MACKENZIE COLLIE CLUB.

Otago Witness, Issue 2455, 3 April 1901, Page 47

MACKENZIE COLLIE CLUB.

The eleventh annual trials of this clu\ were held on 26th and 27th ult.. at Burkes Pass. The gathering on this occasion, contrary to the last year or two, was graced with superb weather throughout, and the various contests were run off with that smoothness general at this club's trials. The club on this occasion had offered an even more attractive programme than on foimer occasions, in that it had introduced a novelty in having what was intended to serve as an encouragement to owners of that class of dog mostly employed with wild mormo sheep and on high country. Nevei thele3s, the desired response v. as not forthcoming; but, on the other hand, quality was by no means absent, nor were visitois. North Otago. Central Otago, and Methvon north being represented, and os it proved very worthily. AH the necessary prior arrangements had been carried rut satisfactorily, a capital field for tho operations having been generously granted, sheep purchased by the club, and though the gentleman at first appointed wrote late expressing his regret at not being able to fulfil his engagement for the club as judge, local talent was forthcoming at the eleventh hour to bridge the want. So really, all that splendid weather left to br> desired was big entries to make this popular gathering the great success of recent years, but the total entries only aggregated S2. Nevertheless J>!l the local kennels o£ note were included in the number, except Me=sr3 J. Robertson's and D. Muuro's, who^e absence was felt and regretted, and Mr James Robinson wt»s also missed, but his usual voluntary post of liberating sheep was very capably filled by Messrs John Bain and D. Cuthbertson. The sheep, though not as strong as I'orhaps could have been desired, answered fairly well, especially on the second day. Clrss I was first negotiated, the important posts of judges being occupied by Messrs M. M'Leod and George M'Deuald, who unfortunately were not set a very trying task in making the final awards, but few of the contesting dogs qualifying for a prize at all, and on'y two of those really did anything of note. In the huntaway class only six dogs put in noteworthy work. Mr R. FVaser opened >ihe running with Fame, a former winner, both at trial« and shows (smoothhaired) ; was fortunate in getting three freemrving sheep, went quietly up to her sheep with little or no noise, hunted well away between first and second flags, a bit careless, did not stand well up to her sheep; under good command, lost time in flying off her sheep, travrrscd about t'iree-fourths oc course. A. Smith* Royal, winner of t!>'< event last year, followed on throe lather stubborn sheep. Started i:\ther s'aek. but handled his sheep c.-uefully till through the first f.no;., more uoiso up to second flrg-, but c ' ; not stand well up to «aepp : under good command, l:ttlc or no noise abo\e bccou-1 flags, accoir_/!i:hod uthci mcie of joiiiiiy ta n predf ce--"' . Ml .f. Bui l.ett's (Bucli Hill station Fan in/, tne m fim-ii*- to get thiee e\en mcie s-cubbor.i &h o ep, which she went up to with noi.~e and command ieqm>ite, but her lof pioxtd mattei* of the situation or oo much io as to beat Fan against time. Mr Geoiqc Kuffcs-'s Scott went well up to In-, i-hr^n. n .ocr good command, ji'enty ol r..!i- vn'rutaiy, and <thfrwi s a foued well. Fp;i --.vie : complc lM (our ; e veH w itlun f nro. Mr R. Coy an v ith Don put up i f^!i peif'jrmamo D( n ;.kt!p plenty of noise, but did not kt °p d(.-e u> hi^> '-heep ; headed before con-ing to pi vi d ?.<>?