DOG SHOW.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 217, 18 August 1925, Page 7

DOG SHOW.

PROPOSED ABOLITION

FAILING MORE ENTHUSIASM,

The abolition of the dog section of ;he Manawatu Agricultural and I astoral Association was suggested in a report of the space committee presented at the meeting of tho general committee this morning This section of the show, tho report stated, was not a financial success, and suffered from a lack of practical enthusiasm on the part of those interested in it. The secretary (Mr Penny) read a more detailed report on the question stating that the position was most unsatisfactory hew people in Palmerston North, he said, had the time and the means to organise tho Kennel Club’s show, which suffered in consequence. There was, too. a deal of disagreement between those interested in the running of the dog section, which also leaned heavily on the Agricultural and Pastoral Association for finance, and particularly in the matter of special prizes, although Mr W. T. Ball last year had been responsible for raising some £7O for special prize.s. Ho proceeded to detail the financial aspect of the dog show, which had resulted in a loss of £Bl last year, and £9O 11s in 1923. Against that of course, a s/are of tho gate receipts had to he off.-ct, but then -catalogue space f.-omc 40 pages at £1 a page) and other expenses, such as office clerical work, had not been shown as a debit in the figures cited against the dog section. . “This is the position; the loss is \erv heavy indeed,” said Mr J. H. Perrett It is some £BS per annum, without including the extra schedule and advertising costs, which make at least another £4O or more The worst feature is that- those concerned with the dog show are at loggerheads with one another. Who is going to run tho Sll “\Ye should let. the dog fanciers know first. The section is an attraction, and 1 doubt if any one section shows a profit on it. own.” said Mr G. C. Kecble in voicing a plea, for further consideration of the suggested abolition of the dog s.iow. Mr B H Collinson spoke in like strain. Stating that the worst feature of the dog show was the lack of enthusiastic workers on the part of the fanciers. An appeal for further consideration was voiced by Mr \Y. G. Shannon. “Most of . the show classes are; of _ a utilitarian nature,” said Mr \\ . McKenzie. “Of the dogs, about 90 per cent, after taking out- collies and harriers arc ornamental. Further, one animal can take eight or ten prizes. 1 can t understand Mr J A. Nash, M P.. moved that the Kennel flub be informed that, unless it could put before the association some better scheme for the conduct of the dog section, it would be dropped. The motion was carried. Mr Nash commenting that, if the club did not take advantage of the opportunity held out to it. the dog section could* be eliminated. Tho president observed that, on the occasion of last show, Mr W. T. Ball had worked very hard indeed in the interests of the dog section, but his efforts hail not been seconded by other members of the fancy. . It was essential that more practical interest be galvanised somehow, as otherwise the association could not continue to carry on tho dog section.