MESSAGES BY PIGEON

Hokitika Guardian, 20 August 1929, Page 7

MESSAGES BY PIGEON

USE IN AVIATION SERVICE AUCKLAND, August 16. Racing pigeons lofts are being established at all aviation basis in New Zealand to ensure a perfect system of communication with aeroplanes and seaplanes wherever tney may he travelling. A number of birds are already installed at Hobsonville aerodrome and are being trained with the assistance of i-lie Auckland Racing Pigeon Club. Each machine will carry a basket of birds to be released at given points during flights or used in cases of emergency for transmission of messages. By this means each pilot will keep in touch with liis base in a long trip involving calls. At the various aerodromes fresh lots of birds will he picked up and freed to report to the nearest base. Thus a valuable relay service will be maintained by a short and rapid flight of birds reporting aeroplane movements or other official information. The value of pigeons to aviation was clearly illustrated during the war period when a machine belonging to the flying school of >.a.lsh Bros., at Kohimarama, broke down outside Hokianga Heads. The Boman Catholic Bishop of Auckland (Dr. Cleary) was a passenger, and the pilot was Captain W. Bolt, who fortunately had with him a pigeon from the lift at the Flying .School. The Bishop wrote a message explainng that the machine was down through the breaking of a valve. The note was tied to the pigeon’s leg and the mishap was promptly known in the city. The disabled seaplane was towed ashore and repairs were effected. On another occasion Captain Bolt sent a message by a pigeon from Wellington. and air line of 305 miles, to Auckland.