COASTAL DOG TRIALS

Taranaki Daily News, 22 February 1935, Page 14

COASTAL DOG TRIALS

MARRED BY WET WEATHER. RECORD ENTRIES; GOOD PROGRESS. The Cape Egmont Stock Dog Trial Club was most unfortunate in the weather conditions that prevailed for the opening day of the initial meeting on Mr. H. J. Kelly’s property at .Pungarehu yesterday. Throughout the day there was heavy rain, accompanied at times by strong wind and, though it was weather that delighted the hearts of farmers throughout Taranaki, it made matters decidedly unpleasant for officials, ’competitors and all- concerned in running the trials. .

It speaks well for the enthusiasm and keenness of all that the trials were able to be carried on at all. However, apart altogether from the sporting aspect, dog trials really see the need and the dogs working almost under the same conditions as they do in their every-day work on the farm, where it has to be carried on during the wet and rough weather. Consequently despite the weather the trials were carried on, the officials meeting the conditions philosophically. Naturally matters did not run as smoothly as would have been the case under more pleasant conditions, but the officials, many of whom were having their first experience of dog trial work, stuck to their task under the most unpleasant conditions, being wet through during most of the day. Particularly does this apply to the sheep stewards, Messrs. R. Cassie (chief), C. Hurley, R. J. Vanner, J. Smith, D. Smith, S. Jones, S. L. Gordon, M. King, C. Magan and F. Deacon, and the clearing stewards, Messrs. R. Trimble and J. Wells. With Mr. J. Scott keeping a supervising hand throughout, they got through their work very’ well, and it was no sinecure either, as the sheep, an even line of aged ewes provided by Mr. H. J. Kelly, did not take too kindly to the weather conditions and were apt to bolt for the flat, as soon as released from the sledge on the hill. Occasionally they beat the releasers, but mostly the stewards circumvented them. Care was always taken to see that the sheep were released in such a position that every competitors was given an even chance.

Despite the weather conditions, there was a splendid attendance from all parts, over 60 cars being present. Competitor?, too, supported the club well. They were present from all parts of Taranaki and as far away as Hawkes Bay. They included noted exponents of the game like Messrs. W. V. Mclntyre (Waitui), Fred King and Fraser Smith (Awakino), F. McLennan (Alton), A. Doole and T. Reilly (Eltham), P. Forester (Waitotara), A. J. Northcott (Urenui) and B. Holly (Tututawa), as well as many local novices, who were having their first run. Some of them shaped very well, too. The course appeared to be an easy one, but that fact was the undoing of some of the dogs, as .it meant that the sheep required careful handling, a little rashness on the part of the dog causing trouble.* The sheep were let out on a low hill and the dog had to run out across the flat, head the sheep on the hill, pull them to the ring and work them in the ring to the satisfaction of the judge. That completed class I. The sheep then had to be driven through hurdles to the yard and yarded to complete class 11., in which the same heading and pulling points as in class I. were awarded.

The work on the whole 'was fair, indeed quite a number of the competitors prit up work that would hold its own on any trial ground. A number completed their task, yarding the sheep in good style. Indications point to there being very keen competition, not only for the principal prize money, but also for the numerous trophies, of which every competitor has a chance to secure at least one.

Despite unavoidable delays owing to the sheep at times declining to stand when released on the hill, and also the inconvenience caused by the wet weather, splendid progress was made. Owing to taking the two classes in conjunction it was not possible to complete them yesterday, though the judge, Mr. H. R. Scott, Whakamara, kept assiduously to his task, assessing the merits of the respective runs with meticulous care. He was well aided by Mrs. Scott as clerk. The timekeepers were Messrs. R. J. Fleming, H. F. Annis and J. Garcia. The committee had worked hard the previous day making all arrangements to

ensure smooth running and they worked well.all through yesterday, too. Mr. H. Gilhooly, as president, kept an eye on everything. Mr. Scott gave the club the benefit of his vast experience of dog trial work unstintingly, and a good deal of the success of the gathering was due to that. The mounted stewards, Messrs. G. Pokai (chief), H. Ngara and J. Wells, had a busy time but they did their duty well, as did the ground marshal, Mr. G. Sole, and his assistants, Messrs. R. Fleming and E. G. Holmes, and Mr. R. Inder, dog steward, and his assistant, Mr. G. Puki. The. women of the district who had charge of the catering worked under great difficulties, but they' cheerfully overcame them all, with the result that their department helped greatly to brighten the proceedings. The secretary, Mr. V. Thome, had a busy day and so, too, did the treasurer, Mr. W. Lawrence, but they were rewarded by the smoothness with which the trials were run off. Visitors commented on the splendid organisation that had not failed under the most adverse conditions that they had ever known in all their experience of dog trials. The trials will be continued to-day when, given fine weather, there should be a record attendance. To-day will afford the public the opportunity of witnessing every phase of dog trial work, as there are several runs to complete in the head, pull, ring and also the yarding event, as well as the novel event in which the dog has to ,work the sheep on his own, the huntaway, the cattle event and the final run off between the winner of the sheep and cattle event. Proceedings will be brought to a close with the dance in the Pungarehu hall to-night, when Hooker’s Merrymakers will play the music and the women will see to the catering. The many trophies will also be presented.