HOMING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 126, 15 October 1912, Page 2

HOMING.

During the last week or so tlie New Plymouth East Flying Club have successfully carried out three additional races old birds, the principal event, in which considerably more than usual interest was evinced, being the annual flock race from Christehurch, a distance of 405 miles, flown on Saturday last. The birds participating, thirty in number, representing nine lofts, were forwarded to the care of Mr., P. Kingston!, secretary of the Chrislchurch Homing Society, who kindly attended to anil liberated the birds on Saturday morning, wiring: "Birds away well at 5.55 a.m.; sky patchy; south-west wind." Somewhat different conditions prevailed at this end, and owing to the strong north-westerly wind and occasional heavy showers, some of the members were inclined to doubt the capabilities of the birds to home on the day. However, six were equal to the occasion and came into view at 5.35, proving to be birds of W. Bransgrove (4), H. J. Moverley and P. R. James. The result of trapping and timing was as follows—H. Moverley's "Tosca," 11 hours 40min, 1; W. Bransgrove's "Overland," 11 hours 40 min. 45 sec, 2; P. R. James' "Victory," 11 hours 42 1 / a min., 3. W. Bansgrove's other birds on home on the day were Nos. 553, i 103!) and 23. The following morning four other birds homed. They were It. Davy's Xo. 144 and W. Gleeson's No. 1037 (who take fourth and fifth places respectively), F. R. James' No. 676 and H. J. Moverley's Xo. 64. The remaining birds will probably home during the next few days. The velocity achieved was 1183 yards per minute. 'The club desires to thank Messrs J. Arthur, I. Bullot, E. A. Connolly, S. Robottom, G. Stewart, C. Whitco'mbc, W. Harding, L. Whitakcr and others who generously assisted towards the prizes for the Christchurch race, also„'Mr. F. Kingsford, of Christehurch, for receiving and liberating the birds.