NOTES BY TERROR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2369, 27 July 1899, Page 39

NOTES BY TERROR.

—Mr O. R. Wise is energetically trying to revive coursing in the Oamaru district, having secured a- plump ton 800 yds by 400 yds. They intend having a stake next season guaranteeing £50 to the winner. The i hares will be near their native ground, and will naturally be stronger than having to be acclimatised in a strange place. There will be plenty of accommodation for dogs, and, as Mr Wise points out, it is a reasonable place for men to stop at. There are many good dogs in this district, and they ought to be able to add considerably to the Oamaru nominations. — Speaking of Mr L. D. Borsdorff' s recent visit to England, the Australasian says: — " What struck Mr Borsdorff's attention was Hie fact that many winning dogs in England were light in. the eye, and had but scanty coats. The stud dogs, Finsbury Pilot and Balgreggie*Hopo, however, appeared tc get stock with coats of great density, and this faculty of the sires named decided Mr Borsdorff in procuring services of these animals. At tbe Paris show, which Mr Borsdorff attended, he was pleased to see among the- prizetakers the dog Faitz, by his old favourite, Palmbearer. In Germany Mr Borsdorff found that the collie was an especial favourite, the collie Club of Germany being quite enthusiastic about the dog. The members of the club are, he states, energetic, and give a great deal of attention to the importation and breeding of high-class stock. This club, Mr Borsdorn became a member of, as well as being elected an | associate of the English" Kennel Club. Mr Bo'rsdorff speaks in high terms of the manner in winch he was received by fanciers. lie had opportunities of meeting Messrs Krehl and W. W. Thomson, who, Mr Borsdorff thinks, will most likely visit Australia next summer, as he has been advised by his doctor to take the trip." — A pathetic instance of canine fidelity was witnessed recently in Dublin, when an Irish terrier followed the remainr of its deceased master — a man in humble circumstances, named Walsh — to Glasnevin Cemetery. The poor animal kept close in the wake of the hearse all along the route, and no amount of persuasion, cotdd induce it to take up a more comfortable position till it arrived at the cemetery gate, through the portals of which it was denied admittance. However, nothing daunted, Fido waited patiently outside till it espied its mistress emerge from the place of burial, when it allowed itself to be taken home in the mourning coach. — By way of warning to the organising committee of this week's show, I quote the following from Our Dogs: — "The two successful actions against Cruft's Show for damages for dog bites inflicted upon two visitors to the late Agricultural Hall Show, have, as we predicted they would, quickly borne fruit in another pending lawsuit in connection with a dog bite at the moi-e recent Durham Show. The offending canine in the latter case war a first prize winner, but it is alleged that the person bitten poked the dog with a stick, as visitors sometimes do, in which cases the suiloiy should, in our opinion, be disentitled to any redress. If Judge Edge's decisions aie to remain, we shall no doiibt see many more actions of the kind. Indeed, there are people knavish enough tc court p dog bit© in order to found an action foi damages ; but apart from this, encouraged by_ the Clerkenwell County Court verdict, peonTe will be induced

to convaaence actions against dog show societies and exhibitors on. the slightest pretext. There can be no question that, sooner or later, dog show societies will be> driven to some sort of combination in their own interests, and in order to protect themselves from this new responsibility, if Judge Edge's interpretation of the law proves to be a correct one, of which his nonor was perfectly satisfied, but still would, as he expressed himself at the trial, like to see reviewed by a highei tribunal. Iv the event of the judge's view of the law of liability being sound, it seems to us, as we suggested at the time, that dogs will all have to be wired in on their benches by high wire netting running along the front of the benches. Another suggestion is that tickets of admibsion to dog shows should be issued, on which shall be set forth, as well as by a notice at the entrance to the show, that societies will take every reasonable precaution to protect the public from dog bites, but that they take no responsibility foi such mishaps. If show societies are really liable, however, it is doubtful whether such a plan would avail them anything. It would.be a sort of "contracting out " clause, but by one party to the transaction only, which we fear would invalidate the proceeding. The question is, however, a most important one, and one that should generally engage the serious attention of the dog show societies generally and the Kennel Clvb — who are concerned on their own account as dog show promoters on the one hand, and as guardians of the kennel interest on the other — in particular. ♦