NOTES BY TERROR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2206, 11 June 1896, Page 35

NOTES BY TERROR.

• . * I am given to understand that -Mr Jowitt's Heather Pluck, Pearl of Crea, and the Skye teacier will be liberated from- quarantine on tho 13th inst., and that -the owner is journeying to Quail Island to bring them down. * . ' I regret exceedingly to hear that this same gentleman's collie pup by Heather Squire — Heather Bride died suddenly on Friday mocning lasb. This is doubly to be regretted on account of the Heather Squire blood. * . ' In my leading note last! week a palpable error appears in tho assertion that "Mr Hans Hamilton has purchased from," &o. Of course it should have read that "Mr Hamilton has sold to," &o. The concluding remarks of the paragraph, I hope, gave the- one to moet readers as to the correot state of affairs. * . * I am glad to voice in this column the sense of gratification -expressed by the looal fancy at the success achieved by Mr Rogen at Sydney with his collie First Shot. I notice that "Canis" speaks for Wellington fanciers in a similar strain. It will be remembered that First Shot was exhibited at our last local show, held in August, when Mr Jowitt's Rannooh was placed first and First Shot second. It will be most interesting'to notice the decision given by Mr Smyth at' our next show, to be held on the 16th, 17th, and 18th prox., when I hear that Mr Rogen will 'bring several of his kennel, including First Shot, to compete.- If this is done the judge* deeulon will be watched very oloselj, as not only will Rannoch compete, but also Mr Jowitt's latest importation) Heather Pluck, and several other well-known collies. *. * ."Fancier," of the New Zealand Mail, says :— " It is" high time that, the several kennel olubs resisted the pressure of fanciers to provide prizes for puppies under six months. Dunedin and Wellington are particular offenders* in this respeot. No decent club in England or Australia does it, and why should it be done here ? It is well known that few puppies will show themselves at that age, and even at their best give no possibility of future excellence. There are many other reasons which might ba urged against the precbice, but we content ourselves by drawing attention to the matter." * . * I think if this cantion holds good for puppies it also holds for adult dogs. I certainly think that the puppy class ought to be encouraged, not of coune to the detriment of the dog daises, -but as puppies. Of course, I can only speak for Dunedin when I say there has not been anything very special set apart for pups unless cups or trophies have been given by breeders for their respective breeds. V To aj mind} turnover, there is • ■&}

[ grievance which might ba ventilated in the interests of olubs. I refer to the tendency of fanciers to complain that their own spesial breeds are overlooked in favour of other fancies. The fact is — and it should be patent to all — that fanciers have merely to push their own interests to the best of thsir ability to ensure that the club representing them follows suit. Ifc will always be found that if prominenoe is given to one or two particular breeds it is because the 1 gentlemen favouring those breeds are genuine and enthusiastic fanciers whom it is impossible to iguoro, and it will aa invariably be found that the complainants or growlers are more intent upon throwing mud at the association that oould help them than attending to 'their own affairs. Of course this remark is not intended as an excuoe for an- association going oat of its way to make itself singular (as amongst other clubs) in the interest of a particular fancier. • . ' What was no doubt a very nice young fox-terrier bitoh, consigned by Mr Triggs (of Wellington) to Mr Brodie (of Invcrcargill), was shown me a few days since. Unfortunately, however, it was in such a state as regards condition and cleanliness that I could hardly tell its colour. V' Dogs axe allowad to roam at large in Madagascar, and in their frequent excursions they have constantly to pass over tho streams' of this swampjr island. Here they are waylaid by those horria alligators, which regard a dog as a dainty morsel. This is how the canine quad- . rupeds contrive to dodge the "cocandrilles," as the Frenoh linesmen call them. They will assemble in a pack of half a dozen or more near the bank of tbe river, and oommonoe barking with all their might. Whereupon shoals of alligators are seen converging to the spot in eager expectation of a copious feast. When all the alligators of the neighbourhood are got together, the dogs start off at a gallop and cross j the river in safety two or three hundred yards up stream. A remarkable proof this of the instinct and intelligence of animals.— Revue Anecdotiqao.