HOMING-NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2721, 9 May 1906, Page 53

HOMING-NOTES.

(By Matjsta Mealt.>

The Timaru Club flew its Derby Race , from Amberjey, air-line distance 122 mile 3, The following- was the result:— J. J. Berry's Maritime, velocity 1402 yds, 1; A. Burford's bird, 1176£ yds, 2; J. Toralinson's bird, 1176 l-3yds,- 3; C. Tomlinson's bird, > 1172 yds, 4. The winner flew the distance ' in 2hr 33imin. She was bred by her owner, her dam (La Belle" Maritime) being imported from Edmondson's loft, Melbourne, ' at the end of last season. The sire of Mr .' Berry's winnei is Good Red, sire of Lord : Delmotte Jurion and Delrootte, bred by j Mons. Bourgeois, Belgivm. The dam of Good Red is Lady Jurion. Mr Berry's winner is half-sister to Mr Finnegan's Belle Maritime, winner of the Dunedin Derby last year. Both winners are almost pure Jurions, a strain we have too few x>f in this colony.

During the "off"' season, when no training or racing is going on, is a very _ good time to visit the lofts of your friend*. Generally speaking, one is able to pick up a few 'wrinkles during a round of visits, even from those who may have had less experience than ourselves. One fancier may hit upon some improvement iv his trap, another in his food hoppers or other appliance, which one might never know anything about unless by paying a personal visit to bis or their lofts. An hour's chat comparing notes cannct help but be of mutual benefit to all fanciers, besides strengthening the friendship that always exists between tru-3 fanciers. Young fanciers can learn much by visiting the lorts of experienced flyer 3, the latter Being always pleased to assist the novice, provided the novice is modest and doesn't make the mistake, as some axe apt to do, of trying to teach his elders. .Young fanciers should be satisfied with visiting the older hands at the sport occasionally. Don't make a practice of running round t,o the lofts everjr Sunday, or you will soon become a nuisance, and receive the "cold shoulder," or be told at once that you are not wanted. Always ask if it will be convienient to pay ? visit, and never go unless you hare something to consult your host about ; then ■when you go, learn all you can.