NORTHERN RACING PIGEON CLUB.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 189, 11 August 1919, Page 8

NORTHERN RACING PIGEON CLUB.

NEXT SEASON'S l'RO_-UAM_tE. The Northern Racing Pigeon Club .held a general mectlug at the Auckland Workingmen's Club on Wednesday, wlien a large number of fanciers were present. Business commenced with the club s correspondence, which was numerous, and took a considerable part of the evenlug to read. Correspondence was rend from the llou. \V. H. iierr.es, Mr. R. McVilly, the stutlonmasters at Wanganul and Auckland, and the Chief Detective. Auckland, re the birds lost lv the club's race from Wanganul. Exhaustive inquiries had been made, but nothing definite hud been arrived at. The only arrival since the race was Messrs. Watson Bros.' New York, the record-holder from Te Awainutu, the bird homing with its wing cut. The club had approached the Government for concessions on the railways, but owiug to existing conditions the Department could uo t grant concessions at the present time. The mutter would be given consideration in the future.

Mr. Warwick Savage, of Rurslem, England, wrote, donating a handsome challenge cup in memory of his brother. Dr. T. C. Savage, who wus a member of the club aud did much to encourage the sport. The cup will be competed fur In the club's ruce from Christchurch. Another generous donation to the value of lo guineas was given by tbe Crown Clothing Company, and will be competed for from Invercarglli. an alrllue distance of approximately SOo niiles to Auckland. This will be the first occasion Unit this distance has beeu attempted iv Auckland, but the club members are confident of success. The Hon. A. M. Myers lias donated a gold medal, which will be for the best average during the old bird races. Numerous other donations and specials have also been received. Tho club members are hopeful of breaking several existing records this season, and arc getlbig distances re-measured to ensure the greatest accuracy. The club's rules were revised, and the race schedule for the ensuing season was drawn tip on au ambitious scale. The programme for the old bird races is as follows:—Frankton. TO miles. Te Awamutu, 82 miles; Te Kuitl 100 miles: Tiinmnrunui. -.Mr, miles, Ohakune' ISC uiilrs; Palmerston. 215 miles: Paekakariki. 286 miles: Wellln-gton. 30S miles..'lrrlstcburch, 475 miles : Ashburtou 5_6 miles; OliHkunc. ISfi miles; Palmerston yearling. 245 miles; DnnedUi, t>7o milesWellington (chnmplonshlpl, 308 miles- and Invercarglli. soo miles; all distances betu" nirline to Auckland. The first race is to be flown on September 13, but the date Is subject to alteration, owing u> the railway restrictions.