PIGEON FLYING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5736, 2 December 1896, Page 1

PIGEON FLYING.

An interesting comparison of the velocity attained in flying matches in New South Wales and Victoria respectively is made by the Australian Poultry and Dog Gazette. The figures given are for eight races in each colony, and we add for comparison the Christchurch Flying Club's records for the whole of last season's matches : — NEW SOUTH' WALES. j

Referring to the Australian figures, the Gazette says: — "It -will be seen that the average velocity for New South Wales is 1296 yds per minute, whilst the Victorian time is only 996 yds per minute. We could have picked a better race for New South. Wales, with a velocity of 1552 yds for 125 miles, but preferred to take an average lot of races. What is the reason that so much difference exists? Some say it is 1 because of the wind, b\it that cannot be the sole cause, as anyone who has lived in , New Soixth Wales knows that the wind can blow from any quarter there as here ; ' therefore it must either be training, condi--1 tion or quality of the birds. We are quite > aware that races have been won m Victoria with New South Wales stock, but [ credit has not always been given to the right breeder." On the part of New Zealand— or rather of Canterbury — it must be confessed that, » with an average of 1145 yds, we also are ; beaten by New South Wales, though i we are considerably ahead of Vie- ( toria. Our fliers, however, have been at a great disadvantage through stormy weather and adverse winds, only for one • fly during the whole of last season having • the wind and weather favourable. Amongst s the Christchurch Club's records are Cul- ; verden 1683 yds, Waikari 1746 yds, Washdyke 1533 yds, Oamaru 1470 yds, and others at intervening velocities. This season, in the two matches flown from Invercargill i and Oamaru, both against head winds, the I velocity of the winners was 1179 yds (366 , miles) and 1061 yds (151 miles) respectively.

miles. Velocity. Milligan 57 "" 1253 Buudonoon 73 1205 Marulan 87 126* Goulburn 103 1275 Gunning ... 123 1476 Biualong 155 1111 Cootanmndra 190 1319 WaggftWugga 233 1465 VICTORIA. Avenel... ~ Z Z 64 1255 Heyfield 98 ' 1110 Benalla 102 709 Nar Nar Goon 35 978 Wodonga 156 981 Diirmun 60 716 WaggaWagga 226 1361 Stratford 114 861 NEW ZEALAND. Dunedin Z. ~. ZJ~' 227 9472 Culverden | 64 938 Bangitata 72 1138 Invercargill 366 976 Oamaru 151 1394 Bangiora 17 1266 Oulverden 66 875 Hinds 64 1435 Wasbdyke 95 1110 Hinds 64 1176 Washdyke 86 1353 Timarn 97 Jl6l Oainaru 150 1181 Culveiden 64 1079