National Sheep Dog Trials

Dogs of all shapes, sizes and colour from all parts of New Zealand joined their owners in a trip to Delaware Bay, close to Cable Bay, earlier this month. The occasion was the annual national sheep dog trials. New Zealand's economy is largely dependent on the country's primary production, so that the shepherd and his dogs are small but very important cogs in the production machine The trials gives farmers and shepherds the opportunity of pitting their dogs and themselves against the best in the country. The importance placed on the trials can be gauged from the fact that about 650 entries were received.

The backbone of the country

N. G. MacKenzie (Hokianga), with Gay. competing in the short head and yard class

National president, Mr Alex Stead.

Championship secretary and assistant, Kelvin Haycock (right) and Ray Fissenden

D. Sutherland (Palmerston) and Sandy competing in the zig zag

Visitors trying to escape the wind during lunch, Pat Bellerby and Jean Stead (Hastings) Dorothy Aubrey (Christ-church), Charley Crutchley (Naseby), Charlie Hore (Pateoroa), Dick Lee (Napier), John Macdonald (Te Anau).

Three workers, Vergi Boyce (Seddon), wife of the centre president, Phil Gibbs (Wakefield), chief marshal, Stella Wadsworth (Wairau Valley).

National vice-president and former All Black, Bill Hazlett, of Mossburn.

Feeding the hungry mob.

Marshal for the long head class, Merv Wadsworth (Wairau Valley).

Watching the long head contestants: Bill Pickering (Awatere), Don Boyce (Awatere), Nelson-Marlborough centre president, Jack Laugesen (Kaikoura) and Derek Haines (Southbridge).

National secretary, Bruce Fippird (Hastings).

Examining a varied selection of sticks: Harvey Herbert (Whangaroa), Clint Gibbs (Brightwater), Jack Rodgers (Martinborough). Guy Brennan (Feilding) and Keith Stringer (Wakefield).

This is certainly not the dog house - it's the meat house wherein lay the carcases of 200 sheep for dog tucker. Rod Mead, of Gisborne, has an interested audience as he makes a selection.

Dan Tomlin (Coalgate) is another who is popular with his dogs.

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The Nelson Photo News

No 92 : June 29, 1968

National Sheep Dog Trials