SHEEP DOG TRIALS

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 222, 28 August 1931, Page 2

SHEEP DOG TRIALS

MANGAEHU-STRATFORD CLUB ■ f . ANNUAL MEETING TJiere was an attendance of 35 members of the Mangaehu-Stratford Sheep Dog Trial Club in the Tututawa Hall on Wednesday night, at the annual meeting, when Mr. L. Buun presided. The annual report of the president stated:— ' .

"i should like to thank Mr. Arkwrlglit for-.the use of his property, which lends itself admirably to the holding of the annual trials, while his provision of sheep for use at the trials "is a big asset to the club."

Owing to the earthquake, soon after the (rials had been held, the committee had decided not to canvass Stratford for donations, though a number of people had made them voluntarily. As the club had drawn the championships for next trials a canvass of the town would.have to be made. The club had again procured the services of the capable judge, Mr. V. King, Awakino. The difference between a good and bad judge meant the difference between a successful and an unsuccessful trial. Mr. 17. A. Scott, Whakamara, had consented to judge the championship trials and lie was second to none in the North Island at judging sheep dogs. "Wc all learn by experience," continued Mr. Bunn. "From my observations at previous trials I would recommend the committee firstly to retrain from establishing a refreshment tent on the ground, and secondly to give consideration to the advisability of substituting good trophies such as r. rug or ?■ dinner set for the cups usually presented with the prizemoney for the three main events. • Loss on Year's Operations

.The balance-sheet disclosed a loss of £9 on the club's activities for the year, but of that £6 was the donation to the earthquake relief fund. In explaining the statement of accounts, the chairman said donations had decreased by £l7, the sale of tickets by £4 and the refreshment collection "by £G 10s. Savings had been, made by a decrease of £5 in the nrize money for the first dogs and £6 in the novice classes. The club, however, was in a sound financial position, having an accumulated credit balance of £sl 10s after the purchase of the big marqnee and crockery. Replying to Mr. L. Walker, the Chairman said {he catering, as handled by the club, despite the fact that it hid no previous experience, had been the only part of the trials that had actually shown a profit; £2 lis 7d was made from the catering. After desultory discussion the report and balance sheet were adopted. Mr. Norris paid tribute to the work of the ladies, especially Mrs. Bunn. lie congratulated the chairman upon the manner in which the trials had been conducted, and spoke appreciatively of the work of the secretary and stewards. Election, of Office-bearers The following officers were elected for the ensuing Patron, Mr. W. J. Poison, M.P.; president, Mr. Levi Bunn; honorary secretary, Mr. W. Norris; assistant secretary, Mr. R. Corry; honorary auditor, Mr. E. Cutfield; gate-keepers, Messrs. E. Ure and T. Rrough; judge's secretaries* Messrs. M. Syme and R. Ure; timekeepers, Messrs. J. Jacobsen and A. Punning; dog steward, Mr. W. Johnson; sheep steward, Mr. A. C. Gibbs; canvassers. Messrs. A. D. Corkill, J. Welch, W. Norris, L. Bunn, J. B. Norms and T. Godkin; sheep-guessing steward Mr,. Les. Bunn; chain-step-ping steward, Mr. John Norris: business committee, Messrs. J. B. Norris, A. D. Corkill, A. J. Holley, J. Welch, L Walker, P. Norris and the president, and secretary.

The secretary, Mr. W. Norris, and the president, Mr. Levi Bunn, were each voted an honorarium of £3 3s, it being mentioned that the amount scarcely covered out-of-pocket expenses connected with the trials. Mr. P. Norris received a very cordial vote of thanks upon again offering the use of his ground and sheep for the championship 'trials. A marked difference of opinion was indicated on the matter of catering, bnt, after disposing of a motion to leave the work to an outside firm, it was agreed to carry on as in last year. After some pressing Mr. Bunn. agreed to again take charge of this department. The meeting having agreed to cer-: lain restrictions in refreshment at the trials, it was decided to hold the annual smoke concert as usual, but in the hall, not in the marquee. The next trials will be held again o'i the last Wednesday and Thursday c! February. A lengthy discussion ensued upon the president's recommendation regarding p. substitution of valuable trophies for the usual cups in the championships, but the decision was in favour of cups.