WAIHI=WAITARA DOG TRIAL

Taranaki Daily News, 27 April 1934, Page 11

WAIHI=WAITARA DOG TRIAL

REVIVAL MEETING SUCCESS new and improved course. FRASER SMITH WINS SHORT HEAD. ■The weather could hardly have been more unfavourable for the seventh annual trials of the Waihi-Waitara Sheep Dog Trial Club, which opened yesterday on the property of Mr; Fred Sarten, Ngatimaru Road, Tikorangi. There was a very cold wind, with scattered showers. Such, however, is the inter<S>t that is taken in the work of sheep dogs that the conditions did not detract from the entries, competitors being present from far ajway as Awakino and Mangamingi, while there was also a good attendance of the public. . ) The trials had previously been held on. the property of Mr. J. Edwin, Motunui,, where the contour of the country did, not permit of a course sufficient to test! the capabilities of the contestants, it being i too level. On the new ground, however, I there is a spur which provides an ideal j course, and full advantage of it. has been j taken by the commitee in laying it out.: In the long head and pull the sheep are. let out on/top of the spur and the dogs, have to take a grip at once as there is | not much room. After pulling down the clear slope a dip has to be negotiated before the flat is reached. The public had a splendid view from the property of Mr. P. Scrimgeour, opposite. • For the group championships next year it is proposed to lengthen the course by extending the pull across the road and having the ring on the property of Mr. Scrimgeour. The sheep, which were provided by Mr. Fred Sarten, were an even line of twotooth wethers, though they were rendered somewhat “touchy” by the weather. The sheep had to be pulled against a strong wind, which also militated against the signals, being heard by the dog when working on the hill. Nevertheless theie was good average work throughout, the majority of the competitors completing their task in businesslike style. Good progress was made, the long head, pull and hold in ring event, in which there were over 30 competitors, being completed and several runs being made in the short head, drive and yard, in which also there were 30 entries. The judge, Mr. J. Scott, New Plymouth, gave meticulous attention to his work. With his clerk, Mr. J. Draper, and the timekeeper, Mr. H. Fitzsimmonds, he had an arduous day. The runs were started by a bell, which was also utilised to denote when time was up, a whistle being used to denote the completion of the work. The whistle was used frequently yesterday. THE PLACED DOGS. There was only half a point to choose between the first and second dogs, the honours going to Fraser Smith, Awakino, with Highland King, .while W. V. McIntyre, Waitui, was second with his young dog Chief. The work was so even that it would have been no surprise had the verdict gone the other way. Both dogs made perfect heads. Highland King did not show quits sufficient progress in the pull and,, lost half a point there, as well as half a point in command, his ring work being perfect. Chief was inclined to zig-zag a little in the pull, losing half a point, as well as half a point for command. He also lost half a point when he let his sheep slightly out of the ring. Fred King’s Black Scot was third. He lost a point when he set his sheep, though he went out on a very good cast and made a good head. He lost half a point there, as well as half a point for command, when he pulled a little rashly and split the sheep. At the ring he let the sheep out slightly, making a rather slow recovery, but finished well. That cost him a point for ring work as well as half a point for command. Other officials who contributed to the running of the gathering were Messrs. J. Edwin, ground marshall; R. Pennington, dog steward; J. Edwin, C. Carmichael, J. Herbert and A. Turnbull, sheep stewards. The last-named quartette had an unenviable position on top of the hill. Mr. C. Topless had charge of the sheepguessing. The catering was under the Control of Miss Priar, Waitara, being set out in a cottage on the property, as the wind did not permit of the erection of the marquee. The detailed results are:— Class L—Head, pull and hold in ring, about 400 yards. Time, 10m. Points, heading 17, bringing back 17, holding in ring 4, command 12, total 50. First £5, second £2, third £l, fourth 10s. Fraser Smith’s (Awakino) Highland King, 17, 16J, 4, HF-49 1 W. V. Mclntyre’s (Waitui) Chief, 17, 165, 3i, 114—48 J 2 Fred King’s (Awakino) Black Scot, 16, 16|, 3, 11—46-1 3 A. Doolis (Mangamingi) Boy, 16, 16, 3, 10-45 4 Fred King’s Bill, 16, 16, 3, 9J—44J 5 W. V. Mclntyre’s Cruachan, 16, 16, 3, 9-44 6 A. J. Northcott’s (Uruti) Laddie, 17, 16, 1, 9-43 7 J. Edwin’s (Motunui) Jed, 14, 14, 3, 9— 40 8 S. George’s (Tarata) Sail, 16, 14, 0, 8— 38 9 Fraser Smith’s King Junr., 10, 17, 2, 9— 30 , 10 The sheep guessing competition was won by C. Taylor, whose estimate of 1031 b. was correct. The annual club dance was held in the Motunui hall in' the evening, the music being provided by the Mecca Orchestra. Mr. J. H. T. Robinson was master of ceremonies.