FEATHER NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 287, 28 August 1908, Page 11

FEATHER NOTES.

j:'.—" '• "■ 4 •— fßy Domino.] The committee of the New Zealand (North \ island)' Wyandotte Club held a meeting last \ veek.v The .'secretary reported that the prospects .for, a successful season were decidedly good,'.the "clulis continuing to grow in .pojiu-janty.';.All:prize-niono}; won at their recent obpjunetioh; with the Hastings Society "was •'piud out. A communication was recbiyed'. from the Wanganiii Poultry Society applying for the club's patronage and trophies for their next Reason s show, and it was (decided to accede to the request subject to :the \Wanganui Society _ agreeing to the usualj-terms , regarding prize-money, judge, etc. discussion took place on the_ subject of .judges'.for future shows, it; being the general/opinion. t>f members that judges, who hadTthe-^confidence or' Wyandotte breeders selected, and ultimately the following resolution was- carried:: -rr ■" That each member be v requested. t<> nominate not more than i(six ''gentlemen whom they think capable of 'judging Wyandottes at the forthcoming'snow. The names of the six who secure (the most\nominations will be forwarded;tolthe society holding the'shoiy with instructions that they ; erifeage' the highest on the'list,-if he be available; then_the i next in shall be selected., Nominations are to be?in';not later than September 30. • Broody-hens are a scarce commodity this seaspil,:arid 1 many fandiers are at their wits end to secure a sufficiency of them.. In aome cases "quite " fancy" prices have been paid for.them, the fancier' recognising that at this juncture'they. are worth weight in silver. , ; ' ' So.great has been the demand this season for'the.' New Zealand pigeon marking rings for the' tumbler, magpie, and other varieties that <thb gentleman controlling t}ie same for . the Dominion has been compelled to cable Home.ior'a 1 further supply. These, will arrive in October. " \ .

The' Wellington Homing Pigeon\ Society has issued' its 1908-9 programme, which is of a vatied naturp. The old bird hampers are set .flown : to''sthrfc 'as under First namper, northern route, as far as Auckland, on Septembbr,v,lß j second, on north route. v to Parengarenga, on; October 12; third, on north route.jXEast Coast) as far as Gisborho,Ypn October; SO; fourth, southern route, as f«{as Stewart Island, on September 28. The youag ■ bird? hampers will bo "timed as First/;',asfar as Napier, on February 15\ second; ';as far as New Plymouth, on March, 5; thirdy as far/as Culverden (south route), on April 28. .The club offer a large number of prizes in addition to several trophies and specials.:"'Tho .club's champonship race, from Auckland,, is set down for November'l4j and will'tiikb the form of an.interval rac'3." ;

Tie', annual meeting of the Masterton Homing'.Pigeon Club was held on August 7, 2lr.';;'James Payton presiding over'-a- large attendance.... The annual report, which wiis adopted,;- congratulated niemoers upon tho success .attained during their initial season, and;.:; expressed • tho thanks ;of ' members' to donors:of trophies, etci The finances of the club.>are' in\a . very , healthy state for the commbncbment of the .next season, and with the substantial membership which the club now ', has the prospects of the future are brightwThe balance-sheet' showed a credit balance:of £2 2s;, and ari excess of assets over^,'liabilities of £1 13s. 9d. The election of bilicers resulted President, Mr. James Payton:; ■ Mr. F. Rosson; secretary; ;Mr. :H. W. Lett; treasurer, Mr. J. Bradbury ; committee, Messrs. W. Dowling, H. ;F.; Billington, and H. Wilton. It was resolved to hold weekly races during the season; ( ahd a committee was appointed to draft the^bgramme.' The season will- open with a race, ffjm the South, on October 1. The president Expressed ; his intention of presenting a* gold medal to tho-competitor-, securingthe most points during the coming season, and " wis . accorded a hearty vote or thanks. Mr. Hj; L. Pickett, the retiring secretary, was' accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his past'servioes..