PREMIER PIGEON CLUB

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21525, 15 July 1935, Page 5

PREMIER PIGEON CLUB

A JUBILEE OF FLYING IN CHRISTCHURCH

MR A. T. SMITH HONOURED

Many expressions of admiration for the qualities of Mr A. T. Smith, and for the value of his work in pigeon fancying and poultry circles were expressed at a social evening of the Premier Pigeon Club on Saturday. The social was arranged to celebrate the sixtieth year of pigeon flying in Christchurch, and to make a presentation to Mr Smith, the club's patron. The president, Mr A. W. Jones, welcomed Mr Smith. The celebration of a jubilee, he said, wis in itself auspicious; but the importance of the gathering was augmented by having as guest of honour a man so prominent in the sport as Mr Smith. Mr Smith was one of the founders of the club. Through many years he had stood by it, and its present happy position was due greatly to him Mr J, Green referred to Mr Smith as the grand o'd man of the pigeon fancy in New Zealand. It had been with him a labour of love, arid his example was a supreme criterion for younger fanciers. Never, he concluded, had there meen a man o higher integrity than Mr in the sport. t was as a past president of the Utility Poultry Club, said M* 1 T. S Dove, that he /ould like to Day his respects to Mr Smith. He had been the first president of the club, and mainly through him it had been founded. There had b°en times wh°n circumstances had almost forced the club out of existence, but each time it had been saved by Mr Smith's support. And apart from utility poultry, he was a sterling fancier in th : his interest reached to others and was not merely personal. Messrs S. G. Mallard and B. J. Pegley also spoke, both of them remarking upon Mr Sm ; ' s kindness and fairness, and the zest he gave to his several interests. The toast. "The Patron." was proposed by Mr Mallard.

Presentation Made

The Deputy-Mayor (Mr J. W. Beanland), on behalf o f t'-.e club, presented to Mr Smith a silver engraved tray. He complimented Mr Smith on his success in pigeon j v ing. but added that it was not at all surprising; he himself had found Mr Smith always so persistent of purpose in whatever he undertook to do. Proof of Mr Smith's influence was that even the y.-ngest pigeon flyers could fully appreciate his work.

"T feel indeed honoured, I dm tremendously proud t reach the diamond jubilee of New Zealand pigeon fancying," said Mr Smith, acknowledging the presentation. He knew of no distinction that he would have appreciated more, especially as he had won the first pigeon ract down in New Zealand by a club. Fancying, he continued, had from ti start made forceful progress, and he was gratified to see that it attracted the attentions of younger people.

A presentation was made also to Mr D. W. Broad, a member of the club, who won the Blenheim to Christchurch pigeon race.

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