HOMING PIGEONS IN WAR TIME.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 274, 18 November 1899, Page 3 (Supplement)

HOMING PIGEONS IN WAR TIME.

(By I. Hopkins, Hon. Sec. Auckland

Flying* Club.)

The use of Homing Pigeons as messengers by the military authorities at the seat of war in South Africa having been mentioned in our recent cable news, it may be of general interest to recount a few notable instances when the services of these birds have been of incalculable value, and also to mention what is now being done by the leading nations of the world to perfect a system of pigeon post services in the several countries.

From long- before the advent of the Christian Era, we have authentic records of the use of messenger pigeons in Eastern countries, both in dimes of pence and war. So perfect was the organisation of pigeon posts — usually.in 50 mile stages—in ancient times, that it is on record that when Alexander the Great was in Persia and lamenting the difficulty of rapidly communicating1 with his distant troops, an offer was made by a merchant to send a letter from Egypt to India 'within five days. Pigeons have also been mentioned by Pliny, and Tasso, as being* the moans of communication between che besieged cities of Modena and Jerusalem respectively; and the outside world; in fact, there is ample proof that at all times, and under varying circumstances, the messenger pigeon has played a very important part in the affairs of mankind.

Coming' down to our own times, the most notable instance of the use of pigeons in wartime was at the Siege of Paris during the Franco-Prussian War, when, with the exception of the balloons that carried the pigeons out of the city, the latter were almost the sole means of communication with it. So completely did the pigeons accomplish all that was expected of them that the attention of all the military authorities of Europe was drawn to the importance of establishing pigeon services in their several countries. The result is, that Russia, Germany, Austria, Italy, France, Great Britain, and America, have O't the present time well equipped naval and military lofts. From £2,000 to £5,000 are annually voted by the different Governments for the maintenance of their pigeon services. The chief British lofts are on the coast at Portsmouth, Devonport, and Sheerness, which we,ve established at a total cost of £1,17(5. There are also lofts fit Gibraltar and Malta. During the Spanish-American War, lofts were established along- the, Florida coast, and pigeons were largely used as messengers by the American fleet when operating' olt' Key West. Homing' pigeon fanciers have reason to be proud of the fact that their brother fanciers in the United States at the outbreak of the war placed 60,000 pigeons at the service of. 'their country without fee or reward.

With regard to Homing- pig-eons in. South Africa, there is at least one very strong1 Club, "The JohannesburgHoming- Society," in Johannesburg-, some of the members owning- as many as 400 birds, and the majority over 100. Thero is also "The Maritzburg Flying- Club." at Pietermaritzburg, besides a goodly number, of pigeons at Capetown, and other parts of South Africa, but probably there may not be many where ihey would be of service just now, at Ladysmith and Maf eking.

Here, in Now Zealand, we are well off for these aerial messengers, and it would be possible by relays of birds to keep up communication to and ■from the Xorth Cape to Stuarts Island within a short time after every telegraph wire in the colony had been cut. Our Government recognising" the importance.1 of fostering- the breeding and keeping' of homing pig-eons have specially legislated for their protection, and carry the birds free over all the railway lines for -the purpose of training. The Steamship Companies nlso very genei-ously carry them free. The Government 'under the reventAct, in return for the special protection given, can call upon and use in case of emergency every pigeon so protected. But apart from this, there is not a. horn.ing man in the colony, T am certain, but what would follow the example of our American brother fanciers and place every bird he has at the service of his country if needed.

It Avill be seen from the above that the keeping1, breeding, and training- of Homing1 pigeons, while contributing very much pleasure to the fancier, is of national importance. The races held by the various clubs are absolutely necessary as part of a system in the improvement of the pigeons, and this much may be said, though prizes arc given for the winning" birds, wagering Is'forbidden by the rules on the pain of expulsion from the Club. A number of Auckland gentlemen have very generously contributed to the prize funds of my Club, thereby assisting an institution which will be ever ready to perform a national service should it be required.