SHEEP DOG TRIALS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19279, 18 March 1926, Page 14

SHEEP DOG TRIALS.

EXHIBITION COMPETITIONS.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Our Poverty Bay correspondent writes: Undoubtedly the most outstanding feature in the dug trial world since the opening of the year was the yarding event held at the Dunedin Exhibition on February 9. This interesting feature was watched throughout the day by thousands of people many of whom had never previously realised the fascination of the work. It is probable indeed that the exhibition authorities themselves, when they included the event in their programme, did not fully realise what a big draw it was going to be. The event, tor which £so' was ottered in prizes, was conducted under the auspices of the Taieri Collie Club which had held its own trials at Mosgiel the previous week, and the expeditious manner in which it was run oli spoke volumes for the officials of that club. The event was a yarding and driving contest held over a difficult course, and it provided an excellent test of tho capabilities of the competing dogs, Nqrth Island Competes,

Added interest was attached to the fea- j ture by reason of the fact that a number j of North Island competitors were included among the entrants and, despite the fact that conditions were very different from those which obtain in the north, these men acquitted themselves well. W. Jowsev, of Hastings, succeeded in coming third,with Don, whose work at the championship trials at Gisborne last year was the subject of such favourable comment, j His performance was a very fine one, only j a point separating him from the winning dog. Other North Island competitors were also well up in the list, and their presence at the trial has been productive oi good in that visits are to be paid during the present season by some of the southern dog-men to various trials in the North Island. This is as it should be, and it is to be hoped that eventually it will pave the way to a Dominion championship, held alternately in the North and South Islands, at which the pick of Now Zealand's dogs will compete. South Island Association. There is not the same enthusiasm to be found in the South Island in connection with trials as is found in the North, but each year sees a growing interest, and there is little doubt that in the near future an association run on similar lines to the North Island Sheep Dog Trials Association, and having similiar objects, will bef ormed for the purpose of keeping the sport as clean as it has always been. When the North Island Association was first formed it met with scant approval in many quarters, for some of the keenest supporters of trials imagined that it was introdncing professionalism into a sport which must always remain an amateur one. The results of some years of working, however, have clearly demonstrated the advantages of the association which has done much to cement the friendly feelings of the various clubs. The support which it has received from prominent pastoralists shows how completely it has won their confidence,. and also indicates their belief' that dog trials t«nd to improve the standard of station work. The visits of southern men to the trials this season, and particularly to the championship which is being held at Te Kuiti, should hasten the formation of the southern association. Many New Clubs. The official programme of the North Island Association, and the list of dates for the holding of the variolar, fixtures shows that there are many new clubs scattered through the various districts this season. The next three months will see a great many fixtures run off, and the season' will be brought to a conclusion with the championships at Te Kuiti during the first week in June. The holding of the championships there this season is bound to give a fillip to all the trials in that district, and competitors from all parts of the North Islands will be present at the meeting. Last year the championships were at Gisborne, and as several of the men in that district were successful in getting cups, they will be present this season to endeavour to win their trophies outright. Last year's champion, Mr. JUL Parkinson's Bruce, will be among the competitors, and this well-known Poverty Bay "dog will give all competitors something to think about. Unplaced Dogs. A point about which a great deal has been heard at different times is the question of the running of unplaced dogs at championship meetings, and when the 1926 championships come on again this old bogey is bound to reappear. Critics are always complaining that the championships are open to all comers, and that this causes waste time for the elimination of the ordinary dogs which are not up to standard. In actual fact there is nothing in the complaint for it is seldom that unplaced dogs are ever entered in a championship meeting. No dog-man is going to subject himself to ridicule by entering a raw and untried dog at a championship, and although some of the winners at championship meetings have not perhaps scored outstanding success prior to that meeting, it will usually be found that they have been tried out at minor meetings and not found wanting. The entrance fees at a championship meeting are usually sufficiently high to make a man think twice before entering a useless dog, and there really seems no need to worry about changing the present system. Stud Book Needed. A stud book for dogs would certainly give added interest to the dog trials and would eventually prove a very great boon to buyers. This book of course would have to be produced under the authority of some central organisation, and if North and South Islands combined in the matter, a very good start could be made. In dogs, as in everything else, breeding tells, and the records of the wins at the big trials would clearly demonstrate this fact. Thero is no doubt that Mr. J. Lilico, of InvercargiJl, has done more for the improvement oi the breed in New Zealand than any other man, and it would be interesting to see how many of the winners at the championship meetings were bred from dogs originally imported by him from England. Ido not for one minute hold that all his dogs are perfect, and I am convinced that some are unsuitable for North Island work, but taken all round there can bo no doubt as to his success. Other breeders are also perhaps worthy of mention, but his name stands pre-eminent in the list of Now Zealand brooders. The New Season's Trials, So many trials are scheduled to take placo during the next three months, that it will bo difficult for those who desire to visit a few trials in different districts to decide where thoy will go. To Kuiti will, of course, bo the rendezvous of all dog-men during tho championships, but for those who want to get in some practice against good men, there aro a number of other meetings which aro worthy of thoir attention. Among these is, oi course, the Central Hawke's Bay trial which is held near Hastings. Many very good dogs annually compete there, and any enthusiast will bo up against keen competition who goes there. Tho Waikoau trials also attract great entries. At Opotiki thero is dogs can always bo relied upon to give a creditable exhibition. The Raetihi club always has a good meeting and in view of the location of the championships will prooably be better supported this season than usual. Pahiatua 13 centrally situated and tue keenest competition is ali t/J ke found there Another Hawke's I Bay trial which is worthy of attention is | the 1 ewne trial which is run off during ; tho week prior to the championships In i Poverty Bay there is the Wairoa club, j the strongest in the North Island, and the j vvaikohu club which offers some verv at- | tractive trophies. _ The coming trial" sea- . son will be full of interest, and enthusiasts are promised the very best of sport at the many meaanga.