COLLIE DOC CHAMPIONSHIPS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22293, 20 June 1934, Page 12

COLLIE DOC CHAMPIONSHIPS

SOUTH ISLAND ASSOCIATION RECORD ENTRIES RECEIVED. Attracting a record number of entries from owners representing all the associations from' Marlborough to Southland, the third championship dog trials, conducted under the auspices of the South Island .Dog Trial Association by the Strath Taien Collie Dog Club, wore commenced on Mr A. M’Kinnon’s propertj r , “ Robertslca, Middlcmareh, yesterday, the sheep also being supplied by Mr M'Kinnon, who has always given tlie Collie Club every assist* ance in its activities. For the three events on the programme, two heading and one huntaway, no fewer than 127 entries were received, and it was immediately apparent that it would he highly improbable that the championships would be disposed of in the three days stated on the programme. Although yesterday was beautifully fine and calm, a bank of mist over the lower levels during the early part of the morninf caused a slight delay in the commencement of the first event, for which 48 entries had been received,, and although the various runs were disposed of expeditiously, if was not possible to complete the event in the day, several runs being hold over Until to-day. The course, which was over approximately a quarter of a mile,‘was by no means au easy one, and although of the dogs found the country too dimcult, the standard of work exhibited was pleasingly high, and from the performances of many of . the competitors the judges should experience some difficulty in separating the host workers. . The second event, a head, pull, and yard, which has attracted 47 entries, will be commenced immediately upon the completion of the opening event to-day, but there is little possibility that it will be concluded before to-morrow. The huntaway event, the final championship, has 32 entries, so that it is more than probable that the fixture will, extend until Friday. In addition to the officials of the local club and the association, the presidents of several of the provincial associations were present. These included Messrs J. Anderson' (Otago), J. Purdue (Southland), J. Brown (West Const), and Munro (Marlborough). The president of the South. Island Dog Trial Association (Mr R. W. Trotter) was in control of the meeting, ami, with the assistance of a .staff of efficient officials from the Collie Club, conducted the fixture in a manner satisfactory to both competitors and spectators. 'The president of the flub (Mr W • G. Thompson) was in charge of the ground officials, while (he secretarial duties wore capably handled by Mr R. W. Allan. The timekeeper was Mr J. L. Allan, and Messrs G. Glover, A. Chapman, and I. Corrigall were the clerks of the course. The judges, Messrs 11. E. Ingram (Canter, bury), John Evans (Southland), and A. Henderson (Otago), bad a busy time, but the result of their findings will not be made available until the first event is completed to-day.