WAITAKI SHEEP DOG TRIAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1895, 16 March 1888, Page 18

WAITAKI SHEEP DOG TRIAL.

This annual fixture came off at Hakateramea on Friday last, and proved very successful. We are indebted to the North Otago Times for the following detailed acouut of the trials : — Class I.— Heading and;Bringi.\g,'Back . About half-a-mile. Time, 15min, , Firso prize, £10 ; second, third, £3. Mr A Paterson's Watt, 15 points ... ... 1 Mr It Duncan's Rover, 12 points ... ... 2 Mr It Stewart's Fog, 9 points ... „, 3 J. Murray's (Aviemore) Fly did not get on the sheep before time was called. R. Duncan's (Hakateramea) Rover was sometime in finding his sheep, but on getting on them he brought them down to the circle in good style, the dog working splendidly all the time. Three points were allowed for heading, five for under command, and four for bringing in. R Waldie's (Clarkesfield) Tweed was as unfortunate as Fly in his quest for the sheep, time being called before ho (sighted them. J. Campbell's (Aviemore) Sweep was a considerable tima before he got on the sheep, and failed to get them off the hill before time was called. Andrew Paterson's (Station Peak) Fly got badly away, and time had pretty well expired before she got on her quarry. She worked the sheep carefully after getting on, but time was up before the sheep reached the flat. Six points were allowed. H. M'Donald's (Te Akaterawa) Yarrow never got on the sheep, aud after 10 minutes had elapsed his owner called him in. W. Melville's (Omarama) Don made a splendid cast, but just as he reached the vicinity of the sheep they passed out of sight over the brow of the hill, and he was some time before picking them up. When he got on them he worked rather loosely, and time was called before he had brought the sheep half-way down tho hill. Two points were allowed. R. Stewart's (Awakino) Fog made a good cast for his sheep, but the sheep were wild and hard to work. The dog, however, managed to bring them dowu to the flat, but failed to get them into the circle before time was called. J. Robb's (Station Peak) Fly did not leave the flat to look for the sheep. R. Anderson's (Grampians) Tyne also failed, never leaving the flat. J. Annan's (Omarama) Queeu never left the flat, and also failed to score. A. M'Millan (Otekaike) managed to get Help to ascend the hill, but the clog was two ridges away from the sheep and failed to find them. J. Durward's Nap made a splendid cast, but lost a good deal of time through one sheep remaining behind a bush. After the dog got the sheep together he worked them well, but was not keen enough. Six points were allowed for heading. Mr A. Pacerson's (Station Peak) Watt made a splendid cast, aud running behind the hill came out on top of the sheep. Watt kept his sheep well in command, and working them steadily brought them down to the circle in 10 minutes. The dog was well under command, obeying all the orders given, and the exhibition was really an excellent one. This dog is by Mr Harrison's Mac, who has taken firsts at Christchurch and at Oarrmrn, and is a worthy son of a worthy sire. The full number of points were allowed. J. Green'? (Sandhurst) Yarrow also made a good cist, but had not the moderation in working of Watt. He kept tho sheep well together till reaching tho scrub, where one of the shet'p got away, and failing to get them together in time tbe trial terminated. Four points were allowed. R. M'N-.iir'd (Duntroon) Maid was slow in reaching the sheep, but worked cautiously. She, however, failed to bring the sheep down to the flit in time. Class ll.— Heading, Bringing Back, akd Yardi.YCr. About a quarter of a mile. Time, lomia. First prize, £10 ; second, £i>; third, £3. Mr D M'Knizie's Lassie ... ... ... 1 Mr A Gumu's Hover . ... ... ... 2 Mr W Sutherland.! Dan ... ... ... 3 C. Leonard's (Otekaike) Scott found his sheep and picked up an odd one on the road, but failed to bring them off the hill. W. Moore's (Hakateramea) Tyne made good work from the beginning, and brought his sheep down to the yard in very good style, but failed to yard in

time, W. Sutherland's (Omarama) Dan's performance was almost similar in every respect to that of the preceeding competitor. A. Gunn's (Station Peak) Rover worked his sheep in good style, and after bringing them down to the hurdles hendled them cautiously but failed to yard. A. M'Millan's i (Otekaike) Don made an indifferent head, but brought the 6heep back in good style and was pretty careful in working. J. Annan's (Omarama) Jack headed capitally, and brought back, but his performance at the hurdles was an indifferent one. W. Munro's (Otematata) made slow work of getting the sheep in, and had little time to devote to yarding. A. M'Hardy's (Kurow) Guess went into one gully while the sheep were in another. It failed to find them. D. M'Kenzie's (Station Peak) Lassie headed and brought back well, aud yarded in capital style, amidst cheers. J. Durward's (Kurow) Punch, J. Connor's (Otekaike) Star, and W. Melville's (Omarama) Bet were also competitors, but our reporter left before these trials took place. It was found impossible to carry through the programme, and it was decided to finish Class 111 next morning. This class was for huntaways, about a quarter of a mile, to head, bring back, and yard, the time allowed being 25min. The prizes were £10, £6, and £3, and the winners were J. Durward's Nap, J. Robb's Sharp, and D. M'Denzie's Lassie, in the order named. The other competing dogs were— W. Melville's Bet, W. Ross's Jack,N. Bain's Glen, W. Munro's Braw, J. M'Kenzie's Glen, and R. Stewart's Fog. In addition to the prizes in each class, there was also a special prize of a handsome teapot for the man who worked his dog in the quietest manner. First aud second prizes of 20s and 10s respectively were to be awarded to the best bred dogs working in any of the classes. The trial has been a successfnl one— successful in the number of entries, good arrangements, and good feeling that was displayed, and the committee have to congratulate themselves on the success which has attended the efforts to bring the people of the Upper Waitaki together in harmonious intercourse.