HOMING PIGEON CLUB

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10461, 27 October 1911, Page 5

HOMING PIGEON CLUB

AUCKLAND RACE.

The Masterton Homing Pigeon Club flew a very successful race from, Auckland yesterday, forty birds, representing fourteen lofts, competing. The pigeons were liberated at 8 a.m., and the vanguard reached their homes at shortly after two p.m;, thus accomplishing the journey of 300 miles, airline, in slightly over six hours, which is a record for the Club. Mr W. Drake's loft supplied the winner in v "Pride of Petone," with the placed birds in close proximity. The following is the result:—

Mr W. Drake's "Pride of Pet-

One," 1889 yds per min. 1( Mr W. Hoar's "Groldie," 1387 yds. per minute 2 Mr A. Miller's "Surveyor,"

1384-Jyds per min. Mr J. Dixon's "Ginger Ale," 1377£ yds per min. Mr W. Dowling's "Eyeglass," 1377 yds per min.

Eighteen lofts clocked in

A remarkable thing about the winning and placed birds is the number that wore bred in the loft of Mr J. J. Abrahall, of Petone, the first, second and fourth place winners being supplied .by this ; breeder. This, year the dub has divided the old bird races into four sections, the North and South races- being each 'subdivided into two, termed No's 1 and .No's 2 hampers. In the No. 1 hampers in either direction only those birds that have previously Sown 200 miles or over are allowed to compete, and the races provided for them are the longest attempted by the Club, the limit this year ,being Peranga Ranga (460 miles airline) on the North, and Invereftrgill (526 miles airline) on the South. The above race was for No. 1 North ibirds, the No. 1 South Virds being fit present on their way to Timaru where they will be liberated at 6 a.m. to-morrow (Saturday). The No. 2 North birds will be hampered on Monday night for the Fi'ankton .Tmietion race to take place on Thursday next.