PIGEON FLYING

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXVI, Issue 7903, 17 September 1929, Page 2

PIGEON FLYING

TO BE RESUSCITATED IN WAIHI FORMATION OF NEW CLUB MUCH ENTHUSIASM SHOWN A meeting, convened by Mr R. Turner and having for its object the formation of a Pigeon Flying Club in Waihi, was held in the reading room of the Miners’ Hall on Thursday evening. Mr C. Hewson, who was appointed to the chair, explained that he had had no previous experience of pigeon flying clubs and would look to those present for some guidance. In the meantime he assumed it was the

wish of the meeting to form a club and he would therefore formally move that a Waihi Pigeon Flying Club be formed. This found a seconder in Mr R. Farrands and the motion on being put to the meeting was - carried unanimously. Mr C. B. Johnson then gave those preesnt the benefit of his experience of pigeon flying clubs in Auckland and elsewhere. In the early days of the sport, he said, an ordinary clock was used in connection with pigeon racing, but since then improvements had been introduced and to-day the most up-to-date device in clocks was used by clubs. In this connection he would suggest that the club should institute inquiries as it was more than likely that some clubs would have discarded clocks which could be purchased at a very reasonable figure, and, for the time being, would serve the requirements of the Waihi club. The secretary might also write to other clubs for general information on the subject of pigeon flying. He (the speaker) would be prepared to make a pigeon box which would serve as a pattern from which members could make their own boxes. In concluding Mr Johnson advocated that the word racing should be substituted for flying in the club’s title for the reason that there was a possibility of confusing pigeon flying with air flying. He had had an experience of some confusion arising out of a similar title being taken for air flights. Mr Johnson’s closing suggestion met with unanimous approval and the title was altered to the Waihi Pigeon Racing Club.

A FASCINATING SPORT The question of the appointment of a secretary was then raised, and after Messrs Johnson and W. Weeks —both of whom had had previous experience in the sport— had expressed regret at their inability to take office, Mr Farrands was elected secretary pro tern. Mr Weeks said that though he had not acted in an official capacity to pigeon racing clubs, he had in the past followed the sport of pigeon flying fairly closely, in Waihi many years ago when there was a homing pigeon club, also in Auckland, Wanganui and other towns, and could tell the meeting that it was one of the most fascinating sports he had been associated with. To his mind it was the greatest sport in the world, and was better than horse racing. “You know you are getting a run for your money,” interjected Mr Johnson.

Continuing, Mr Weeks said that while he had no desire to take office he would support and give e,very possible asistance to those taking office To ensure the success of the club members, and particularly those with competing birds, would have to give their wholehearted support to the chairman and secretary. His association with various sporting clubs showed how necessary it was for members to do more than merely enter their birds for the competitions. Their duties, if they were to be the right kind of members, did not end there. They must identify themselves with the general business of the club and assist the officers in every way possible.

MEMBERS’ SUBSCRIPTIONS In the course of a discussion as to the amount the annual subscription should be fixed at Mr Johnson pointed out thaj; it would be unwise to make it too high. He had in his mind ss, but was afraid that might be too low to meet the financial obligations of the club. He would therefore move, pro forma, that the subscription be 10s. Mr Weeks did not think that the expenses involved in running the club would be very great and considered that a membership of 7s 6d would suffice, and this, as an amendment, was seconded by Mr Farrands and carried.

With regard to the appointment of a committee the chairman thought that as this was a preliminary meeting it would perhaps be desirable to leave the election of the executive stand over until the next meeting and suggested that the election of other officers be proceeded with. The views of the chairman found general favour and the following appointments were then made:—Patron, Mr A. M. Samuel, M.P.; president, Mr W. Elleringtou; vice-presidents, the Mayor (Mr W. M. Wallnutt), Messrs H. W. Hopkins, W. Turner, F.‘‘ J. Potter, G. M. Lorimer, E. A. McLeay, A. H. Clark, W. E. Busch, W. J. Brown, J. Talbot, E. H. Payze, C. Burt and S. N. Miller.

It was resolved that the secretary write to the judge of the pigeon section (Mr N. Hansom) at the Auckland Winter Exhibition, and the secretary of the Auckland Pigeon Flying Club for information relative to rules governing flying clubs.

A vote of thanks to Messrs Weeks and Johnson for the information they had given concluded the business.