EGMONT SHEEP DOG TRIAL CLUB.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume VXII, Issue 7154, 20 March 1901, Page 2

EGMONT SHEEP DOG TRIAL CLUB.

_» FIRST ANNUAL MEETING. The first annual meeting of the above club took place on Tuesday. The day was cold and uninviting, a strong wind blowing, with occasional showers. The scene of the trial was Mr McLean's property, Waingongoro, and, notwithstanding the unfavourable elements, fully 500 persons, inoluding a large number of ladies, were present to witness the proceedings. That the trial was interesting goes without saying, and the coign of vantage was excellent. 'A long terraoe gave a full view of all the manoeuvres of the dogs, and the large gathering evinced the greatest interest in the proceedings. Mr G. C. St. George, as honorary secretary, carried out his duties in a thorough and efficient manner. The publican's booth and refreshment stall were run by Mr Lenehan, of Normanby, and he succeeded in pleasing and satisfying his numerous patrons. Mr F. McGuire, the member for the district, was present. As judge, Mr R. Smith, of Onslow Park, Pahiatua, gave the utmost satisfaction, and his kindly counsel made prior and after the trial should stand local competitors in good stead. Before the trial commenced Mr Smith, who understands all the "fine points " of working dogs, and who, in his younger days, was a well known aud successful competitor at similar trials to the one under notice, assembled the various competitors, and directed a few words to them, Mr Smith has been a judge at similar trials in other parts, and he pointed out first the value and popularity of sheep dog trials, and then the absolute neoessity of having the animals thoroughly under command. He was satisfied that the district could maintain and support a club,- and was glad to be present to meet old friends, specially mentioning Mr Livingston and MrLambie. At a trial he judged at recently, a Chipaman too,k first prize, and if a Chinaman could train a dog, surely a European could. After explaining various matters in r^spiect of trittls^ ho montioned jJ^haLik a

him at the conclusion of the trial as to j the reason of his decisions, he would be ' only too happy to supply the information. The trial commenced. The'firsfc trial was heading and bringing back, the distance the dogs were sent out being about a quarter of a mile. As some of our readers maybe unacquainted with the mode of procedure, we might mention that the man whose dog is competing stands in a ring. The sheep (5) are let go at the limit of the distance, and the dog is then sent out, and has to bring the sheep into the ring, the worker in the meantime not being permitted to go beyond the prescribed boundaries of the circle. There were 28 entries for the first trial, and, after withdrawals for non-appearance, 21 competed. Points were allotted by the judge for I heading, bringing back, command, holding, and style, and the working of the dogs was clever indeed, and quite a revelation to many, and the public manifested the greatest interest in the efforts of the dogs, quickly recognising good work by giving rounds of applause. Mr Boddie's Taipo was the first dog to work. He went out well, found the sheep, and worked to yard, though at times, the work he did was careless. Mr Foreman's Paddy also worked well, though in going out he went between his owner and the sheep. After some wide working he yarded. Mr J. W. Bakers Sin and Mr Buchanan's Fly put m some good work. Mr J. Clout's Bounce cast well, and, heading in good style brought back his sheep without a mistake, though he

failed for being under command. Mr Piper's Darkie and Boy failed to yard. Mr B. C. Ly9aght's Bama is a useful sort, but was cast too low, and did not find his sheep readily. Miss M. Wachsmann's Ned made a straight line for his sheep, but drove them over the hill, and lost. Mr Wachsmann's Scott worked rather hard, and lost a sheep on the way. Messrs A. Hunter's Jeff, F. V. Lysaght's Dirk, and P. Eastbury's Flora failed to get sigh^f the sheep. Mr Baker's Joss "castaway well, and, working well, yarded in good]style. Mr Foreman's Floss drove over, the hill and lost, and Mr Piper's Tiny, who was last to work in the first class, worked too vigorously. In Class 11., heading, bringing back, and yarding, there were 23 entries, but these were reduced to fourteen, and half of thia number failed to yard. Four hurdles were set ud within flags, and the dogs had to bring the sheep from the same place as in the first competition. Of those that yarded, Paddy put in good work, being steady and careful; Mr S. Lindsay's Spring also worked well, though in his first effort the sheep had gone too far up the hill before the dog was sent out. Mr Piper's Clyde worked well, but did not head his sheep satisfactorily. Mr J. H. Baker's Joss took some time in casting,* but ultimately found, and, working well under command, yarded. Mr Boddie's Taipo

