HOMING NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2815, 26 February 1908, Page 64

HOMING NOTES.

Bt Matjsta *"mialt.

"Pigeon fanciers will regret to hear- of the ' death, in the Invercargill Hospital last Thursday, of Mr H. A. Trow, one of the . oldest and most enthusiastic members of Jfhe Inveroargill Homing Society, who owned K>me very good birds during his time. The amount of interest taken throughout the Dominion and the Australian States in the doings of our birds is astonishing, especially when & good performance is recorded. Mir "Finnegan has handed me several letters of congratulation he has re- . oeived from fanoiers from Auckland to InTeroargill, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Hofc*rfc. Mr R. Edwards, J.P., of Palmerston North, writes: — "Congratulations on birds' Considering havingf to cross Btraits, equal to tne best of records." "Wotaid> tike, you to desoribe birds: Type, age, i>edigree, and performances." Mr S. M. Evans, Jamestown, Adelaide, writes: — "I *m really delighted to learn of the brilliant performances of your now-justly •famous pigeons, through Jh© medium of the Otego Withee*. in the Napier to .Dunedin race, and offer you my warmest congratulations on your success. It is- undeniably' one of the very beet records that I know Of, and one I venture to say that will never be 'equalled or beaten out here. Wishing you the ownership of many more recordbreakers." Mr W. Gordon Wood, of the Mercury office, Hobart, Tasmania, writes: — 'TJpon reading this letter you will at once notice that I am an absolute stranger to you. My reason for writing is partly on business, but on the other hand to congratulate you on the success of your homing pigeons. Being employed at the printing establishment, I am priviledged to see all New Zealand papers, and as I keep and race pigeons I naturally read with interest the column devoted to "Homina£ and one cannot help noticing x how suapßsful you have been. Those three WrdT* thai**- were photographed are splendid specimens of ~ the racer and deserve the highest praise. I am secretary to the largest homing society in Hobart— viz., West Hobart Homing Society, and I have placed the photographs of your birds in our olubroom, and they are greatly admired by all members. I have had an inclination for some time- past to send to you and ascertain the price of some of your birds. Our farthest racing point is Scottsdale. exactly 130 miles air-line front. Hobart, and it takes our birds eomewher© about four hours to complete- the journey in good weather. I think this is rather clow. Most of the racing done here is short, therefore "it does not tend to improve pigeon-racing. The- distances are : 10, 18, 25, 40, 60, 72, 87, 92, and 100 miles, very seldom Jthey go beyond the last-mentioned figures^ but I believe in long-distance flying, and' I . *rish to procure 6ome good blood. The furthest distance on land ie 200 miles airline, when we have to take to sea, which has proved a failure two years in succession. The distance triegl was Goose Island, 220 tnilea from Hobart, in 1906. Forty were Sent; one homed \n nine days, two homed fe 21 days, and the rest were lost. In

1907, 32 were sent; two homed in five days; rest were lost. This is disastrous. I have bought recently two birds that were im- ■ ported from T. W. ThorQughgood, Liverpool, whose birds are noted for lo'ng-dis-tanoe flying, and have bred this season four young ones. I would like to exchange a pair with you so as you could give them a 'fair test -and see really what they are ' made of. 'Also, kindly forward a price list of your birds." Space will not permit | me publishing any more. ' Mr Gam Talboys, a member of the Dunedin Homing Club, who is now in Cromwell, was op a flying visit to Dunedin last week to see his parents. He mieees the pigeons, ctncl t3ie excitement of «- 1 fgoocl race. His loft ie intact, but Rob. finds it difficult studying and acting as ouetodian. . i Messrs Fred Moore and George Bain, of Winton, were v up at the races. Mr Moore took back with him a very fine young red-chequer cook from Mr Finnegan's loft. The Winton Club's young bird *ace from Kingston was held last Thursday, 52 | piareons competed, and Mr Ernie Rains'e ! red-chequer hen r Belle Vue, was the win- , ncr, flying 50 miles in lhr smin. Her sire, j Red Gauntlet 11, by Red Gauntlet ex i Ginette; Red Gauntlet,- by Lord Logan ex Grannie ; Ginette by Jean Gerardy ex Lady Didcot, and sister of Apres Moi. The dam of Belle Vue is by Blue Boy ex Clutter. The North Otago Pigeon- Flying Club held its Ethelton race (205 mjles . air-line) t last Thursday. The birds were liberated j at 9 a.m., and owing to the strong t north wind they put up a fast time, and were unfortunately home at 12.30, and thus the Taoe was practically between £rst and second, as they were the only members at home when their bif-ds arrived. The winner receives Mr Jas. Bee's trophy. The club's thanks are due to the statiomrraster for liberating, and to Mr W. Gordon for acting es timekeeper. Results: — Mr C. Ec'cl^s' Starshoot, velocity 1718 yds per minute • • ""■ , Mr W. Gray's Starlight,, velocity 1712 yds | per minute • •• •• 2 i Messrs F. Couper, B. Valpy, T. Cooney, R. Brooker, J. Robertson, and A. Mamton were unlucky in not being at home when the birds arrived, and therefore stood no chance of winning. The following is the position of the members of the ""North Otago Pigeon Flying Club in points at the conclusion of the 14 old-bird races, for the medal presented by Mr J. E. Hood for most points for the whole season. There are still the young bird racea, several any ( age races, and the Poultry Show Race to be flown, so the underneath positions may yet be considerably altered: — ptft B. Valpy, 4 firsts, 2 seconds, 1 third •• 17 J. Robertson, 2 firsts, 2 seconds, 5 thirds 15 F. Couper, 8 firsts, 2 seconds, 2 thirds .» Iff C. Eccfes, 3 firsts, 1 third .. ' 10 J. and E. Baker, 1 first, 3 seconds . . . . 9 ] A Manton, 2 seconds and an equal second 5§ J. Meikle, 1 first .. „ .. 3 Thos. G. Cooney, 1 second, 1 third .. \r 8 J. James, 1 equal second, 1 third .. - .. 2J R. Brooker, 2 thirds •• 2 W. Gray, 1 second 2 Several other members have flown in one or *wo races without being placed. - I Th* following is the North Otago Pigeon Flying Club's schedule of (young bird races: — St. Andrews, 13 ' miles airline (interval) — 19th March. Seacliff, 46 miles, airline (flock)— 26th March. Hinds, 85 miles airline (interval)— 2nd April. Mosgiel, 67 miles airline (flock)— Bth April. " Rakaia, 108 miles airline (floek)^l6th April. Balclutba, 101 miles airline (interval)— 23rd April.