DOG TRIALS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3030, 10 April 1912, Page 35

DOG TRIALS.

The old established Mackenzie Collie Club earned through its twenty-second annual competition on 2nd end 3rd iris! when fine weather prevailed throughout! A fairly representative nomination and gathering of interested spectators obtained, and the important positions of judges wero very capably filled by Messrs \\. Mcnziosand K Cowan, who adjudicate,! on the- District Maiden and open events respectively, and the satisfactory class of work done made their duties by no means easy. The sheep, again a draft of the wellknown Clayton flock, kindly ],., 1t f or tno occasion by Mrs M'Millan, proved all that could bo desired, being with one or two exceptions a very even running lot. One very gratifying result of the meeting was the number of wins secured by young members of the club—in fact, several running for the first time. Though tho total entries numbered 87 they were short of former years, which was only to bo expected, so many detracting conditions prevailing. The club's ball proved epiito successful, providing enjoyment for quite a number. Class I was run first, and its 20 nominations occupied the officials until about 2 p.m., when the judge pave his awards allotting the 30 points as follows to secure I the respected prizes of £B, £4. £2, and £1: j Mr A. Curtis's Fipcek, 26 points ... 1 Mr S. Bryant's Dot, 250 points ... 2 Mr C. Cowan's Darkey, 22 points ... 3 Mr G. Keefl'ee's Tyne, 18 points ... 4 A mrmber of others were within a point or two. i The Open Huntaway had attracted 23 entries and quite a. number of them proved themselves to be particularly good and gave tho judge no mean task in placing them as follows, with a' limit of 30 points. Tho prizes in this class were a!-o £B, £4, £2. and £l: I Mr L. Seigert's Bob, 29 points ... 1 Mr R. Day's Guide. 28 points 2 Mr A. M'Gres?or'a Bob, 27J, points ... 3 Mr C. Cowan's Darkey, 27 points ... 4 Messrs E. Russell's Bolt (26 pointy A. Smith's Flight. (26 points). 11. G. Watcrs's Bob (25 points), F. Anniss's Chance (23 points), an 1 Geo. Koeffee's Nell (22 points) were in close attendance. Class 111, Open Long Pull and Yard. with i's 24 nominations, kept tho field I>n~v. and again Mr Cowan .had a pretty difficult task to separate the leading do£S. with a limit of 40 poims. The prizes in

this, ''the big event," •were £lO, £6, £3, and itt, and were won bv Mr R. Eraser (31 p<ints) 1, Mr E. Russel (30 points) 2, Mr II G Waters (29 points) 3, and Mr A. Curtis (23 points) 4. The following were close up: —A. Smith (27 points), T. H. Bennett (26 points), H. G. Waters and T. Hogg (22 points each to their credit). The guinea special for dog completing course in quickest time fell to A. S. Smith's Flight. CLASS IV, District Maiden Huntaway (same conditions as the Open), did not obtain so high a standard of work as in the major class, though the same dog won in good style. This dog also won Mr J. L. Baxter's special for quickest completion of course and return to ring. Maximum points. 30. Mr L. Seigert's Bob (25 points) Ist, F. Anniss's Chance (23£ p°i nt ' s )- C. Cowau'.s Darkey (22£ points), C. Hoyters Joo (22 points), A. Curtis' s Hope (21£ points), T. Hogg's Noel (21 points) put up satisfactory runs of the 20 contestants. The team prizes, for team (three) of bona fide, mustering or shepherding dogs, were appropriated bv Messrs A. Curtis 1, H. G. Waters 2, and F. Anniss 3. and the principal specials went as follow : The club's" challenge shield and twoguinea medal, for dog scoring most points in the two oprn events—A. S. Smith s Flight~(2fjrpoints and 27 points) 1, Mr C. Cowan's Darkev (27 points and 16 ]x>nits) 2 Mr T. Hogg's Noel (19 point* and 22

points) close up. Mr E. Russell won Mr R. Dunlop s handsome special for best "outside" team of two dogs, Mr T. H. Bennett being his closest, rival. Mr C. Cowan won Mr Bussetts trophy for dog scoring most points in the two Maiden events, and Mr A. Curtis Mr H. Marriott's for best two dogs in those classes. Mr Alex. Stewart won Mr W. G. M'Kinnon's medal for maiden outside competitor scoring most points. Mr Alex. Keeffeo won Mr W. Bains medal for youngest competitor scoring not less than' one-third points in two classes, while Mr D. Bain secured Mr Feren s similarly in one class. FIXTURES. M-ossburn—April 4 and 5. Core—April 9 and 10. Tuapeka—April 9 and 10. Waihemo —April 9 and 10. Miller's Flat—April 19. Clutha—April 17 and 18. Strath-Taieri—April 24 mid 20. Taiori—May 1,2, 3. and 4. | Waitaki—May 8 and 9. Christohurch—May 23, 21. and 20.