HOMING NOTES. '

Otago Witness, Issue 2727, 20 June 1906, Page 57

HOMING NOTES. '

(By Mausta Mealt.)

The Dunedin Hoping Pigeon Club flew off a race from Timaru last Saturday for - trophies presented by Mr \V. J. Tatters-* field. The distance (air-line) is about 112 miles, and the result was: — M. Holmes'a Avon Pearl (time 3hr "~2B£min, velocity 943 yds), 1 ; B. J. Finnega,n's Bonne ' Ami (time 3hr 29min, velocity 937 yds), 2; J. Stone's Dunrobin (3hr 33£min, velocity 927yd9), 3; J. Cox's King Dick (time, . 3hr 28min, velocity ' 923 yds), 4. W. Esqui- . lant, 3hr 24min," 921 yds; H. Niven, r3hr 32mm, 914 yd s; M. Carruthers, 3hr 36mih, '. 906 yds; H. Short, 3hr "34min, 903 yd s ;' M. Talboys, 3hr 39min,' 891 yds y F. D. Gibson, 3hr 40min, 880 yds; C. Abernethy, 3hr , 40mih, 875 yds; J. C. Short, *3hx 44m1n,' 863 yds; R. Douglas, 3hr 45min, 860 yds' 2ft; / W. J. Tattersfield, 3hi 44min, 860y3s' lft; G. Dryden, 3hr 46min; 852 yds; E. J. Reevea, 3hr 47min, 851 yds; F. Loughlin, 3hr 58min, 3dovds.

.The winner, Avon Pearl, was bred by Mr Holmes,- sire bred by F. D. Wilson (Christchurch) from his imported Scotch birds. The dam of Avon Pearl is 'by Mons. Gerard and Grannie.

Bonne Ami, the second bird, was bred by James Mason (Whangarei), sire and dam his imported Bonamis from E. H. Crow (Batley, Yorkshire, England). Dunrobin. bred by his owner from a pair of birds imported by Walter Tattersfield from Mons. Chas. Duerinck (Belgium). Mr Cox's King Dick was bred by Mr Carmthers,' Richards's (Palmerston North) strain.

The liberator, Mr H. Grimes, of the postal staff, Timaru, carried out his duties exceedingly well. There were seven hampers containing 129 pigeons. He had the hampers conveyed to the Post Office, where the birds were watered and well cared for, and punctually at 11.15 a.m. the hampers were opened at once by willing assistants, and in tho presence of over 200 onlookers the birds rose together. At Timaru the weather was perfect, but from Oamaru south the birds had a strong sou'wester to fly which accounts, for the low velocities recorded.

The entries are a record for the Dunedin Club, and a great compliment to tho popular secretary. Mr Tattersfield, as ihe race was got up by him' really as a benefit to the club, and the members deserve' thanks for responding by entering as many birds as each loft could conveniently race.

The Dunedin Fanciers' Club's show race from Ashburton, open to all flyers within a radius of 12 miles from the Dunedin Pest Office, will be flown on June 30. At the Christchurch Poultry, Pigeon, and Canary Club's annual exhibition last week, Mr B. J. Finnegan and Mr F D. Gibson had exhibits, and, considering tho strong competition, were very successful. Mr Finnegan's Red Gauntlet was first in Class 316, cock, certified to have flown 400 miles, eight entries. In the 300 miles class he was unplaced. In the 200 miles class the hen Wintie was first in 15 entries. In the 50 miles class Don Jose was second and Master Wintie third. In the Flying Homers' Teams' Class, teams to consist of four birds and to be judged en the aggregate merit possessed by them as a team, there were six entries. Mr Finnegan won this with Jean Gerardy, Mons. Gran, Mons. Frere, and Mt. Blanc, The three first-named cocks are by Mons. Gerard and Grannie.

Mr F. _D. Gibson was represented in the 200 mile class hens, for which he received an h.c. for Lady Gerard ; 15 entries. In 200 miles class, cocks, Mr Gibson's bird was unsuccessful In the 100 miles class there were nine entries, Mr Gibson being third and h.c. with two nominations. In 50 mile class unplaced. Teams' class Mr Gibson was third witb Blue Blood and bis three sons. Tho local fanciers arc quite satisfied they, can bold their own on the road with our northern flyers, but they did not expect so much surcess in the show pen against olHci 1 and more pxporiene«»d homing onthusiasls as (ho Canterbury boy*

The lar^e number of 2.4 woilwiif: !.< ".en* koip exhibited nt t'io t.'ht ><fr!ij!rch ■ Low. ami 266 f.mo niL'oons which is a iceorcl for tl-e co!oi-,\.