NOTES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1321, 24 June 1897, Page 26

NOTES.

[By Fancier.]

I notice in a southern exchange that Messrs Brodie and Dunlop, of Invercargill, have decided to retire from the collie fancy, they having disposed of Holyrood and a young bitch, by First Shot—Faithful, to Mr John Murphy of Benmorc. Mr Murphy, it is stated, intends to breed a combination of the working and show dog.

I understand the Southland Society have invited Mr Alf. Clifford, of Wellington, to judge their forthcoming show in July. It is probable that, seeing that he is at present in Dunedin judging there, that he will accept the position. I wish to congratulate them on their selection.

Wellington fanciers will, no doubt, regret to learn that they are about to lose the services of Mr H. W. Didsbury, who has been appointed to take charge of the N.Z. Insurance Company's branch office that is being opened at New Plymouth. Mr Didsbury has been a most energetic worker for the club, and as committeeman for the last three years he has rendered valuable service. I hope that he will not be entirely lost to the fancy, but that he will do what he can for its welfare in the district that he is going to. He mil take with him the best wishes of the club.

Airedale terriers are fast finding their way into the-.kennels of enthusiastic fanciers. Mr Hill has disposed of another of his to Christchurch.

I am sorry to say that 'the entries from Wellington for the Dunedin Repord Reign Show will not be many. Messrs Harrison and Horrax will be about the principal exhibitors with a team consisting of Herd wick, Hilarity and Otira Bruce.

Mr Triggs has evidently regretted parting with his fox terrier, Dai-kie Dominie, to Mr Thompson, of Sydney, as he has re-purchased the dog, and it will be back again in Wellington very shortly.

Mr Laurence Travers, of Gainsborough, says the Australasian, reports that a pointer bitch in his possession recently whelped seventeen puppies, only three of which were bitches. Last year the same pointer whelped eleven puppies in one litter, all of which were dogs. Pointers, as a rule, are a prolific breed, but the above record is certainly far above the average. • • » Mr J. V. de Beer, who for several years past was a member of the committee of the leading society in this colony (says a Melbourne paper of June sth) takes his departure for New Zealand where he may stay either temporarily or permanently, as the case may be. Mr de Beer was not only on the committee of the society alluded to, but was a working member of that august body. .. . With Great Danes Mr de Beer's name will always be associated in this colony, for he was one of the earliest importers of this breed of dogs. His champions, Laura' and Theodore, are well-known and esteemed, and the progeny from his kennels were always to the fore in show competitions. Latterly, through want of room and want of time, Mr de Beer had to give dogs "best."

A contemporary publishes the following ominous items, culled from an account book, revealing the depredations of a fox terrier. The figures speak for themselves :" A fox terrier pup, £5 5s ; license, 7s 6d; crier and printing and distributing small, bills, £2; reward to finder of dog, £1 ; compensation to errand boy, 5s ; dog whip, 2s 6d; sticking plaster for self, 6d; medical attendance, £1 10s ; tailor for new trousers, 10s ; compensation to Mr Grlennydot for loss valuable Persian cat, £25 ; costs in case in reference to the above, £258 16s "4d; paid man for shooting dog, 6d."

The Otarjo Witness says : "A writer of kennel news in Melbourne, referring to the .successes at the recent Sydney show of puppies bred from Victorian dogs, mentions amongst others First Shot as a wdl-kuowri Victorian sire. Would it

!.]•;(, !>.'! as well if in futuro this dog were referred to as an Australasian rather than as a Victorian prodigy '? New Zealandeis could then feel that they still had a little claim to pride themselves on his production.