; put in some really good work, bringing , his sheep to the yard in good time, but , failed to pen. Mr J. H. Baker's Sin i ran out well, and after a deal of patient i working got the sheep in. Mr A. . Brough s Boy circled his sheep, but afterwards made a good showing and ; penned. 5 The hunt away class brought out nine \ competitors, but the dogs are not used I to this style of working, and as a result I it was not so good as either of the other I two styles of working. Mr A. Brougli's I Boy shaped the best. This brought the competition to a » close, everyone being well satisfied. . The stewards worked hard, having n . deal of work to do, and doing it well. : In the evening a large and representative gathering took place at the Commercial Hotel, when Mr Smith, the judge, delivered the awards. Before doing so, he gave an interesting address I to the competitors, saying that though there might be some who were aggrieved, he hoped they would take the beating they had received in the right I way. As to the result of the trial, he I congratulated the owners of dogs on the good work done. Some dogs did not I show out as well as they might have done, and some of the young men did I not work their dogs in a proper manner, due of course to their not having a I proper knowledge of how to guide their . animals. In regard to the size of the I ; ring where the man stood, it was too I1I 1 large, and should be smaller next year. I The hunt-away trial was not very good, ' but this was one that was not of much •; service. The only praotical huntaway work done by dogs was to , j drive to a corner of a paddook ; and send the sheep through a | gate. He counselled those having ) J sheep dogs to have the animals I thoroughly under command, pointing . out cases that day where the dogs were : I working without taking any notice of their master, Instead of yelling, Mr \ Smith said it was best to work the dogs by a whistle. That day a time limit had been set, but the judge was the beat able to tell whether a dog had taken too long over his work or not. After dealing in a general way with dog trials and working, he said that when he went back he would suggest affiliating and working under one code of rules. The Eginont Club had made a splendid start, and he would be glad at any time to give the club any assistance in his power. (Applause.) Mr Smith then made his awards, as follows : — Heading and bringing back: Mr J. H. Baker's Joss, total, 28 points, 1; Mr W. Foreman's Paddy and Mr J. Clout's Bounce 27, equal, 2 ; Mr H. Boddie's Taipo 21, 8. Heading, bringing back, and yarding : Mr W. Foreman's Paddy, 33 points, 1 ; Mr J. H. Baker's Joss, 31, 2; Mr S. Lindsay's Spring and Mr J. H. Baker's Sin, 27, equal 3; Mr G. E. Piper's Clyde. 29, 4. Hunt-away : Mr A. Brough's Boy, 12 points, 1 ; Mr A. Piper's Fan, 11, 2; Mr W. H. Foreman's Floss, 8, 3, Best dog under commend: Mr W. Foreman's Paddy, 1, Second best dog under command : Mr J. H. Baker's Joss, 1. Best dog in Class I. : Joss. Class II. : Paddy. Class 111. : Boy. Mr Lysaght proposed a very hearty vote of thanks to Mr Smith for the excellent way he had judged, and tho capital advice he had tendered. He qould say regarding the way Mr Smith had carried out his duty, none could do better ; no one could be dissatisfied. j Mr Greaves endorsed what Mr Lysaght said, and the motion was carried by acclamation. Mr Smith briefly thanked the company for their expression, and also acknowledged thanks to the many gentlemen who had been so kind to him during his short stay in Hawera, and the gathering dispersed.