HOMING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 229, 2 November 1909, Page 3

HOMING.

NEW m-UOl'TIl EAST C'Ll'B. The New Plymouth East Flying Club held their first race over the straits from Blenheim, a distance of 23.5 miles, yesterday. The birds were sent down last week, but owing to the unfavorable weather prevailing tlicy were held over until yesterday morning, when the weather showed signs of improvement. Mr. Sowman, who had charge of tiie birds, liberated them at 0 a.m. A message received later stated: "Heavy ram commenced to fall about 9 o'clock, aad stiH continues," and as rain fell cira-

tinuously in New Plymouth, combined with a strong northerly wind blowing, the birds must have had a most trying time, and members were in doubt about any birds homing. However, Mr. W, H. Boulton's birds were keen on getting through, and homed at 1.40 p.m., putting up an excellent performance under existing circumstances. The following was the result: —Ist, W. H. Boultons

"Alpine," 7hrs. 49min.; 2nd, A. Lovegrove's "Nigger," Olirs. 2min.; 3rd, H. J. Moverley's "Trafalgar," lOhrs'. 38 min.

The next race will take place from Aramoho on Thursday next, second hamper birds competing.

A homer pigeon engaged in the race promoted by the Oonadatta. Homing Club recently, flew from " Oona" (which is the terminus of the railway in the centre of South Australia, with one train per fortnight) to Hindmarsh (a suburb of Adelaide, a distance of 544 miles 1,034 yards, in 71irs. 49min. 40 see., an average of a bit over a mile and lan eighth per minute—a world's record.