PIGEON FLYING.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18241, 27 November 1924, Page 2

PIGEON FLYING.

NEW ZEALAND GRAND NATIONAL.

Eight clubs have entered for the New Zealand Grand National, which will he flown next week. The event is open for old bira3 of any age, and the distance to be flown will be 240 miles or over. The Dunedin Flying Club has entered 20 birds, which will be liberated at Culverden; the Timaru Club 17 birds, to be liberated at Kaitoke; the Wellington Club 16 birds t\nd the Petono Club 15 birds, which will in each case be liberated at Te Aroha; the Blenheim Club 1? birds, and the Marlborough Club six birds, to be released at Te Awamutu in each-ca3e; the Manawatu Club 10-birds, which will fly from Auckland; and the Feilding Club 18 birds. In all 119 birds will be engaged in the flight. The owner of the bird with the best velocity will receive 40 per cent.-of the entrance fees j the second prize will be 20 per cent., and the third 10 per cent, of the amount received;. the. balance, less expenses, being divided amongst the winners of each club, provided it has entered not fewer than 15 birds. BACE FROM KAITOKE. The Canterbury Pigeon Flying Club held their third race from Kaitoke recently. The 92 birds Bent, divided amongst 19 owners, were liberated by Mr Simpson, stationmaster, at 9 a.m., in fine weather, which neabled them to register fast times. The winning bird, No. 1179, the property of E. B. French, flew the distance of 220 miles 1487 yards in shrs 4min 56seo. Kesults:— Yards per minute. French, No. 1179 .* « .. 127* Ringsford, No. 988 „ ... 1273 Mallard, Streight-eighi .. 1270 Pearson, Fortuna, .. .. 1265 Martin, No. 937 .. .. 1265 Buckley. Cappv Ricks .. .. 126* Jones. Safety Zone .. .. 1260 Close, No. 883 - ... •• 1238 Robertson, Sapling -,. , .. 1257 WiTMire, No. 557 .. .. 1206 Gerard, Transitive .. •• 12°2 Bird, Wildfire 12W Green, No. 370 .. .. .< 1191 Chambers, No. 579 .. .. 1112 Belworthy, No. 448 .. •■ "M Anderson. The Saint .. •• oao . S. Mallard wins the nominated bird prize, pjd E. B. French the special prize for the iftnner of the Kaitoke race.