COLLIE DOG TRIALS AT CASHMERE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6513, 16 June 1899, Page 1

COLLIE DOG TRIALS AT CASHMERE.

Yesterday saw the opening of the third competitions under the auspices -of the Christclnirch, Sheep-dog Trial Club. These fixtures have now reached such dimensions that they are undoubtedly the premier dog trials of the colony. The entries number 237 for the four events, and it will take fully five days to get the competitions through. Ihe ground chosen this year, although the club has again accepted the hospitality of the proprietors of the Cashmere Estate, is much more convenient for the public than was the site used last year, as all the wort is done in view of the spectators, and the course is sufficiently broken to test the capa- j bilities of the dogs. Tlie ground is situated almost at the foot of Colombo Street, and the spectators have a natural grand stand from which to view the events in the hill immediately behind the Reserve Corps' targets. Between the two hills is a fairsized flat, on which the ring is sit Hated and on which, the yarding is done. Although the day was very dull and foggy in town, the weatlier was quite clear for the greater part of the day at Cashmere, and in the afternoon a large number of visitors were on the ground. Mr P. Burke has a luncheon tent and a marquee for afternoon tea for ladies. Mr C P. Hugonin, the manager of the estate, with Mr Polhill and the members of the committee, had every arrangement made for liberating and securing the sheep, and at 9 a.m. work commenced with the heading, bringingrback and yarding competition, for which there were sixty-four entries. Mr W. 0. Rutherford, of Mbntrose, acted as judge, while Mr W. Ciarkson was timekeeper, and Mr P. Elder flag steward". Up to 4 p.m., when the trials had to be stopped, owing to the light failing, twentysix dogs had been tried, and although seve^ ral of them showed good Work in one form or another, the display, on the whole, more especially at the yards, was disappointing, only about ten dogs showing good enough \vork to give them any chance of 'gaining more than fifteen points out of the total of- thirty. The actual points awarded to each dog by the judge will' not be available until the trial is closed. HEADING, BRINGING BACK AND YAE.D- --: ING. about 350 yds. Time— lsmin. Points— I Heading 5, under command 7, bringing back : 5, ynrding 6, style 7 ; total 30 points. Mr J. Weir's Tweed .raced his sheep to head them, and. working rashly, split them, worked wide at the yards and" failed to get them in. Was under fair command; Mr J. Forrester's Ross failed to head until the sheep were over the hill, and petting them into the rocks in returning failed to dislodge them. Mr A. M'Farland's Doll went very wide and crossed before heading; and finally left the sheep in the rocks. Mr R. Fraser's Fame barked in going out, but headed smartly. She worked rather wide coming back, 'and time was called" just as the sheep were going into the yard"; under fair command. Mr C. B. Anderson's Bob' headed smartly, but worked rather wide on the turns in coming back and failed to yard in time ; under fair control; Mr C. E. Lewis's Dash headed quickly and in nice style, but was a little rash on the downward trip, worked very well at close quarters, being thoroughly under command, and" ya-rded in 9£min. Mr J. Sutherland's Tip did not head until the sheep were- over the hill, and splitting them on the homeward" journey was not further persevered with. Mr F. Lang's Bruce headed smartly, but was noisy in bringing them back and broke them several times, but got them down to the yards in 9min, and by splendid work at the ring got them in ll£min ; was under good command. Mr J. R. Thompson's Tar headed splendidly, but split the sheep directly afterwards, and lost them- in the rocks ; was under good command in goin" but, Mv B. Hopkins's Cub, although promising well at first, crossed before headin" and being noisy on the return split and lost the sheep. Mr A. Kennedy's Clyde failed to find the sheep, and was called off. Mr R. MAdams Jock went out noisily, and did not head the sheep till they were out of sight, and Bad onlybrought them halfway down when time was called. Mr N. Ballantyne's M6ss : went out under good command, and" Headed" smartly, and was bringing the sheep down quietly, when her chance was spoiled by their getting into some rocks, from which they could not be dislodged; under good command. Mr A. Bain's Dick did not head until the sheep were out of sight, die 1 some quiet, but rather slow, work in bringing back, and had only just reached the ring when time was called ; under good command. Mr C. Johnston's FloralieadetT very smartly and in good style ; and aWQough under good command, did not do good workin bringing back, but was much better at the ring, failing, however, to yard ir time. Mr E. M'Lennan's Tyke Headed almost faultlessly, in quick time, was rather keen on the return journey, and, working wide at the ring, was not persevered with. Mr G. Joine's Bob was under very good command, and headed well, but was rather noisy in bringing back, and being? too rash at the ring, did not get the sheep in the yard. Mr R. Acton-Adams's (pfyde failed j to find the sheep, and was called off. Mr i A. Kennedy's Darkie headed very smartly, and in good style, and was noisy on the return, but after doing some good work at the ring became rash, and failed to yard. Mr J. W. Murfitt's Sharp never found the j sheep.. Mr T. Gordon's Top crossed before heading, and getting: the sheep intc some rocks, split them and was called off Mr W. T. Pollock's Dick went out under splendid command, and headed smartly, and in good style, getting his sheep into thr ring in good, time, but here he worked rather wide, and split them and failed to yard. Mr E. Pearce's Toss declined to 'face the hill, and was not persevered with. Mr C. M'Rae's Nell crossed before heading, and worked wide, both on the return and in the ring, and was called off. Mr W. W. M'Rae's Barr. although he had some very fast sheep, which got over the hill before he could sight them, headed quickly, but not before crossing-, and working rather wide coming down, let them get into some rocks, where he showed excellent work in dislodging them, but so much time had been lost, that he had only reached the ring when time was called. Mr H. T. Little's Gather went out well, but crossed before heading, and having some hard luck .amongst the rocks, split his shSep and lost them. The remainder of the dogs m this competition will work to-day, a commencement being made at 8 a.m.