THE METHVEN COLLIE CLUB.

Otago Witness, Issue 2667, 26 April 1905, Page 28

THE METHVEN COLLIE CL UB.

The annual competitions held tmdor the auspices of this club were run on the 18th and 19th inst., on the -usual feite, the vise of which, was kindls' granted by Mr Wright. The" fiist day was somewhat dull and cheerless, but the second was all that could be desired. There was consequently s\ good muster of spectators as well as of those immediately interested in the running of the trials, including a number of ladies. The performances of the majority of the dogs were unfortunately very far from being satisfactory ; in fact, they were very disappointing from a spectator's view. This letnavk applies to all, with" the exception of an occasional run — about one dog in every half dozen, perhaps^— though Class IV proved an exception, for in this — driving competition — the performance 5 ? wero from very good indeed to excellent. All the officials worked with a will, and the liberation of sheep was specially good. Mr W. -O. Rutherford's adjudications seemed to give every satisfaction. The club's members extended the usual true hand of welcome to outside visitors, who, though fewer than usual, consequtn'" on other trials clashing with the local one, were made welcome, and on. leaving were loud in praise of the hospilality thay had received. The club's annual ball, on the first evening of ihe {rials, was a. decided success, the attendance during the greater part of +he night equalling any yet accommodated in the View Hill Woolshed on any previous similai occasion. The club's thanks are dye to Mr and Mrs Wright for the use of the woolshed. Field operations wero started with Class I.— Heading and bringing back, about 500 yds. Time limit, 15min. Prizes— £7, £3, £1. Maxhnami points, 30. Mr W. Urquhart's Gyp, 26 points 1 Mr W. W. Wright's Darkie, 25 points .. 2 Mr M. Carney's Darkie, 23 points.. . * .. 3 M. N Nell's Toft', 21 points . . 4 JThero were only four competitors out of ou entry of 25 dogs, and as the points indicate, the working was but ordinary. The lastnani-ed two dogs secure tii& club's extra special prizes for district maiden dogs, of £3 and £2 respectively, for dogs that have not previously won a prize at a l-ecognised dog Only half the dogs in Class II (yarding) were run ere nightfall, leaving 11 to be run on the resumption of the trial en the s&co-rul mornmg. AHer a. very seveie frost, a beautiful day folio-wed. Class II. — Heading, pulling, and raiding, about 380 yds. lime, 15min. Prize?— £lo, i's, £1 os. Maximum points, 30. Mr W. Wiight's Darkie, 27 points 1 Mr J. M'Girr's Stump, 25 points . „. 2 Mr W. Urquhart's Gyp, 24 points . . . .3 Messrs Wright's- Maudie and 33. Grieves Boy followed closely, having also succeeded in completing their tasks. A veiy low percentage of th& competing dogs ran up to anything like expectations. Mi Smith's Don., from Biu-ke's Pass, where he secured the club's Champion Cup, failed hopelessly Oil this occasion, being clean off colour. This event was concluded by midday, when Class 111 was gone on with. Here greater disappointment still was in store, for not a. dog succeeded in qualifying foj a prize. Only nine dogs had answered the- club's invitation 'o eou?>jete for their somewhat small prizes — vis , £4, £2, and £1.

In Class IV — driving five sheep through two sets of hurdles, and yarding, time lOrnin, prizes £4, j£2. and £1, and Messrs O'Neill and Clay's JslO Challenge Cvp — gocd work was, as ? i\ile, -shown. Mr W. Wright opened the nvnning- with his- o!d champion Corbie, who put up a real fine peiformance. and one that was not excelled until Mr Urquhait's Gyp put up a truly meritorious run, leaving little to ba desired. Mr J. M. Gin's Stump also did vvell, and so did Mr W. Logan's Snap. In fact, in this placing the judge's award was thought by the majority of the interested spectators to be in error. Veiy keen interest was manifested in the going for the Cup, a len-guinea trophy given by Hie club to the dog scoring most points in Classes I. 11, and IV, to he won twice by the same dog in succeeding years. Mr W. Wiighl secured it last year, with Maidie, and the previous year with Corbie, and as the meeting progressed he was seen to he making a keen contest for the coveted trophy with Darkie against Mr Urquhart's consistent runner Gyp, ■who led the black by 1 point in Class I, fell back 2 points in Class 11, but in the final ruu, by making the best of a very quiet lot of sheep — three merinos and three- crosshreds, not five, as thi: programme provided, — rar> out an easy winner, her troublesome rival having fallen in for iho stiongest lot of sheep in the contest,

and just failed to yard, and had to be covio~Js with 10 points against Gyp's 30— the possib.e.