-, and left CM>r c P. Mi R. Tmltfr. Man. itoto"< lepiotr-ntj tno. «a< t! (j( j hx-t on (aid w ,t'i Gl^n, wl.o Lfii ;iimc\ei' Ui ■- e-e.i* tmmerly when in - dei Mr Gcoig2 E\dns's command Wei.t well up to hi-- shivp, p'enty of noise, hunt away well, had to pull as =heep went round first flag=, under good coi.imand, completed tu-jk with a few '.fronds to !-pare At the conclu- on of thi>- coui-e the judge? ga\ c tl'eir avaul?" — Mi- Gco. Kuffoe\ fecott, 26 point.-, £3 1 M>- R. Tiotter's (lien, 25, £4- 2 M.- R. Fu-or's Fame, 19, £2 3 Mr A. PmitYb Royal, 18. £1 a, Mr "R. Cowan\ Don. 17, special 5 M Jap. Burnett's Fan, 14- points 0 Class II (Yarding) was tl'pn p.oceeded ' with, and tho general standard ot work was a> disappointing a- in formei clas3, the si'ocp no doubt accounting for un«t of trouble. ! The follow mo are the peiforrnancp- of the ! best half-dozen dogs. Mr .1. Burnett led oft with Fan. under the luclgment of Mr M'Leod again accompanied by Mr D. Stewart, of Albun, m whose favour Mr M'Douild letued, boing a (omuftitor m ela*- undt i ie«.?w Fan i headed* in fair stv'o, Kt* iathei -low. pulled ! gently, well undc command, <;enth and | oni'lua'ly got sheep wi rl nn ;> fey. feet of the } ,ir,!< w hi n lii •<• v..,i i i!l'"'l Mr A. C. S. SmiY- Rev a! 'n.'W m fa r time. lKii-y pulling woi-cd well fit \;.i'(K and under l;ooc! c"nmiand :u v keyr wc'l at i yard. i Mi W. Wi'n'ut'- crv.-i-tei t iut' wj, ''"'-C Coibio headed s.mnH, pul.cn _;< luh . a'u' woikoil well at v.,iu. but i.i.--e<!. Mi R. F'm-i'i'j Lilhei, i an-.fJ ...ftPi II 11I 1 ■. bieeJ.cr and owi.pr of. the fai o-1o -1 - \' cA.v, imported v.olLs Captain, proved equal W

itlie task in all but actually yarding the sheep. Made a quick head, pulled very jwell and worked smoothly at the yards, unifier grand command, and had sheep well in Jnand when time was called. Mr George M 'Donald's old dog Cass, proved that he had lost little, if any, of (bis speed or cunning since hi£ successful running here four years ago, for he made a Wick head, pulled well and worked firmly, £nd had sheep well in hand at call time. f' Mr R. Trotter again proved a lucky last competitor with Storm, wh6 won this event 3aat year. Storm made a good round out and head and pulled gently, worked well lunder command, kept his etyeep well together, »nd yaxded in about a minute under the allotted time. i T The judges placed as follows : — Mr Trotter's Storm. 25 prints, £8 1 Mr R. Fraser'g Lillico, 22 points, £4 ... 2 "Mr Burnett's Fan, 20 pdinta, £2 ... ,}. 3 Mr Wright's Corbie, 19 points, £1 X * !Wr. Smith's TtoyaL 18 points, special ... 5 'Mr M'Donald'e Oass, l(> points, epeeial, 6, with Messrs A. Smith's T&over (15), T. Dickfcon's Tay (14). and J. Ballaty's Corbie (13) cloße up, which concluded the first days ..■work. In the evening, the annual &all under iha auspices of the olnp was held, and passed off successfully, thougji the attendance has generally been largea The tea and rev sreshment part of the programme was in *fae capable hands of Mrs Kulfee. 1 ' Class HI, which" practically meant the two long l puli*, the club Saving two sets of rules and points to "assist the separate judges in adjudicating on the merits of those qualities requisite in dogs for general high-country work, as well as those for the usual finer class of worker. Messrs M'Leod and Steward had charge of division A (the finer work), while Messrs J. McGregor and S. Ross obliged the club simultaneously in division B. The day being all that could be desired, and the sheep appearing to be stronger, a more satisfac,*ory day's work was done. Tiie bes,t performances were registered by . Mr R. Ballantyne's Moss, a winner of many