SHEEP DOG TRIALS AT KURIWAO.

Otago Witness, Issue 2983, 17 May 1911, Page 35

SHEEP DOG TRIALS AT KURIWAO.

A most successful trial of sheep doga ,waa held on Mr F. Hood's farm last Wednesday amongst the farmers, purely for tha sport of tho thing. The weather was simply perfect, and the ladies who turned out a-nd regaled the gathering with a fine course of refreshments added doubly to the pleasure of tho day's outing. The work done by tho various dogs was looked upon as good, considering the position of the place chosen for the trial, the dogs being out of Eight for a time when ".pulling" to tho yard. No prizes were given, but, had there been, some of tho dogs would have earned for their master a good day's wage. The sheep —three at a time —were taken out to tho starting point in a cage, on a sledge, and let go on the given signal. Every dog found hie sheep and drove them in good utyle to the yard, formed by four hurdles erected inside a ring, within the bounds of which the man, of course, had to keep, except when his dog was heading from tho longer distance, but had to return to tha ring as the sheep drew nearer. The short " pull " was about 400 yards, time allowed, 10 minutes; long pull, about 800 yards; time, 12 minutes. J. Muir's Flirt was tho only dog that yarded, and drew from tho onlookers a round of applause. She displayed good work when yarding from tho long pull, cautiously working one of the sheep which seemed undecided whether it would make for the gully or join its two mates. Most of the dogs, though doing all-round good, useful work, and under good command, kept too far out at the yard, thus spoiling their often good chance to yard. I "aspect to hear of a club being formed in Kuriwao, judging from the interest taken, and the result of the first attempt made in the district. The judging was entrusted to Mr R. N. Orr and two visitorsMessrs J. U. Wallace and H. Roseveare, from Waiwera. Mr E. R. Sim proposed a vote of thanks to the dog : owners for coming out for the day, Mr J. M. Youngson to Mr F. Hood for the use of his sheep and paddocks, and Mr H. Roseveare to tha ladies, thus ending a well-spent day for tho farmer, with results as under: Head, pull, and yard, 400yds, lOmin—F. Hood's Loy 1, J. Muir's Flirt 2, D. Williamson's Sharp 3, E. K. Sim's Rover 4. Also ran: D. Williamson's Bob. E. K. Sim's Bowser, J. Williamson's Glen, and F. Brown's Sharp. Head', pull, and yard, 800yds, 12min—J. Muir's Flirt and E. K. Sim's Rover, tic, 1, D. Williamson's Bob 3, F. Hood's Loy 4. . Also competed: F A. Wagner's Dad and J. Williamson's Glen.