THE KENNEL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1266, 4 June 1896, Page 27

THE KENNEL.

itud Visits and Whelplngs will ha inserted under die Kennel Notks in Hie New Zealand Mail for ONE SHILLING ouch iusertion. Kor Kile advertisements, &c., not exceeding six lines, 2s each Insertion. Tlio Kennel Editor will he pleased to answer, through this column, any question as to canine diseases, or disorders, or any inquirios on matters generally dealing with dogs. Items of general interest to do? fanciers will at all times bo acceptable, and our readers are invited to forward any information to the Kenuol Editor, New Zealand Mail.

DATES OF COMING SHOWS

July I—Sydney July I—Blenheim July 17 and 18—Dunedin August 12 —Melbourne September 18 and 19—Wellington

NOTES.

By Fancier

Intending exhibitors at the forthcoming shows should take the hint to get their young dogs accustomed to a collar and chain, and to lead well. Many a prize is thrown away from inattention to this important detail.

It is high time that tho several kennel clubs resisted the pressure of fanciers to provide prizes for puppies under six months. Dunedin and Wellington are particular offenders in this respect. No decent club in England or Australia does it, and why should it be done hero? It is well known that few puppies will show themselves at that age, and oven at their best give no possibility of future excellence. Thero are many other reasons which might bo urged against tho practice, but we content ourselves by drawing attention to the matter.

The Fox Terrier Chronicle of January of this year says of Dusky D'Orsay, tho fox terrier, tho property of a Wellington fancier: —"From his splendid breeding he should do much to improve the quality in that part of tho Empire." On dit that somo of this dog's get will bo exhibited at the next Wellington show, ono of which is a trimmer.

"8.N.C." writing in tho Fox Terrier says " That looking back thirty years when have a better quartette of fox terriers been exhibited than Venio, Dame Fortune, Valuator and Visto."

The Wellington Kennel Club havo taken the bull by the horns in writing off unfinancial members. It is said that many of the names of those written off havo exercised tho privilege of membership, and then havo demurred to paying that which is morally, if not legally, due to tho Club. This, to say tho least of it, is most discreditable. Tho only remedy is to register under tho Unclassified Societies Act.

Tho locally-owned fox terrier bitch Regalia has whelped a litter of three bitches and ono dog to Dusky D'Orsay.

Advance copies of the schedule for the Melbourne show are to hand, and copies may he obtained from either Messrs Triggs, Bannister or Hyde, the local representatives of tho Victorian Club. From files to hand the Club has adopted a system of " amateur" judging.

Mr C. W. Ricketts' \ r ictrix visited Messrs Harrison and Ilorrax's Herdwick on 'ioili and 'JHth May.

I beg to draw tho attention of fanciers to Messrs Harrison and Ilorrax's altered advertisement, consequent on tho numerous sales tiiat havo lately taken placo, through tho medium of the New Zealand Mail. As will he seen from this advertisement a number of splendid puppies still remain for salo by Herdwick and Holyrood, both well-known winners, and in addition, first-class workers.

In last week's "Notes" mention was made of a litter of puppies that Mr Stubbs had out of Hasty, by Herdwick. Ono of these puppies seems to be an exceptionally large specimen, and, although only sixteen days old, it weighs 31b 4oz, which is acknowledged by several well-known fanciers who have seen the dog to be one of the finest they have come across.

The following report of the Wellington Kennel Club is to be presented at the annual meeting this evening:—ln presenting this, the tenth annual report of the Wellington Kennel Club, your committee feels it their pleasant duty to congratulate members on its continued progress. During the year, the merjaber-

ship roll was increased by 15. Tho annual show, held on 15th and 16th November, was particularly successful, and included a Photographic Competition, which created considerable interest. The judging of dogs was carried out by Mr W. J. Smyth, of Melbourne, and the photographs by Messrs Brandon and Mestayer. Your committee refer with satisfaction to the head-quarters of tho New Zealand Kennel Club being transferred to Wellington. During tho year your committee initiated a Produce Stakes for all breeds under carefully prepared regulations, and met with tho very satisfactory entry of eight collies and three fox terriers. Tho competition will take placo at tho show, to be held in Septembor next. The stake will in future bo continued under tho auspices of tho Now Zealand Kennel Club, and the competition for 1897 will take placo in Dunedin. During the year your committee has had the pleasure of meeting several gentlemen from (ho Old Country interested in kennel matters, to the advantage and interest of the Club. Despite the drastic quarantino regulations, tho following dogs have been imported to New Zealand during tho year, which augurs well for tho success of the fancy in tho future : —Two bulldogs, eleven collies, four fox terriers, ono groat Dane, two Irish terriers, one rotriover, ono Skye terrier, ono toy terrier. Tho balance-sheet explains tho financial position of the Club, Your committee regrets that thero is still great difficulty in collecting subscriptions. During tho year your committee, after very careful consideration, have decided to write off 55 country and 20 city members. They are, howover, of opinion that tho incoming committeo should take vigorous measures to obtain payment of subscriptions, and to place the election of all new members on a sound basis. As time would not permit of tho preparation of the schedule and making the necessary arrangements for judging the September show, your committee have taken both these matters in hand, and have secured the services of Mr J. Maude, of Melbourne, to judge all classes, and tho schedulo is ready for issue. In order to give the greatest amount of satisfaction, your committee have invited the Camera Club to furnish suggestions for the photographic competition, and your committee is indebted to this Club for some valuable suggestions, which havo been incorporated in tho conditions of the competition for this year. Your committee havo to tender their sincere thanks to all tho donors of special prizes at the last show. Mr A. W. J. Cook, who has occupied tho position of hon. secrotary for a period of four years, and who has on all occasions been untiring and devoted to the Club's affairs, found it necessary to retire from tho position, owing to having been requested to accept the position of secretary of the New Zealand Kennel Club. Your committee, in recognition of the valuable services rendered by Mr Cook, elected him a lifo member of the Club. Tho position vacated by Mr Cook has been creditably filled by Mr A. W. Stevens. During tho last few weeks a number of circulars havo been received from tho New Zealand Kennel Club embodying many useful suggestions, which havo met with approval. Your committee note with satisfaction the increasing interest that is being taken in dogs of high-class breeding, and urge members to further this disposition to tho utmost extent and to accord the Club the fullest support within their power.