THE KENNEL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2527, 20 August 1902, Page 49

THE KENNEL.

Bt Terror

irnncl^r* 3D 1 I>rrpjtfr3 of <lons *re <*or<iia!iT invi'cl to contribute uemi lo ihi^i alLmn. "Terror will eadeavuur to make H* 4epartiu?ut js lutere&Liut and up-to date ai* passible, bu: ia hence he uuaLj. ilm. ui\ Hitiou will be cbeerfuil^ cL-ipoaded t«.)

— Dunoclin is not so well off in the rruittt-r of kennel men but tlrat 'he advent of a new man may be cßionicled with jubilation. I am glad indeed to quote the New ZifaJand Field as follows: — Before our next i>sue we shall have lost from amongst us one of the most ontbusiastie collie fanciprs it has baen oui good fortune to have met for some time. On the departure of ilr James Rennie for Dunedin the New Zealand Collie Club lose 3 ono of the most able tieasurers that any club could have, and also one o/ the most energetic members of fiojnjsikUs. la this loss th« Zc^laad

ColKe Club is not alone, for on tbe committee of the Wellington Kennel Club Mr Rennie has proved himself an able, willing, and ever-ready worker. But it is the New Zealand Kennel Club which will be the greatest loser by Mr Rennie's departure for the south, for as a member of the various subcommittees his services were invaluable to that body. As a member of the Vigilance Committee no time devoted to examining the various catalogues was begrudged, and as a member of the Rules Revision Comir.itt«e his intelligent rending of the various clauses will be evident to all when the new rules come into circulation. As the librarian of the N.Z.K.C. Mr Rennie gavo ungrudging and unremitting at-tMiticia to the vn riots publications taken by that body — binding, filing, and distributing them con amore. In this case it can truly be sakl, "Wellington's loss is Dunediii's gain." Nevertheless, however much and however heartily fancier* nay wish Mr Rennie bon voyage and good It'ck in his new sphere, w« shall one and all miss him a.nd regret his departure, although we feel sure that Mr Rexinie will meet a warm welcome from all the collie fanciers of th? south, who- will find him a willing and able coadjutor in all things pertaining to the welfare of the breed. — The Chriatehurch Kennel Club's show last week, which, by the way, was judged by a Dunedin man— viz., Mr T. Hides — appears to have resulted, as usual, fn some laurels for Dunedin fanciers. I notice that Mv J. R. Hayne Rot first and champion in open collies with Heather Floss and second with Heather Jess; first and second with the same-, limit class \ the saxne in- colonialbred bitches and the novice class. In puppies Heather Jess took first. In foxterriers, class 71— puppies, dogs and bitches, — special ard first went to Mr S. H. Clraves's Grafton Ruffler. by Grit ex Billy Taylor (breeder. Mr George Roberts, of Dunediu) ; and Tartar, another dog- by the same breeder, got first in open class. Mr J. R. Hayue get first with Silvie, a Skyc terrier.

—Mr Hugo Ainsoough, whose name is well known in all collie circles as one of tho foremost breeders of roilies in the world, ha 3 been suspended by the Kennel Club of Great Britain under circumstances explained in the following letter addressed to Our Dog 3by Mr Ainscough : — Sir,— l shall fe*l obliged if you will find space- hi your columns for this letter, as I fnel it my duty to let the. public know why 1 have been suspended by the Kennel Club. The tiue facts of the case are as follows: — About a, month after the late Manchester show I received a letter from the secretary f\lr Beauolerk) demanding from, mo- 70s commission, and saying that it was common talk that my dog, Parbold Philosopher, was sold in the show for £35. lat caoe wrote back, saying the dog named was sold before the show, and that the price- wa3 £15. I also wrote by the same post a letter to Mr Andrews (the purchaser of the dog), telling him to say the same thing, and I enclosed him a receipt for- £ls, dated March 23. In a few days I received another letter from Mr Beauclerk. again demanding the 70s commission, and at the same time telling mo that I had addressed the letter for Mr Andrews to himself. In reply to this I wrote that, under the circumstances, he cc.ild deduct commission on £15 (the actual 'pric« of the dog) oft' my prize money, although I told him that I did not think it wa«: "fair, as the dosr was promised to Mr Andrews before the show, and co was pract;rally sold before. In reply to this I was notified that the affair was reported to the K.C.

Then I wrote to the K.C., explaining the whole affair, ami I told them that Mr Andrews wa? over at Parbold three days before Manchester phow, when I promised to let him liave the dog in question, but that I would fix the price at Manchester show. In order to convince tiie K.C. Committee that the actual price of the dog was £15, I offered thorn £1000 if Mr BeauoJwk or anyone else could prove that tlie price of the dog wa= more or le»s than £15. I also asked the K.C. what right had Mr BeaucleTk to demand from ana 70s commission.

In due course I received notice from the X C. that the ease would come before the committee on Juno 3, auct that I was at liberty to attend the meeting, and that if I did so I could say nothing further. On June 5, on my return from Slirewptn ry, I receive*! the official verdict — viz., suspended from judging, showing, etc., for 12 months. I have been in the fancy for over 20 years, and during this period I cion't «ver remember tho K.C. Committee coming to such an unjust decision. During my long connection, with the fancy I have always enjoyed the good-feltowship of my brother fanciers, and I think I might cay I have had their confidence, and, thank God, there is not a single one that can stand up and say that I Lave over done anyone an injustice or taken the leaat adva-ntage to anyone in any shape or form — I am, etc.,

Hugo Aixstough.