THE KENNEL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 87, 14 April 1899, Page 3

THE KENNEL.

(By Canis.)

The first dog1 show of the season of any note, viz., that of the RoyaJ Agricultural Society of New South Wales, took place in Sydney during Easter, and according' to our intercolonial files the entries were bofh more numerous and the quality more in evidence than any previous year, and some of the dogs benched would earn ; cards at almost any exhibition in the I world. Particularly in fox terriers and mastiffs is this, borne out, In the former classes were Ulendon Vicar and Valasea, owned by Mr H. Moses, Jun., and Donatus. the imported litter brother of Donna Fort mm, considered the best fox terrier in the world, whilst in mastiffs Mr W. Cardin's Hazeldene Noble was the star. The';judging, was. as is usual at this show, carried out under great difficulties, owing to the absence of a proper ring, ;\ blazing1 hot sun, and the encroachment of the public in the spaces allotted to the judges. .Mr Sahdeman. who is ever to the fore in bloodhounds, again carried off all the honours. St. Bernards formed a splendid, collection, and thirty specimens faced the judges. Mr Laurence Campbell, the well known elocutionist, gained the championship with Highfield Merry Hawke. 1 had the pleasure of inspecting this dog for Mr Campbell when he was about nine months old and 1 predicted a good future for him. He has a magnificent type of body, with truly huge bone, good coat, skull, etc., but is a bit weak in forefaee. Of the other twenty-nine, probably the poorest would hold their own with the best we have in Auckland. There were good -classes in all the sporting breeds* and especially in setters. In collies there was nothing extraordinary, Mr drey's Laird of Eton gained the championship, and if 1 remember rightly held the same position last year. *Mr Marr's Petersham Marksman won the open class. This dog was a very promising youngster and gained first *in the puppy class under Mr VYark, when that gentleman was over judging the New South Wales Kennel Club's Show. There were twenty-four spaniels, but these had not been judged when our files left. Irish terriers are very popular in Sydney and there was a great show of them, Eltham Spuds winning the championship easily. Hull clogs were of average merit, Mr Tom Meadows was the chief winner with three first prizes. 1 didn't notice the noted Massey-Watson dog amongst the winners, perhaps Mr Rickards didn't show him. The second annual meeting of the Auckland Collie Club was held at the Metropolitan Hotel on Wednesday evening last, Mr P. W. Edwards in the chair. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year : Patron, His Excellency Lord Ranfnrly ; VicePatron, Mr N. I. Hunt ; President, Mr P. W. Edwards ; Vice-presidents; Messrs Massey, W. Griffiths, A. 11. Myers, A. A. 'White and Dr. Owen ;. Hon. Veterinary Surgeons, Messrs T. D. Halstead and R. P. Kinlock ; Hon. Sec, Mr Parry, in place of Mr T. H. Bosworth resigned ; Hon. Treas.,' Mr G. Read ; Committee, Messrs T. H. Bosworth, J. Jjouskill, W. G. Mason, A. H. Cotter and R. K> De Castro. The secretary's report stated that very satisfactory progress had been made during the past year. The members subscriptions amounted to nearly £2 more than the previous year. The club managed a very successful sheep dog trial for the local Agricultural Society, for which they gave a £.'S/3s. clock as a first prize. They also held a collie show for which the entries were quite beyond expectation.

The Treasurer's balance sheet showed a credit balance at the bank which would be considerably increased by outstanding- accounts—■ good—and the current year subscriptions, donations, etc. The Auckland Kennel Club's annual meeting- was also held on Wednesday night, when the Secretary's report and balance sheet proved that last year's show was the most successful on record. I have received schedule of the Kennel Clul? of New South. Wales Fifth Annual Show, which is to be held atthe Exhibition Building's, Sydney, on June 7th,- Bth, 9th and 10th next; entries close on May 6th. The classes are numerous and well arranged, and the prizes valuable, ranging ' from 15gns. cups downwards. I shall be pleased to give full information to any intending exhibitors. — Address Canis, 'Star' Office. Mr Hall, Chemist, Queen-street, informs me that he still has a number of unclaimed certificates, medals, etc., for last year's. Kennel Club Show, and Mr Bosworth, Symond-street, has also a number of prize cards for the last local Collie Club's Show. Owners of winning- dogs please take note. Mr G. Read informs me that his collie bitch 'Grafton Belle' has whelped during- the week a nice litter of puppies to his dog 'Dick Seddon.' Mr Hora.ce K. May, of Avondale South, writes to say that he has a nice litter of bull dog puppies, they are by the imported dog Maori King— Jip.sej', who is a full sister to Rusticator', winner of the gold medal at the 1897 show. During the coming season we shall probably have the biggest and most important dog show that has ever taken place in Auckland. At- the Auckland Collie Club's annual'meeting on Wednesday last, a letter was read from the New Zealand Collie Club, asking the local body if they would hold this year's show under the patronage of the New Zealand Collie Club, the show to be run entirely by the Auckland Collie Club, and if so they would forward a number of specials, including sgns cups, sgns. clocks, gold medals, etc., for competition. The probability is that two local canine clubs will combine, and j this means that we shall have the best Southern dogs (at any rate in collies) competing, and probably entries from Australia. I sincerely hope to see anticipations realized. .