FANCIERS' COLUMN.

Otago Witness, Issue 3353, 19 June 1918, Page 51

FANCIERS' COLUMN.

"By Terkor.

The Otago Witness has been appointed the official organ for the publication of announcements of the Dunedin Fanciers' Club.

THE KENNEL.

Fanciers and breeders of dogs are cordially invited to contribute to this column. "Terror" will endeavour to make this department as interesting and up-to-date as possible, but in order to do this he must have the co-operation of his readers, hence he trusts this invitation will be cheerfully responded to.

A correspondent, writing from the North Island, tells mo in a chatty sort of letter that "a doggie letter to him is like —or better than —a good tonic." He explains: " It tones me up wonderfully, cspecailly if I should feel in the dumps (which is not often), and infuses me with

th 3 desire to bo more enthusiastic, and endeavour to impart some of that enthusiasm to others less endowed with the joy and happiness that is the lot of the true fancier." I don't think that my correspondent meant the foregoing for publication, but his sentiment is too well expressed not to bo handed on. A few years back there were several enthusiasts ardent enough to bo infectious, but I am afraid there are very few now, and probably this is partly the reason why so many business men talk of being "run down." A hobby to which ic was a plcasuro to devote a little attention might—probably would—extend their term of usefulness and of health; 'but no, they prefer the strenuous life, and continue till the inevitable happens—i.e., till something breaks. A hobby such as the dog fancier's is a paying preposition, not, perhaps, in the financial sense, but certainly in the pleasure which results, and the respor.se which a dog gives to kindness in the form, of faithfulness and love J 3 worth more than money can buy. I learn that the Auckland show is to take place earlier this year than usual—probably in August. Wellington may not run a show at all this year. Tho bulldog Sailor Boy goes to Australia shortly, purchased from Mr Munro for a Mr Dorman, of Melbourne. Sailor Boy is undoubtedly a good-headed, bigboned, heavy-weight, and should have done fairly well on tho bench here, but was rarely if ever, trotted out. I am Informed that he has improved since he left Dunedin, and ho is likely to be in the money in Australia.

N —Mr E. S. .Wilson, tho secretary of the Dunedin Fanciers' Club, has received word that Mr Kyle, who was appointed judge of the dog section at the forthcoming show, will, on account of military duties, be unable to attend tho show. This will bo a great disappintment to many fanciers, who recognise Mr Kyle's ability and fairness as a judge. - The club is now endeavouring to secure the services of another good man from the north. There has been talk among the ranks of the doggie section in local circles as to which breed of the canine would hold premier place at our forthcoming show—i.e., as regards number of entries. It may therefore interest many to learn that the merry little cocker can lay claim to honours in this respect. The entries in this breed total as many as any other two breeds put together, showing clearly _ that there will be keen interest When the judge is. distributing tho tickets to the "cockei--ites."

Tho cockers aro also noticeable among the entries for the ladies' "bracelet, and the competition here will, consequently, be keen.

Amongst the fanciers contesting at the show thei-e are, in addition to those I mentioned last week t Messrs Spedding, Richmond, and Martin, of Christchurch; Mr Alex. Kidd, of Invercargill; and Mr Brown, of Balclutha. One of our cocker fanciers, Mr L. S. Gibson, tells me that he was a little more fortunate this season with his Australianbred bitch, Maismere Beauty, in being able to rear a black dog puppy out of a litter of four pups whelped. He advises mo also that the surviving one, although only just over three weks old, so far looks a promising pup. Mr Gibson deserves the luck which I am sure all fanciers wish him — that is to say that he will be able to place something good on the bench next year, presuming, of .course, that this terrible war will not be the means of curtailing our dog shows as it has done in the Old Land.

From tho fact that 4000 dogs a year are passing through the Lost Dogs' Home, Melbourne", and that over 14,000 have passed through tho institution during its five years of life, its rapid growth is only too apparent, and amply testifies to the need for such a home. The consequent increased amount of work has entailed the employing of a second keeper, and the building of a cottage for his use is at present occupying the committee's attention. Tho extension of the kennel yard space is another matter under consideration. These extensions of the working establishment of tho home havo been rendered necessary owing to the tremendous increase in the number of dogs received, due to the use made of the home by the municipal councils of Melbourne and suburbs. It is a matter of satisfaction to all interested to know that working expenses are assured, but tho need for capital to carry out these improvements exists. From dog-lovers an appeal will met, I am sure (says a Melbourne writer), with a ready response, and those to whom tho diseased dog at large in the city or suburban streets is a matter of much xiersonal discomfort must recognise that, they are much indebted to the Lost Dogs' Home for the marked decrease in the number of such dogs. With the necessity of making the most out of everything that can bo worked up into cloth, a new industry has been developed in England, and that is the manufacture of dog's hair or wool into yarn which can be used for stockings or other wearing apparel. Tho wool has been given a fair trial, and has been found very suitable for many purposes. An association, entitled the British Dog's Wool Association, has been formed, and a, large and an influential committee is dealing with the new industry. Pekingese, white poodles. Clumber and cocker spaniels, Chows, and many other breeds produce a coat which can bo worked up. Our Dogs (England) states that in March last one of the biggest Australian wool merchants camo to tho Central Work Rooms, and was shown two garments, on which his expert opinion was asked, without being told from what animal the wool had been taken Ono garment was made from Chow wool. He appreciated the warmth, extreme lightness, and beauty of the garment, but could not indicate tho source of the wooL Tho other was a shooting cap, made of stout cloth, spun and woven from poodle wool. He was both surprised and delighted that such good-qualtiy cloth could be manufactured from dog's wool. If this industry develops into a big thing (as the expert's statement would indicate), the people of Groat Britain will have another strong argument to put forward in favour of our friend tho dog, which has been subjected to much persecution under war conditions.

Lieutenant J- R- Byrne, in the course of a letter to Ins father at Manaia, says: "Herewith some further war curios for the collection. Included, and most interesting of all. is a British 10s Treasury note,. overprinted in Turkish for the use of our troops when they got to Constantinople. They were given to us on pay day before we sailed for tho peninsula in April, _ 1915. Needless to say, we never had occasion to use them. Man proposes,, etc.—Manaia