THE REMARKABLE DOG METHVEN

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 147, 23 June 1934, Page 25

THE REMARKABLE DOG METHVEN

Two years ago considerable interest was aroused throughout New Zealand by the publication of an article which described a scries of amazing- tricks performed by Bajah, an Alsatian doc owned by Constable J. Bobertson, of Methven. Three months ago Dr. D. G. Wallace, of Methven, wrote an article' in which he suggested that Bajah possessed the faculty of mental telepathy, and some of his tricks.were due to his_power to read the human mind This theory attracted the attention of Dv.G. E. Beeby lecturer in psychology: at Canterbury College, and led to his making a visit to Methveu in-- company wMi^r. C. Coleridge Farr, professor of physics. Assisted by Mi- and rs- A-^ W.Sparrd*. of Chrlstchu xh. Dr. Beeby subjected; Eajah to a series of gruellnig tests designed to eliminate. until the most Ijiely one was found. Dr Parr Dr. Wallace, ana Mr. Bobertson also took part in -the experiments m- »Bil eljy told the "Christchnreh Jimes?, that the actual performance of tho dog was rather startlirig. He was a, magnificent animal/and came out of the tests-remarkably well. "His tricks are remarkable, but as far as I can see they reveal no trace of thought transference".said Dr. Beeby. "During the two days on which I conducted experiments I saw nothing which could not be explained." ■■... ■

As a result o£ the ©xpeviments, Dr. Beeby has formed the opinion "that Kajah's feats are due to his extremely high level of intelligence, a well-de-veloped ana delicate sense of smell and his thorough'training from an early age. ■ .-••■■'

The tests ware based on the following possible explanations, ana wer© designed to eliminate each one: (1) That the dog found the articles by following the scent of the person; (2) that ho possessed a smell plan of the fieia in winch the tricks were done, similar to the visual plan of a j-oom 'retainer! by people; (3) that he heia a visual plan; (4) that he was directed by conscious or unconscious, signs from his master or observers: (5) that he possesses the faculty of mental telepat.hr ■Bajafc'sJame-resU.principally.on his,

power to find articles' which he has not previously, seen, and which, are hidden while he is shut up in a shed. Dr. Boeby and his' f eljow observers tested the dog in the paddock at the rear of Mr. Eobertsbn's home, where, he has performed on many occasions before newspapermen, photographers, and others. ■'■< ■■;

One of tho first'tests was based on the faetrithat Eajah- does 'not follow the tracks'of -the person hiding the article, A peg was hidden about 150 yards from thei shed .in .which' Rajah was shut up, the experimenter taking a zig-zag course. When released, the dog found the peg in' 42 seconds by the stop-watch,: although he did-, not follow tho immediate tracks of the'experimenter. : ■■ ■ .

Support of the theory that Bajah depended upon his sense of smell was given when ho failed to find a peg after five people had worked over the tracks of the person who had hidden it. The explanation that he possessed a smell plan of the particular--fi^ld was disproved, because the dog worked equally well when taken into another field. Tho: suggestion of guidance frpm. his master was' also eliminated;as a possiblo factor, for Eajalv performed in, the samo.way when Mr. Robertson "was not present. - ...

The suggestion that Rajah possesses the faculty of mental telepathy was also disprovod, for when five pegs had been placed in a row,. and everyone concentrated on tho middle one, he brought back the end one. This'test was repeated, and,the dog.took another one, definite proof that he had not read the minds of the experimenters. Further tests on similar lines all led to same conclusion. . I

By this time pDr. Beeby h'atT secured enough data to enable hiu^ to formulate a theory which would explain tho dog's; tricks. Ho said that Rajah obtained his general line of search from tho smell-tracks of the hiding the. article, and continued until the definite track ended. Ho did not need to follow the exact tracks, for people often made a bee line of similar type. Usually he overshot his mark, and then put his nose down arid.followed., the person's detailed scent until he came to an object-touched by.hand.