N.Z. KENNEL CLUB.

Otago Witness, Issue 2664, 5 April 1905, Page 31

N.Z. KENNEL CLUB.

A special meeting of this club was held at "the rooms of the Chamber of Commerce, Wellington, on March 23, the business being the consideration of the notice of motion standing in Mr W. Janson's name — i.e.. "That the N.Z.K.C. be empowered to hold a championship show annually of sporting; and non-sporting dogs at a date to be fixed by the club" ; also, notice of motion by Mr Minogue— "Addition to Rule 21, Regulations for Shows ; after the word 'champion' in the last line, 'providing one of such challenge prizes or' certificates has been won at a show held by the Kennel Club.' " Dr Faulke (president) was in the chair, and the following delegates were present: — Messrs D. Wright and J. Philpott (Egmont), A. Robertson (Wairarapa), E. Hutchen and Bernasconi (Wellington X.C), W. Janson and M. Grenside (Wang-anui), W. Barton and G. Webster (Dunedin Fanciers'), J. Davis (Masterton), W. Lambert and S. E. Harrop (Hawke's Bay X.C), J. FitzgeraJd (Auckland). R. E. Bannister and L. W. Andrews (Hawke's Bay A. and P.), T. J. Leighton and Major Dunk (Manawatu X.C), C. R- Bsattie and J. C Lane (Manawatu and East Coast A. and P.). At the outset it was resolved that a scrutiny of tho delegates present to taken to ascertain their bona fides. Several delegates took exception to Mr Lamber'i's attendance, owing to his having been absent from three consecutive meetings. The President ruled that he considreed Mr Lafiibert's excuse (that of sickness in his family) was satisfactory. All new delegates were declared elected by the President; he having perused their papers and correspondence from the clubs appointing them. The minute authorising the special meeting was then read, and, The President called upon Mr Janson to move his motion, which he did, and in doing so, explained that it was in the interests of the fancy. His object in moving the motion was to enable them to give better prize money, and to do away with the sweepstake principle. He thought that the impression which prevailed regarding the fees from affiliated societies belonging to those societies was erroneous.

Mr Philpott seconded the motion. He pointed out that last year there were 14 affiliated societies ; since then three had applied for affiliation. Many of these were only holding- licensed shows, and the N.Z.K.C. received only one guinea from them. He instanced the very largo amounts of money given by other kennel clubs in various parts of the world.- Under the present constitution of the N.Z.K.C, we were unable to do that in the interest of the fancy, which, in his opinion, we should be able to do. Mr Philpott was pleased to see the large attendance of delegates, and trusted they would continue to take a keen interest in tho affairs of the club.

Mr Bannister complimented Mr Philpott upon his remarks concerning the new delegates, and said he thought that it would be found that at any time the gun'was vented to be loaded and justice done to uphold the prestige of the club, epoitsmen would be found thpve. He spoke strongly upon the unwarranted suggestion to take the money belonging to the affiliated societies to bolster up any particular show. He stated that he had not heard that the Wellington K.C. was not going to hold a «how this year. Should the N.Z.K.C. d^cido to hold a championship show, ho wa* suic it would result in the clubn now affiliated becoming clisaffiliated. Why not have a clause embodied in the rules giving- the loading- centres the option of holding championship shows? He thought it would have been better had the mover of the motion dono this. Mr Bannister then proposed an amendment — "That the delegates at this meeting voi-e against the motion.''

Mr Andrews ijuotcd Rule 14 to show that the- affiliated societies had a ckim V

upon the funds, and questioned the statement of the mover and seconder to thecontrary. Major Dunk: What amount of funds stands to the oredit of the N.Z.K.C? The Treasurer: Boughly, £26 in cash. Mr Webster thought that they were a governing body, consequently if they put themselves on a par with affiliated societies they ceased to be a governing body. Mr Grenside said one gi'eat objection to the holding of a championship show was ■that it was not intended to hold it at tho various centres. He would oppose the motion, as he considered the affiliated societies were the owners of tho funds in hand, the N.Z.K.C. simply holding them in trust. . .

Mr Lambert said the point that appealed to him was that if the N.Z.K.C. held a championship show it would detract from the interests of affiliated societies' shows.

Major Dunk thought that those gentlemen who were so anxious to hold a championship show seemed to be unaware ■(hat they were cutting the ground from the feet of the Wellington K.C. Ho thought that a championship show would hurt the country shows. Mr Bei-nasconi stated, emphatically, that tho Wellington K.C. did not intend to hold a show.

Mr Bannister: The Wellington K.C. will hold a show, even if it costs me £50.

Mr Lane emphasised the fact that affiliated societies regulated their shows according to the N.Z.K.C. rules, and he thought it was an honourable duty for the N.Z.K.C. to see that the fees, which were really the trust fund of the affiliated societies, were properly spent. He thought that if a championship "show were held, it would require to be done on a comprehensive, scale ; the amount required would be beyond the means of the N.Z.K.C, and he thought affiliated societies would be chary of taking on such a venture. Ho instanced the shows of the North Island Poultry Association, which granted championships to affiliated bodies, and he thought the N.Z.K.C. would gain strength if it acted similarly. He was sure that if it was looked into, it would be found that the conditions prevailing in other parts of the world would be found very different to local conditions. He instanced the spectacle of the N.Z.K.C. rating- itself for not conducting- its own show on proper lines.

Mi- Fitzgerald pointed out that it was not on the score of mjadesty that many of the delegates did not voice their opinions — the matter had been thrashed out before.

Thp President thought the delegates had assembled for the specific purpose of discussing the notice of motion, and ke would rule the amendment out of order. A direct vote vould be taken upon the motion. Mi' Berna^coni drew attention to the rule regarding- voting at a special meeting — i.e., amliajlcd societies to have an equal number of \-otes. It was l'esolved that each society should ho entitled to cast, two votes. On a show of hands being taken the voting resulted : For the motion, 9 ; against, 14. Mr Janson, as mover of the motion, stated that he would bow to the inevitable, and he hoped that all would roll uo and help the Wellington E.C. to bold a show.

Tho voting on the motion was as under : — For. Messrs Janson, Davis (two votes), Philpott, Bernasconi, Bobertson (two votes), Hutc-hcn. and the president. Against — Messrs Bannister, Andrews. Lane, Dunk, Beattie. Leighton. Fitzgerald (two votes), Grenside, Wright, Harrop, Webster, Lambert, and Barton.

A vote of thanks to the chair concluded the meeting.