HOMING NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2955, 2 November 1910, Page 62

HOMING NOTES.

By Master Grooter.

' The final results of tko local club's race from Wellington, held on Saturday, 22nd ult., were as follow: — A. E. Hunt's blue chequered hen Blue Bonnet, 387 miles 484 yard* in I2hr 12|min, a velocity of 930 i yards per tninuto ... •"• ••• 1 Mr Yates's bird, 335 miles 397 yards in i 12hr 21im.:n, a velocity of 914 2-3 yards 2 Mr A. Turnbull's Leith M., 384 miles 1010 yards in 13hrs 28min, a velocity of 837 2-3 yards rer minute 3 Mr R. A. Umbers's red ch. cock, 384 miles 1095 vards in 13hra 57min, a velocity of 808? yards 4 Mr A. Stone's Combine George, 387 miles 576 yards in 14hr 22min, a velocity of 790? yards r-er minute ... ... 5 These were the only clocks handed in up to the time of closing' of the race. Mr J. Knowles's Hazel Dell is the only bird reported since. The following members also competed :—Messrs Veitch, Rr;cve, Esquilant, Niven, Clarke, and Hutching. So far they have not been able to report the return of their birds. When such birds as T. Veiteh's Baldwin II a_nd E. J. Reeves's Jarrah do not put in an appearance some excuse may be found for the others, as both these birds have flown Napier and crossed Wellington at least half a dozen times. Last Saturday (he club held .a race from Ainberioy witii very favourable weather conditions. One hundred an<s twenty-six birds competed, representing 19 lofts. They were liberated by the stationmaster at 10.39 a.m.. and the following are the results:—• Mr W. Niven's J.H. proved the champion ■ of the day. flying 219 miles 360 yards in j 4hrs 45imin, a velocity of 1351 1-5 S yards per minute ,1

Mr T. Veiteh's Good Mealy, time 4hr 49smin, a velocity of 1346 1-3 yards - per minute 2 Mr A. Tumbull's Tutaneki. time 4hr . 46fmin, a velocity of 1341 A yards per minute- 3 Mi J. Riach's Red Star, time 4hr 43jmin, a velocity of 1335 2-3 yards per minute 4 Mr A. E. Hunt's Scotch Mist, time 4hr 53min, a velocity of 1329 yards per minute 5 Mr P. Clark's Charlie B. 11, time 4hr 525 min, a velocity of 1328 yards per minute 6 Mr W. Niven's J.H. was the winner of the nrevious Saturday?,* race, and his breeding was in last week's notes. Mr Niven is to be congratulated on the consistent way his birds are working. He is now well on the way of winning the club's aspgregate trophy again this year. Mr A. Turnbull is putting up a_ good fight for the honour, having flown third in nearly every race this season. Had he a better position in the town I think he would be found a hard nut to crack. Mr P. Clark h determined to be amongst the winners, and has com© to the conclusion that position plays a great part in flock raciDg. He is now loosing for a desirable- house in South Duhedm, and there is absolutely no doubt that ;be has struct a good idea this time. Next Saturday the club make a start with the south races, beginning with a pen race from Gore. I understand Mrs Pigeon, of that town, will be asked to liberate the birds as in past races, from there. The birds, will be penned on Thursday evening. The club- also fly Palrnerston North the same day, the birds being penned on Tuesday "evening .to go by Wednesday's boat. It is to be hoped they will get a rood day, as it will be some of these birds that I hope to see fly Auckland this season. Since writing these notes I have been informed of Mr Niven's bird arriving from the Wellington race on Monday, after being eight days out.