THE KENNEL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2671, 24 May 1905, Page 31

THE KENNEL.

Bt Terkok.

[leader* »n.l breeders of docs are cordially invited to contribute items to tliii column. " Terror " will endearour to niafce his department a> interesting and up-to date at possible, but in order to do this be must have tbe co-oneration of Ms readers hence he trusts thi* inritation irill be cheerfully responded to ]

— Mr Clifford Bramah has been appointed judge of collies and sporting dogs at the Wellington Kennel Club's show. The Wellington Club is to be congratulated upon its selection, in view of past troubles with judges for the specialist Collie and Foxterrier clubs, and their action will be hailed with delight by all members of those clubs.

— Numerous inquiries having reached me concerning the dates of kennel shows throughout the colony, I shall be glad if secretaries will give me facilities for publishing a list. Perhaps Mr Dovey, the secretary of the New Zealand Kennel Club, can supply me with a list of club fixtures and dates.

— Manchester show, held on March 28, 30, brought out 2508 entries, and the allround quality was excellent. In collies, a new face in Squire of Tytton came out, and took down all the cracks. He was purchased by Mr Mason for £800, and has been renamed Southport Squire. Deerhounds also furnished a surprise in Dhowran, a grand youngster, who won all h/j went for, and the championship. Three sensational puppies appeared in the English setter classes, and beat their sire, Malboyd Sailor, and other noted dogs. Pointers were a grand lot, .and 16 dogs entered the ring in the limit class. President, a liver-spotted Dalmatian, won the championship and several specials ; he is the best of the breed I ever saw, but I like the black spotted ones best. — Bulldog lovers assembled in great force at Manchester to witness the debut of Royal Stone. This dog was purchased recently for the highest price recorded for an unshown bulldog. However, he went down in all hi* classes, except in novices, where he headed a very hot lot of 24. — The Battersea Dogs' Home and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, in which every lover of animals must take a keen interest, have had a glorious windfall, which no doubt will enable them to extend their sphere of usefulness to our patient dumb friends. Mrs Emma Roberts, of Warrior square, St. Leonards, who died recently, left the bulk of her money (about £6000), so says the Stockkeeper, to be equally divided between the Doge' Home and the society. — An English tourist in the Highlands took a great fancy to a splendid collie dog belonging to a farmer, and gave the farmer £50 for It. "No* Donald," he said, when

the bargain was completed, "wouldn't it pay you far better to raise dog= than to raise sheep?" "I dinna ken aboot that," was the cautious reply. "Ye sec, I can get fowk tc buy my sheep at ony market, but it's no every day I can get a fule to gie me £50 f or a doug."

— Mr W. L. Rae, writing from England, cays: — "Clumber spaniels continue to boom, and some large classes are seen, even at the small shows. Efforts are being made to stamp out the light-eyed specimens, and aleo to discourage the exhibition of dogs showing the 'haw' of the eye. Some sportsmen contend that the latter collects grass seedh dust, etc., and thus causes inflammation. Mr James Farrow, one of our oldest fanciers, and a thorough sportsman, ha.= contributed an excellent article on the breed to the Illustrated Kennel News. Dealing with this point, he says the ' haw ' is really Nature's eye clearer, and as such is much more powerful than the eye-lids. I have studied Clumbor spaniels now for over 25 years, and the only dog of tho old type I have seen since I returned to England, seven years ago, is Mr F. Winton-Smith's champion Beechgrove Donall.v. There are many handsome dogs on the benches here, but those who remember Rock, John O'Gaunt, Boss, Fowcr, and other pillars of the Stud Book as well as I can, agree with my statement that the old type i* practically extinct." — The Manawatu Kennel Club, Palmerston North, have addressed the following circular letter to the secretaries of all kennel clubs affiliated with the New Zealand Kennel Club: —

