N.I. pigeon successes

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32626, 7 June 1971, Page 16

N.I. pigeon successes

Pigeons from the North Island took all but one of the New Zealand and South Island championship awards in the New Zealand Homing Pigeon Federation’s annual show’ held in Christchurch on Friday, Saturday and yesterday. , - A near-record 560 birds from 67 owners were entered in the competitions. Entries from Wanganui, Gisborne, Levin, and most parts of the South Island were received. A blue bar cock entered by, Mr L. Edmonds, of Wanganui,; won both the New Zealand federation’s best open class homer championship and the South Island Poultry, Pigeon, i and Cage Bird Association’s I championship for the best old homer. In other New Zealand federation championships, the award • for best open class opposite sex : bird was won by Mr Edmonds, the award for best flown homer J by Mr F. D. Martin, of Gisborne, and the award for best, flown opposite sex bird by Mr; G. McDonald, of Gisborne.

The 5.1.P.P.C.8. award for best young homer pigeon was taken by R. Simmons, of Blenheim. Mr J. E. Hartland, one of the flown class judges, said that a lot of the birds were very good though some were a bit light in condition, possibly because of the warm local weather. Mr R. Simmons’s red checker hen, judged the best young homer, was an outstanding pigeon. The large classes provided a lot of good competition said the other flown judge, Mr E. S. Calvert. He agreed that the changeable local weather may have contributed to the success of many of the birds from outside Christchurch. Mr F. M. Brownie, the open class judge, said the overall quality of the birds was very good and a few were outstanding. Pigeons from out of town were in tip-top order and had the edge on local entries, although the local birds by no means disgraced themselves. The best old bird, a blue bar cock owned by Mr Edmonds, was an exceptionally good pigeon. Class winners were:—

Open.—Old birds: Cocks <4B entries). L. Edmonds (Wanganui*; hens (40), L. Edmonds. Year-

lings: Cocks (21), L. Edmonds; hens (21), Wilson and Whiteside (Christchurch). Young birds. 1970 rung: Cocks (19), Wilson and Whiteside; hens (19), D. Faith (Christchurch).

Flown. —100 miles and over, 1970 rung: Cocks (24), T. J. Curry (Christchurch); hens (30), R. Simmons (Blenheim). 150 miles and over, 1970 rung: Cocks (58), K. J. Harrison (Christchurch); hens (50), R. Leonard (Ashburton). 200 miles and over: Cocks (16), W. Le Gros (Christchurch); hens (21), W. Le Gros. 300 miles and

over: Cocks (22), W. Le Gros; hens (23), F. D. Martin (Gisborne). 400 miles and over: Cocks (24), R. G. Anderson

fvnnsicnurcni; nens J. Harrison. 500 miles and over: Cocks (32), G. McDonald (Gisborne); hens (30). F. D. Martin {Gisborne). • Yearlings, over 300 miles: Cocks (28), W. Barrett and Son (Christchurch); hens (17), G. McDonald.