GUN DOG TRIALS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 November 1943, Page 3

GUN DOG TRIALS

CLOSE OF 1943 SEASON SUCCESSFUL OUTING AT FEATHERSTON PROMISING PERFORMANCES BY YOUNG COMPETITORS The Wairarapa Gun Dog Club closed its season yesterday with a picnic at the Lake Domain, Featherston. The entries exceeded expectations, a happy augury being the large number of new handlers and young dogs in evidence. A high standard was set and the events were very interesting. Outstanding among the young dogs, for which the trials were chiefly conducted, were those of Messrs H. Bannister (Masterton) and W. Nix (Tauherenikau). Mr Bannister made a very fine showing with his two Golden Labradors. Other young dogs which performed well were those owned by Messrs Geary Bros., Masterton (Pointer), W. McGill, Featherston (Labrador) and P. Churcher, Masterton (Labrador), while a special word of praise is due to Mr N. Pressing's (Martinborough) Irish Setter for its finished work in the puppy water trial. In the open classes Mr W. E. Robbie's (Wanganui) Labrador, which neatly annexed the water competition, and Mr Trevor Beetham’s (Masterton) Labrador, which won the Blind Retrieve, were most worthy of mention. Both are young dogs and both worked brilliantly, in each of their separate classes being opposed by a strong field. At the close of the gathering the club’s president, Mr J. Bouzaid, presented the, trophies and conveyed thanks to all who had assisted in making the trials such a success. Mr Bouzaid also made special mention of the duties carried out by the Lower Valley sportsmen —for their capable work in taking the guns, for their generous donation of trophies, and in other ways. Thanks were also extended to the judges of the day, Messrs G. F. Birkett, Masterton (open events) and R. V. Mason, Masterton (all other classes), and to the executive for their painstaking efforts to make the gathering so enjoyable. The trophies, consisting of dressed sheep, fowls, etc., were donated by Messrs Stan Hall, A, Mclvor, W. Nix and one other sportsman. Cash donations from Messrs A. Lobb, G. 'Donworth' and W. Maroney were also acknowledged with thanks. The results in detail are as follow: — Puppy land (6 entries): H. Bannister's Golden Labrador Jan, 84 points, 1; Geary Bros' Pointer, 82, 2; W. Nix’s Labrador, 80, 3. Puppy water (8 entries): N. Pres-, sing’s Irish Setter, 97 points, 1; W. Nix’s Labrador, 95, 2; H. Bannister’s Golden Labrador,. 84, 3. Novice land (12 entries): H. Bannister's Golden Labrador and W. Nix’s Labrador, 83 points equal, 1; H. Bannister, 3. Novice water (10 entries): H. Bannister's Golden Labrador. 90 points. 1; W. Nix's Labrador, 87, 2; A. Mclvor’s brown C.C.. Retriever, 82, 3. Limit, water (9 entries): P. Churcher's Labrador and W. McGill's Labrador, equal 98 points (run-off won by P. Churcher); W. McGill 3. Limit water (8 entries): O. Hurney (Lower Hutt), Labrador, 90 points, 1; H. Bannister, Golden Labrador, 88 points, 2; F. Brough (Tauherenikau), Labrador, 85, 3. Open water (16 entries). —W. E. Robbie’s Labrador (Wanganui),, 97 points, 1; M. Rawlins's (Masterton), Labrador, 96, 2; J. Bouzaid’s (Masterton), Springer Spaniel, 92, 3. . Blind retrieve (open), 17 entries. —’ T. Beetham’s (Masterton), Labrador, 1; W. Gregory (Lower Hutt), Pointer, 2; R. V. Mason (Masterton), Labrador, 3. The winner’s time was 48secs. Mr Mason’s address on the training of young dogs will be found in another column.