MASTERTON HOMING PIGEON CLUB.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9672, 21 December 1909, Page 5

MASTERTON HOMING PIGEON CLUB.

The Masterton Homing Pigeon Club flew a race from Dunedin, 440 miles airline, four lofts being represented by seven birds. In addition to the Masterton birds the hamper contained fi"e from the New Plymouth Flying Club. The birds were to be liberated" at four a.m. on Saturday. Owing to a delay in transit it was found advisable to hold them until Sunday. Mr W. Esquilant, a prominent Dunedin fancier, kindly took charge of the pigeons on arrival, and after carifig for them liberated them punctually to time on Sunday morning. None of the birds succeeded in reaching home on the day of liberation, but Mr J. Dixon's "Timothy" arrived early on Monday, clocking in at 8 a.m. This was the only bird to . arrive home before twelve o'clock, and the performance of this bird, which is only a yearling, ranks with the best in New Zealand. Mr J. Bradbury's "Clarissa." which won the Timaru race a fortnight pre-; vious, "clocked in" shortly aftec three p.m., and secured second place. The time limit does not expire until 8 o'clock this morning, so it is possible that third and fourth places will still be filled. No word has yet been received from New Plymouth with the race from Dunedin to that town, but as ifefe distance the birds would have to travel's about 140 roileß more than the Masterton Dirds, there is still time for a good performance to be put up. So iaf.no. bird nas ever accomplished the journey from Dunedin to New Plymouth.