WAIATA NOTES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 239, 6 September 1928, Page 8

WAIATA NOTES.

DEBATING SOCIETY. (From Our Own Correspondent.) V WAIATA, Sept. 6. Tho monthly meeting of the Waiata-Ara-tika Literary and Debating Society was held at' Waiata on Monday evening last, the subject for debate being “Havo Animals Intelligence?” There was a particularly good attendance and tho subject was earnestly discussed. Mr N. Peat occupied tho chair. The affirmative speaker was Mr E. Billet, supported by Mr A. Billet, and tho negativo side was taken by Mr r. VY.. Marshall, seconded by Mr D. Jchsen. In opening tho case for the affirmative, Mr E. Billet defined the word intelligence” bo mean understanding, and claimed that all animals, particularly tho higher ones, such as the dog, horse, elephgnt, etc., possessed a keen power of understanding. Some very good examples were given ot tho wonderful shrowdness and understanding of tho animals people come in contact with every day, and proved how this power is brought out and intensified through training as in tho case of police dogs, circus trained animals and all beasts of. burden. Mr Marshal for the negative pointed out that his definition- of the word in torngenco” was “power of reasoning,. and said that he did not consider that animals possessed this power. Man’s brain, the speaker said, was mado up of three parts, the mechanical, tho subconscious, and the intellectual. Animals possessed only two of these parts, the mechanical and tho subconscious. In human beings, should the reasoning or intellectual part of tho brain ccaso to function, they became insane, or, in other words, on a level with the animals. Animals were merely governed by instinct, training, and repetition of action, and not by any reasoning powers they possessed. The speaker, among other tilings, pointed out that, had animals possessed this faculty, man’s dominating power over them would be gone. , _ , , , Messrs A. Billet and D. Jensen ably supported their respective sidee. and five minute speeches were made by Miss R. Billet, Miss M. Jensen and Messrs R. W. Brown, J. Dawson and W. Jensen. Tho subject proved a most, interesting ono, some good stories being related mostly of man’s greatest and best loved companion—the dog. After a hearty discussion from both sides, a voto was taken, resulting in tho affirmative side winning by a small majority of five votes. At tho close of the meeting Mr Marshall voiced tho regret of tho society in the lo6s of their vice-president, Mr N. Peat, who leaves this week to reside at Pahiatua. He will ho greatly missed by • the Debating Club in which ho has always taken a keen interest. Mr Marshall, on behalf of the company, wished him tho best of health and prosperity in the future. Mr Peat suitably replied. Supper brought a pleasant evening to a close. ' PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SOCIAL. On Tuesday evening the Waiata Presbyterian Church held the annual meeting for the election of officers and the reading of the balance-sheet. The mooting was followed by a social. Mr F. W. Marshall presided and the following' committee was elected: —Messrs J. Brown (secretary), J. Stewart (treasurer), N. Peat and Miss R.. Billot. Some greatly appreciated items rendered by members were as follow: —Quintette, “Count Your Blessings” and “The Armour Bearer,” Misses F. Billet and M. Brown (Ist and 2nd sopranos), Mrs R. W. Brown (contralto), Messrs N. Peat (tenor) and F. W. Marshall (baritone); contralto solo, “Ho Shall Read His Flock” (Messiah), Miss M. Brown; monologue, “The Chimney Seat,” Miss Rice; organ selection, “On Wing 3 of Song,” Miss M. Wilson; solo, “Dream of Paradise,” Mr Marshall.