Dear Sir, — By direction of my committee 1 am forwarding you a copy of notices of motion which have been handed in to the secretary of the N.Z. Kennel Club for the next meeting of that club, which takes place in Wellington in the first week in June. The matter is of such extreme importance to a.l the affiliated clubs that I hope you will speedily place it before your committee. In forwarding the same I have to offer the following remarks: — (a) In accordance with the N.Z. Kenne' Club's show rules Nos. 21 to 23 the practice has been observed in years gone by of allotting to such clubs as may apply, challenge classes for the different breeds ; and various clubs distributed over the island have held challenge classes for the same breeds in the s&me year: ar,d so far as can be observed tha has bs-en proved to bs advantageous to the colony' by furthering tbe interest" - the fancy. (b) The N.Z. Kennel Club at its last meeting, held on May i. resolved ..that only one challenge class for the same breed of dog can be competed for in the one year in the North "island. This means that it will take an exhibitor three yea'-s to obtain 'the title of champion. The queston arises whether this is not ultr~ vires, being equivalent to an alteration of the rules already quoted. (c) In the event of your club disapproving or otherwise of the proposal, it is desirable that effective steps be taken to eusure representation at the next meeting of the N.Z. Kennel Club, and instruction to delegates how to vote. The information supplied on the attach< copy of notices of motion fully explains our action, and is done with the desire to generally conserve and fostei the interests of the fancy wherever they may be located in the North Island, irrespective of any selfish motives. Seeking your prompt co-operation, — Yours truly, J. C. T^anb, Secretary. — Notice of motion from the Manawatu Kennel Club, to be considered at the June meeting of the New Zealand Kennel Club : (a) That the resolution of the N.Z. Kennel Club, passed on May *, allotting thfc following challenge classes to the Wellington Kennel Clvb — viz., rough-coated collies, Irish terriers, smooth^ and wire fox terriers, and cocker spaniels, be rescinded. fb) That the resolution of the N.Z. Kennel Club, passed on May I, (a) deciding that only one challenge class for the same breed of dog can be competed for in the one j'ear in the North Island; (b) setting up a sub-committee to allot challenge classes, be rescinded. (c) That at the June meeting of the New Zealand Kenel Club the question of all champion and challenge classes be considered and allotted. (d) That the following challenge classes be allotted to the Manawatu Kennel Club — viz., English setters, rough-coated collies, fox terriers (wire and smooth), and TOKdogs. A FEW NOTES ON DOG LAW. (By H. Morse Hewitt, in the Dog Owners' Annual.) The principal is liable for the act of his agent. A secretary of a show committee is not liable personally for show debts, so long as he aots only as secretary and dsi closes his principals — namely, the show committee. If, however, the secretary is also a member of the committee he is liable as a committeeman with the rei't of the committee. A secretary or other agent if he does not disclose his principals is personally liable for all orders he gives. A secretary must keep within the scope of his authority as such secretary to avoid personal liability. A body of persons who form themselves into a committee to promote a show are primarily liable to the exhibitors for their prize money, also to other persons with whom they incur liability in connection with tli« holding of a show. A show committee may, however, have a remedy over against other persons for reimbursement, as in the case where it acts simply as the mouthpiece o<r agent of a body of persons promoting a show. Each and all the members of a committee concurring 1 in entering into a liability are legally liable. No one should ioJn a oommittee unless satisfied that his fellow-committeemen are substantial persons. This applies especially iv the case of show committees where prize money and special prizes are offered, and of course applies to other committees in more or less degree. An entry for a chow can be refused in the absence of payment, but if the entry be accepted without cash such entry is binding. A secretary of a club cannot after accepting an entry without payment afterwards expunge it, as by his action he is considered to nave elected to take the entry on credit. Show committees have an interest in th& exhibits during a show, and have a right to the possession of the dogs, subject to the show regulations, and if a third party should put dn an execution on a dog the same is subject to the chow committee's rights. All contracts foy the sale of doga for £10 Cx 'over mast be in writiajr, .and' signed by

the person who claims the dog or by his authorised agent ; but • this would not be necessary where the dog is handed over at the time, or a deposit is paid oi something else is given in earnest of the ba-gain. In the case of a claim being made for nrxDney or damages, liability for which, or the whole of which, is admitted, a tender of the amount admitted will oft-times avoid an Action at law, or be otherwise useful, but it must be a legal tender. A tender to be legal must be of the exact amount admitted, and in particular form — i.e., a tender should be made in bank .notes or note and cash if the amount admitted! exceeds- £5; it may be in gold coin 'or any amount, in silver for a sum not exceeding 40s, and in bronze coin for an amount not exceeding Is. Cheques received by secretaries or others should be banked at once, otherwise in the event of failure of the bank the holder of the cheque may lose the amount, and have Tio remedy against the drawer. Show committees are liable foi only gross aots of negligence or misconduct, for instance, omission to feed dogs resulting in their dying, or for taking a dog off its benoh, and turning it loose into the streetReliance should not be placed upon thei saying that every dog is entitled to one bite. If the dog, to its owner's knowledge, is vicious and liable to bite, and gets hia_ 'irst bite-, bis owner is liable for damages. Dog sbow committees are not liable for* the bite of a dog whose propensity is unknown to them, but they are if tbey do' know, or 7T they be warned and take no precautions. Committees should, therefore, be particular to ascertain from tfte kee>pera of dogs whether such dogs are vicious, and • if so to have such dogs at once caged in. If a dog- bites anyone after the committee or any of its servants actually know oi such dog being dangerous, the committee will be liable. It is desirable that a proper notice should be put v.>p at dog shows warning the publio not to touch, and not to go within reach of any dog, and that all chains be secured so that t 1 c dog cannot reach over hs bench. Further, all reasonable precautions should! be taken to protect the public. Secretaries and committees should bear in mind that so-called "black list«" are private^ and for their personal information, and should not be made public, and non-observ-ance of this might result in a libel action u ein.g brought against them. W'hero a committee of a show may not be aYe to obtain a special prize, which has Ueen won afc a show, ifc has two courses opex — namely, either to take action against (•he donor, or compensate the winner out of its own funds. If the former course be taken the committee should join the prizeivinner as co-plaintiff , first obtaining his conspnt, which would generaJlv be accorded, fc'ie oommittee indemnifying him against any legal expenses. If tliere be a loss on the show, the show eommtittee may look to its principals, whether private individuals or a club, to reimburse it.