years' standing, but now showing' the effect of wear aud tear and age. Mess was rather Blow heading, pulled gently as far as he got back, had sheep all in hand on a good line mt call of time — 10 minutes. Mr Wright's Corbie ran cut steadily, headed in good style, pulled well, and landed in Ifing in good time, and held them there well. • Mr- A. Bain's Dick made a quick head in fine style, and hold his sheep well together, but only held a short time in ring. Mr M'lntosh'fi Sharp, worked by Mr R. Cowan, made an excellent head in quick time, and pulled them Eplendidly to foot of face, when one falling, all chance of [further .scoring was lost. Sharp's course as tfar as it went was Eecoad to none ever run At the Pass, and his mishap was truly a piece of hard luck. '. \ Mr Fraier's LiHieo made a quick head m good style, {*. bit faulty in pulling, under jgocd command, put in pretty work at ring, and completed task under eight, minute 3. ! Mr J. H/. AndersonVdog Diok headed in good style and time, pulled somewhat lasbly, and failed to steady well in ring. >- Mr M'Kay's Speed made a slow head, " Staking an erratic course out, pulled fairly Jwefl, and held in ring to Eatisfaction of '■ Mt A. S. Smith's Rover, a young Heather {Pluck dog. raa out well, and headed out of Wght, pulled hurriedly, but had good eomanand over she^p, landed them quickly in ring, and held satisfactorily, though not ctadily. I' Mr M'Donald' s Cass made a strong head Sn quick time imd good style, rather inclined jto be rash, in pulling, not under the best of command, and ran wide at ring. - Mr A. Cimith's Royal. — Inclined to be slow going out, but made a fair head in good "time, pulled a somewhat erratic course and iburriedly. fair at ring, and completed task (■well "within time. • The rewards for the finer style of work went to Mr Fraser's Lillico, 28 points, £3 1 iMr Wright's Corbie. 23 poiuts, £4 2 (Mr Bslin's DleJa, 22 points, £2 .... 3 (Mr Smith's Rover, 21 points, special ... 4 Mr Soiith's Royal, 20£ points, special 5 JMr J. M'Kay's Speed, 20 points, special 6 .with Messrs Ballantyne's Moss (19), J. M'lntosh's Sharp (19), J. H. Anderson's Dick (19), and T. M'Donald's Cass (18) close up, while many others ran into double figuref. The judges in the other divisions placed the following records: — Mr Frassr's Lillico, 30 points. £8 1 •£Mr M'Donald's Cass, 28 points, £4 ... 2 Mr A. Bain's Dick, 27 points, £2 . 3 34r A. Smith's Royal, 26 points, special 4 £Mr J. M'Kay's Speed, 25£ points, special 5 •witfr Messrs J. H. Anderson's Dick (25), A. (Smith's Rover (24), Wright's Corbie (22), J. ZBriant's Jet (21), and M'lntosh's Sharp following. There were six entries, for Youths' Class '(under 16 years), and the prize went to Masters A. Jones's Lass, £2, and C. Hayte's Moss, £1. Ti:e work done was not r-firet class, but really the task set the little enlarges was too hard, and should be rearranged ere another year. The principal prizes fell: — Champion gold medal. £2 2s, Mr A. Smith's Royal (62 points) ; do, silver medal, £1 Is, Mr Eraser's Xillico (52). Specail r — Bept bred coll'e scoring not less than half points — Mr Dickson's Tay. 1 ; MiBennett's Fan, 2. Special. — Beat barking dog in huntaway r>vent. under same conditions — Mr G. Raffer's Scott. \ Fpecial. — To dog completing long pull m quickest time — Mr Fraser's Lillico. Many other specials were also gi\en and well distributed. The club's members' annual dinner was partaken, of by about 40 gentlemen at the oonclu3ion of the day's work, and at night the ■usual reunion and smoke concert was held, ■when the prizes were given out, and with soepches and songs a capital eiening was epent.