his son. "The Judge" was proposed by Mr. H. Lambert, who stated that as an old judge, )ie recognised the difficulty of filling the position and expressed nis appreciation of the good work performed by the judge. Mr. ,T. Scott was accorded a great reception. His remarks appear earlier in tho report. "Grazing and Dairying" was proposed by. Mr, Fred Pearson, and responded to by Messrs. 11. Stewart, J. Guilford, R. Morey and J. Sinimomls. . Mr. J. B. Corrigan, in proposing the toast of the Tarata Sheep Dog Trial Club, referred to tho progress made by the club and the improvement that had been effected in the working of the dogs since his previous visit. He noticed, however, that some of (lie competitors were rather apt to check their dogs, just as the dogs were about to do the right thing. He paid a tribute to the work 4one by the chairman, secretary and some of the officials, and he urged members to render every assistance possible. The president, in responding, stated that though he had gone to reside out of the district, he still maintained his interest in the club, and appreciated very much his re-election as president. I-Ic pointed out the advantages to be gained by occasionally infusing new blood in the officials. Messrs H. Lambert, and W. Topping (secretary) also spoke. Other toasts were "nnsuceesful competitors," proposed by Mr. J. R. Corrigan, and responded to by Messrs. Stephens, Street, IT. Lambert, and J. C!rieve;"The Visitors," proposed by Mr. Rae, responded to by Messrs. Thompson, R. Cutfield and F. Pearson; "The Ladies," proposed by A. Paynter, and responded to by Messrs. J. Grieve, Smith and Bonnie; "The Press," proposed by Mr. R. Cutfield and responded to by the representative of the Tnranaki Daily News. "The. Chairman" was the concluding toast." Tim chain: " i paid ti special trilmtf to the kindness of Mr. R. Pateison in again allowing the Club the use of his fine property; also to Mr. IT. Sander for the use of his sheep, which were excellent for the purpose. The secretary came in for a special mend of praise for the amount of work that he had put in in the interests of tho Club. On behalf of the settlers of Tavata, lie invited all visitors back next year. During the evening an excellent programme of musical items was rendered, contributed to by Messrs Rae. J. It. Corrigan, 11. R. ltenall, A. Corkiil, Rangi, H. Lambert, R. Stewart, A. Paynter, L. Street, all of whom had to appear two or three times. ,Mr. Rae played the accompaniments.