BALFOUR SHEEP DOG TRIALS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2205, 4 June 1896, Page 34

BALFOUR SHEEP DOG TRIALS.

The second annual meeting of the Balfour Association waa held on Wednesday and Thursday, 27th and 28th ult., and whs, I have no hesifcat ; on in saying, the mosfa successful meeting of the sort that h&s ever been held in the colony, the liberal prizes offered by the association no doubt tending thereto. Competitors came from all parts, and the number of entries in the different classes was 10 targe that it took two wholo day 3to get through with* the work. Mr M K'.llar makt s a splendid secretary, and a large amount of the m&atiug's success was due to his tact and ability in carrying on the proceedings. Mr Robert Wa'aon (Castlerock), Me D. Gillandtra (A«llu3s»), and Mr Jacbson were the judged, and the fact; that there nu not • single protest made is criterion enough of their judgment. In the Setters' Class (400 yds heading, bringing back and yarding ; time^ 20min)— first prize, £a and cup ; second, £3 ; third, £2 ; eight entries — the winners were : R. Fortune's Bob, 20pointi, 1 ; A. Stewart's Lassie, 19 points, 2 ; D. McLean's Moss, 18 points, 3. Only three dogs managed to yard the sheep in this class, Mr Anderson's being one of them, but he was disqualified for overstepping the circle at the hurdles. Mr M'Lean's Moss did not inanago to yard, but he made good Work. In Class 2 (headiug and yarding ; fiOOyds ; time, 30m in ;£0 entries) there was a good deal of work for the gatherer up, for a good many of the dogs failed to find the sheep. "Messrs Johnstone's dogs were nearly perfect in their work. The points were :— Heading, 6; bringing back, 10; yarding, 14. First prize, £3 and cup; second, £3; third, £2. The winners were : w. Johnstone's Gin, 31 points (I point for general excellence), 1 ; G. P. Johnatone's Black, 30 points, 2; A. Sinclair's Wily, 29 points, 3. OUss lll— Hunt-away 400 yds, bring back and yard ; time, 20min. Points : Huntaway, 5; bringing back, 15 ; yarding. 10 points. There were 12 I entries, and the winners were : M'Kenzie's Tyro, 26 points, 1; Yardley"s Bob, 21 points, 2; M'Kinnon's Roy, 20 points, 3. Class IV — Ft dogs under 18 months old ; to 1 bring back 3t%ds and hold at yard. First prize,

£2 i second, dEI; third, 103. The winner was A. M'Kinnon's Roy, 30 points ; T. Moffott'a Blnck, 15 points, 2; P. -Penteki'-a IVeed, 14 points, 3. In this clasß there was some great work done, and aorae of them worked weU for young doga. Messrs Johnstone'sandlJ'Kinnon's dogs were the finest trained doga I have ever seen, Mr M. Ktnnon failed to yard with his Roy in Class If, but I think he can justly bo pronfl of possessing such an obedient collie. Mr J. S. Thomsou, president, ft cup valued at 6g9, but the winner was not decided when I left. Ther.e was a great gathering of the public the first day, and everything went off without 0. hitch. The sheep were supplied by the New Zealand Agricultural Company, and good sheep they -were.— Southland Times correspondent.