PIGEON CLUB.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18152, 15 August 1924, Page 7

PIGEON CLUB.

The Canterbury Pigeon Flying Club held its annual eocial and presentation of prize* on Wednesday evening at the Poultry Club's rooms, Colombo street. Mr J. G. Anderson (patronj presided, and there was a largo attendance of members and friends, including Mr Geo. Jeffries, president of the Poultry Club, Mr Arthur Smith, of the United Fanciers' Club, and Mr W. Hart, a fancier from Hastings. The honours of the o.d bird season went to Mr 'George Robertson, who won three out of the four 500 miles races (which is easily a- record), a.so Mr tr. McDougall's gold medal for • the beet average in the eight longest Taces, and the Brown, Stewart cup, which was won outright. Messrs \ Buckley, second Auckland, and third East Cape, F. D. Wilson, first Aucaland, H. Pearson, second Ea3t Cape, and A.. Gerard, liiiul Auckland, were next respectively, in 500-mile t ace honours. The club paid the sum of £73 to members in prize .money, the principal winners being Messrs G. Robertson F. Kingsio.d, P. Wilson, S. Mallard, A. iiuc'klev, H. Pearsoii.'A. Gerard, and C. Martin. In the course of a speech, Mr Arthur Smith stated that the first flying race flown in' Canterbury was from Rolleston to Christchurch, in ' 1875 > an<l t* l6 speaker competed in it, 'and to commemorate the occasion of the jubilee next year, he had decided to present a- McQuarrie and Smith cup to the winner of the Russell race, 620 miles. To show the progress the fancy had made, fifty years ago it' waa considered wonderful for a pigeon to fly 40 miles to. its home, Mid at the present time they were flying 500 and 600 odd miles in New Zealand every year. Musical items were given by Messrs Puddle, Clarke, Terry, and Patterson, with Mr Harry Mitchell at the piamt.