HOMING PIGEON NOTES

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16330, 20 January 1921, Page 3

HOMING PIGEON NOTES

(By

"MOUNTAINEER.")

“ Mountaineer ” would be pleased to ra< caive items of interest for this column. Address letters to " Mountaineer,” care of Canterbury Flying Club, Manchester S treat

The Canterbury Pigeon Flying Club flew a race from Woodville. Sixtyeight birds were sent, divided amongst fifteen owners. The birds were liberated by the s»tationmaster at 8.59 a.m., in fine weather and a favourable wind, which enabled them to put up good times. The winner turned up to be J. O’Connell's Tni, which flew the distance of 253 miles 835 yards air-ltn© in (3hrs.24min 25sec. The following is the velocity recorded by each owner's birds:—J. O’Oonnell's Tui. 1298yds per min; F- Kingsford’s Prodan, 1287vds; G. Bilcliff's No. 377. 1293yds; H- Duffiekl’s Unrung, 1292yds; H. Pearce's No. 243, 1291yds; F/ Wilson’s No. 58, 12S6yds; G. Robertson's No. 123. 1283 yds; D. Dore's No. 86, 1272vds; F. Smith’s Lad a* Black. 1269ycfe; AA~ Terry’s Oswich. 1251yds; T. No. 227, 1204vds; W. Cummings?* Multiplication. 1177yds; E. OrbeJTs No. 223. 1084yds; Sandford and Rhodes * No. 520, 935vds.

It is greatly to lie regretted that non** of the birds sent to Russell readied home in race time. This is hard to account for, as all the birds entered bad previously flown from Auckland. and were sent away in ihc best of condition. The 523 mile fly from East Cape va« a great success, tho majority of the owners timing in before trie close of the race. Four owners—Messrs Wilson, Robinson. Wood house and Heslop —were timed in three and a half hour* ahead of the next competitor. The winner. Afr 1". D. Wilson, is generally to the fore in long distance races. This is the second 500 mils race that he has won this season, having previously won first from Auckland. The club trophy which is awarded to this race, and lias to b© won twice in succession, now becomes the property of Mr AYilson. he having won this race last yea I believe this is the first, occasion ‘on which on© of the club's trophies has been won outright. Air George Robinson is to be congratulated on. securing second place. His bird put up a fine performance, more especially as this is the second time it has flown the Cape tin's season. This fancier has been flying veri consistently of late, and his prospects for next season’s Jong distance races look rosy-. .Messrs Woodhousc Bros, secured third place with their blue hen Faithful, the winner of the first East Cape race. This hen has flown the distance about six times, being timed in on four different occasions. The fact of her being in tho prize money twice in one season alone stamps her as a good one. I understand her owners win the special for the best average in East Cape raees. Air. J. Heslop. who lias been very consistent in the long distance races, deserved lietter luck. The easterly wind blowing at th© time the. bird* honied just about accounted for his being out of the prize money. Air D. Doro. although not in th© prize money, ha? been the most consistent member of the O.F.C. in the 500 mile flies, lie being th© only member to time in in the two Auckland and East Cape races. Air F. Kingsford has returned from Auckland, and no doubt b© will give his impressions of the fancy up north for publication in this column. Tli© United Pigeon Fanciers* Club will hold a show for any variety of young bird next Wednesday evening. Mr J. W. Green has been asked to judge. Th© season is now finished for the old bird races. The young birds’ fixtures will start in about a month's time. Alombers aro bus.'.- getting them ready, amd judging by tl -‘ enthusiasm shown T anticipate some very fine-races.. Members are reminded that fixtures for the coming young bird races are published in this column. Tn convcrs.it ion with several I prominent enthusiasts. T gather that some of them think that the time has arrived to make an effort to increase the prize money in the long distance 'races. This would encourage members to train valuable birds to fly frequently in this class of race