A LONG-DISTANCE PIGEON RACE. WELLINGTON TO DUNEDIN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2651, 4 January 1905, Page 59

A LONG-DISTANCE PIGEON RACE. WELLINGTON TO DUNEDIN.

The Dunedm Homing Pigeon Club flew | off on -Christmas Day the longest race yet held under its auspices — namely, from Wellington to Dunedm. Fifteen of the bestperformed birds took part in the race, which had been lookecf forward to with great interest. The winner turned up in Master A. Short's Young -86, which was the only bird to reach its loft on the day of liberation. The time occupied was 13hr 40min, which, under the circumstances, is an excellent performance. iSinoe then i three other birds have reached their [ owners' lofts — namely, Mr Holmes's Syl- j vester,^ Messrs Finnegan and Torrie's Fireworks," and Mr Patterson's Goldsmith. Young 86 is a third season's bird, and is from Mr J. G. Macdonald's strain by Pilot Auster. . This strain has proved one of the most successful of any in Dunedin. All the ! birds that have so far reached their lofts ] are from this strain. They have all proved j themselves true homers, and have been i placed in most of the important races of the season. The win of Master A. Short's bird was a popular one, and gave general satisfaction, the young owner being warmly congratulated on the result. Unfortunately the Telegraph Office' was not open, all day, and the weather conditions which had to be contended with oould jiot be accurately ascertained.