MASTERTON HOMING PIGEON CLUB.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3153, 2 April 1909, Page 5

MASTERTON HOMING PIGEON CLUB.

YOUNG BIRD CHAMPIONSHIP. The Masterton Homing Club flew the most important young bird race of the season from Hastings yesterday, when the Championship or "Derby" was decided. The members of the Club have been looking forward to this event for some time, and the unsettled weather of the last day or two gave rise to some misgivings, but the splendid velocity registered by the placed birds would indicate that the conditions were favourable during the greater part o" the journey. Mr Egan, Secretary of the Hastings Homing Pigeon Club kindly took charge of the pigeons at Hastings, and liberated them at the appointed time (10 a.m.). The winner proved to be Mr H. F. Billingttn's red chequered hen "Optician," which negotiated the distance of 112 miles (airline) in the smart time of 2hrs 50mins. The points for this race count as follows:—First, 4; second, 3;Jthird 2; and fourth, 1. In addition the winner holds the handsome silver hot-water kettle for twelve months. This trophy has to be won twice in succession or three times at intervals. Next season the championhip will be flown from Blenheim, which will be a good test for young birds, as they generally show a reluctance to face a fly across the sea. Mr J. Syverston officiated as judge, and the following is the result:— Mr H. F. Billington's red chequered hen "Optician," velocity 1,141 yards per minute 1 Mr A. Miller's red chequered cock "Marconi," velocity 1,138 yards per minute 2 Mr J. Bradbury's red chequered cock "Royal Exchange," velocity 1,136 yards 3 Mr F. B. Rosson's blue chequered pied cock "Erin-go-Bragh," 1,135 yards per minute 4 Mr W. Dowling's bird was fifth, Mr W. Hoar's bird sixth, and Mr J. Dixon's bird seventh, all close up. Mr H. W. Lett's "Ironsides'" would probably have secured a place, but the judge was unable to acceptghis clock owing to it being handed in 15 minutes later than the time allowed by the rules, which require all , clocks to be handed in within thirty minutes after the bird is "clocked." The positions of the leading six lofts now stand as follows: —Mr J, Bradbury, 28 points; Mr W. Hoar, j25 points; Mr H. W. Lett, 24 'points; Mr A. Miller,23 points; Mr H. Wilton, 15 points; Mr H. F. Billington, 13 points. ' The following races have yet to be decided: Palmerston North, Feilding and Marton (for hen birds only); after which the Ladies' Bracelet will be flown from Palmerston North. The date for this event will probably be the first Thursday in May, and already the demand from ladies for birds promises to exceedthe supply*