ALBURY SHEEP DOG TRIALS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2363, 8 June 1899, Page 40

ALBURY SHEEP DOG TRIALS.

(Fkom Ovb Own Cokrispondint.)

The second contest under the auspices of the Albury Sheep Dog Trials Club was started on Wednesday, the 24th ult. The first competition undoubtedly was a most gratifying one, betokening a widespread appreciation of a jvery good programme, and attracting the cream of ability in this special line from all the leading dog trials clubs in both Otago find Canterbury. Not a single club but was I Well represented by one or -more of its mem- ! bers who had proved successful in competitions at home, and in more than one instance further afield as well, and though the local I club was by no means strongly in evidence, j jthe record entry of 148 was received for the j three principal events. Everything that could be devised to crown the operations of the club ! (with sucoess was carefully seen to, and if the , meeting had only been blessed with Queen's I .Weather nothing more could be desired. But, j alas! that's just where the nib came, and it i ds to be hoped the elements will be more propitious in future. However, despite this drawback, no exception could be taken by the ; most exacting critic to the manner in which ' the officials performed their arduous duties — in fact, the whole show was run with the regularity of clockwork. The ground chosen for ■ the trials was an admirable one, being situated . on the face of "The Brothers," the property of the New Zealand and Australian Land ' Company, kindly lent by C. N. Orbell, per i Mr Dickson. The sheep — for which the club's thanks are due to Mr Rutherford — answered J the purpose excellently, and would be hard to beat. The task of liberating the various irios ' was allotted to Xli John Anderson, and the • choice could not have been improved upon. Mr J. Sutherland, who aoted as timekeeper, well earned the praise- bestowed on his performance of a most trying duty, taking into consideration the unfavourable st-ate of the Weather. The secretary, Mr D. Stewart, was )is untiring as ever in attending to the interests of his club and studying the wishes of the public, and the club are to be congratulated on having secured the services of this gentleman. Mr W. O. Rutherford, the popular j judge, was the right man in the right place. General duties were ably carried out by Messrs Fraser Brothers and other willing hands. The catering for the well-being of the inner man was attended to by Mrs Cowper, and the appreciation of her viands was evident by the daily increase of attention paid her tables. . i

The projoumme consisted of the three usual

events — viz., 1, Huntaway; 2, Yarding; 3, Long Pull. The finst was taken in hand early on Wednesday, when, considering the bad weather, a very large gathering of those interested and their friends put in an appearance. The judge was provided with a tent co placed as to enable him to have a commanding view of th« flagged-off course along which the dogs had to drive out their trios. From the outset it was evident that, as is usually the case if favourable weather does not prevail, there was a lack of animation on the part of the perfcrmers, and the result of their labours proved far from gratifying to the spectators. On this occasion the trial was exceptionally open, not half a dozen of the 39 nominations succeeding in qualifying for a prize. .Several of these were beaten in the matter of points scored, but the rules of the club require the sheep to be got through the second flags in order to qualify for a prize. Thi3 surely is an error, or the judges must be in fault for giving high points to a dog that fails to cover half its task. This is a view entertained by a good many. One or two instances ocurred where full points were given for " command," whereas it is only too often the case that good command is shown in the earlier part of the course, and quite the reverse when the dog gets a bit off hand. The same remark, too, applier in a measure to " noise." Many dogs — heading dogs espcially, if on the old side — will bark freely enough about hand, but if let a bit away will fail in noise, and exhibit a determined inclination to head. However, when doctors differ, why shouldn't judges also disagree?

The f oilowing are the awards : — HUNTAWAY.— Prizes : &1, £3, £2, and £1. Mr J. Annan's Jock. 20 uoints .. .. .. 1 .. 2 .. 3 .. 4

Mr B. Fraser s Fame, 19 points .. Mr W. Hogg's Darkie, 38 points .. Mr C. Johnstone's Don, 16 points .. Mr J. Hogg following with 13 points

The judge allotted the points as follows: — Mr G. Evans's Glen, 23 points ; Mr H. Little's Rane, 21; Mr W. Melville's Flora, 16; Mr J. M'Leod's Fox, 14; and Mr G. Thompson's Rose, 13. Only three failed to qualify for a prize according to the rules of the club. At the conclusion of the Huntaway, the competition in Class II was at once got under way, and it was hoped that this event of 53 ertries would be got througli the following day.

Mr R. Cowan first occupied the judge's attention ■with Rogue, who did not seem in the least inclined to deny his title, as he appeared more in the humour i,o indulge in a good gambol than to take things steadily on such a cold, cheerless afternoon.

The next to lead forth his poodle was Master Bertie Anderson, a youth of less than 16, and who performed so meritoriously in tly? Youths' Class last year, when it was predicted that he and his young dog Bob would again be heard of. On this occasion master and dog displayed such ability that it was merely the meeling of such extra good .talent as was included among the contestants that robbed him of a high place of honour. Notwithstanding this, had he succeeded in yarding his charge instead of having the misfortune to missing the post by the narrowest of misses, his performance would have been hard to beat.

The next exhibition of merit was that of jlr TV. Melville's Burkes Pass winner of " Long Pull," Bess, wlib put in some very nice quiel work, and succeeded in yarding her sheep.

Several other good performances were put up, but No. 20, Mr J. Ballantyne's Gyle, was the next to command most attention, and no dcubt his work was of first-rate quality throughout — perhaps a little slow at yards, but yarded his charge in grand style.

Mr H. T. Little, with Gather, who possesses "W'aikari and Hanmer credentials, shortly afterwards followed, but failed to make the head looked for in so well-trained a dog, and this, as it ultimately proved, cost her a higher position ; was under good command ; failed somewhat in making the best of pulls ; yarded splendidly, with grand style.

Mr H. Anderson's Moss did some nice work, but spoilt his chance by crossing at yarding ; lacked steadines3 at hand.

Mr N. Ballantyne soon after took his trusty old favourite Truro into the field of action, and though the dog made the grave error of crossing in heading and again at yards, he put in such fine work that he was looked upon to finish at least among the successful candidates for a prize.

Mr It. Trotter, one of the Central Otago representatives, put in a very oreditable performance with Storm ; and so did Messrs John Thompson and A. Bain with Rose (last year's second) and Dick respectively. Mr J. Fiddes was the only other starter ere darkness set in.