PIGEON SERVICE

Evening Star, Issue 24424, 9 February 1943, Page 4

PIGEON SERVICE

EXTENSIVE USE EY ARMY TRAINING AND BREEDING IN OTAGO Although all the latest and most scientific methods of communications are used by armies of to-day, que of the oldest 'forms of sending messages over long distances is still extensively resorted to. This is the pigeon service which, as a means of sending vital messages swiftly and safely .in _emergency, has been invaluable, both in this war and in the Great War, when pigeons were used on a scale not pre T viously attempted. In this country the New Zealand Corps of Signals" is breeding its own birds, and for the past seven months in a section of the local fortress area the development of this ' side of communications has been going ahead steadily. The ' Star ' to-day paid a visit to the only two lofts in the area, and was given an insight into the significance attached to the pigeon service. Generally this service is referred to as carrier pigeon service, but the term is wrong, for carriers are a show breed of pigeons. The birds used for carrying messages are homing pigeons, and should be known as such.

I The lofts in this area comprise a breeding loft and a flying loft. Both ' have been specially constructed on model lines in accordance with the breed and habits of the birds, by mem- |. bers of the Signal Corps, and the birds | are in charge of Lance-corporal A. . Fraser, who is known as the loftman. I Corporal Fraser in private life was a i very well known pigeon fancier, with a I knowledge second to none, and the i birds coiuci not be in better hands. The lofts lie well to the sun, and are in ■a delightfully sheltered and ■ secluded i site. . There are about 150 flying '.pigeons there at the present time, .; mostly, from championship stock;, some, .indeed, are> descended from the New ' Zealand champion which set up a world record by flying over 700 miles in 15J hours. The Army has been greatly •indebted to local fanciers, who have unselfishly lent vaulable birds for breeding, and their generosity has no doubt been aided by the respect they have for Corporal .Eraser's knowledge. ~.. .., ; ; Both the flying loft and the breeding' loft—in which were to be seen pigeons at almost,, every stage from a helpless yellow mass of a few hours' existence*' —are soundly constructed, and with a very fine layout. They are cleaned and washed daily. The pigeons, are given two half-hour flights each day, and when the 30-minute spells end the birds return to the lofts to the minute, ■as. if they had timepieces to guide, them. An electrical system connects the flyi.'.j loft with the loftman's hut,