THE Waikato Independent. SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 1906. ANIMALS AND INTELLIGENCE.

Waikato Independent, Volume III, Issue 184, 27 January 1906, Page 4

THE Waikato Independent. SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 1906. ANIMALS AND INTELLIGENCE.

A couple of months ago in Paris, the advocates of the dictum that animals possess the power of reasoning gave practical demonstration of their views and arguments in the shape of an “ intelligent animals’ competition,” at which dogs, cats, and even hens did some remarkable feats in proving that the promoters of the show are correct. Among the recipients of prizes were a dog and a horse which work together and appear to understand the principles of division of labour. Curiously enough, a recent issue of the Scientific American contains the following from a correspondent who also tells of the reasoning of a dog and a horse when both are working together — I was the possessor of a bright, active Irish setter dog, ‘ Laddie,’ who accompanied me on my many drives through the country. My dog and horse were inseparable friends, and when we were out driving ‘ Laddie ’ assumed to take charge of both the horse and myself, several times helping us out of what might have resulted in serious difficulties. I was driving through a rough and hilly section of the country, where the road was frequently crossed by brooks, which at that season of the year at times assumed large proportions, flooding both roads and bridges. I approached one of these streams, over which was a bridge about twelve feet long and somewhat raised above the road on the farther side from me. The water was up to the bridge, and beyond the bridge was a pond of water some five or six rods in width, dark and muddy and several feet deep in places. A little way from the point of crossing were some 'large rocks standing close together, over which the dog could cross without taking to the water, and he started to cross in that manner. When I drove on to the bridge, my horse stopped and refused to take to the water, which stood level with the bridge; my dog stood on one of the large rocks watching my progress, and, when the horse stopped and refused to go on, the dog with human intelligence and reasoning instantly leaped from the rock on to the bridge, ran up in front of the horse, looked into her face, gave a sharp bark of encouragement, and then turned and deliberately walked off from the bridge into the water, all the time looking over his shoulder at the horse saying, “ Come on,” as plainly as his intelligent face could express those words. Then, without any urging on my part, the horse at once followed the dog into the water and across the flooded strip of road to the dry land, the dog swimming ove ther centre of the road just in front of her.

ADVERTISING MEMORANDUMS. . Czerny, the great magician and illusionist, at Alexandra Hall, on Wednesday evening next. Mr R. Morse, Hamilton road, has a quantity of plums for sale. Mr Neville Newcomb, land agent, inserts a new list of properties. Annual meeting of members and subscribers to Public Library will be held on Tuesday evening, at 8 o’clock. Messrs Savage and Richards have a quantity of galvanized iron for sale cheap. * A Borough Council notice re overdue rates and rents appears in another column. Reward offered for lost bay gelding. Two boarders wanted in comfortable home. Lost pocket-book advertised for. The offices of the Waikato Independent will be closed on Monday (Anniversary Day). The paper will be published as usual on Tuesday. The Town Clerk (Mr F. J, Brooks) has been appointed Borough Valuer. Mr C. Reid will conduct service for the Primitive Methodists in the Cambridge West Hall to-morrow evening at 7.30. A batch of summonses are being issued against various persons for breaches of the borough bv-laws. Messrs M. E. Gardiner. Jas. Taylor, and Dr. Roberts have been appointed Sinking Fund Commissioners for the Borough of Cambridge. Dr. Valmtine, district health officer, who paid a visit of inspection to the Cambridge Sanatorium last week, found that affairs at the institution were proceeding satisfactorily. A native gathering has been held at Tauwhare during the week. It is understood that the Maoris have been discussing the lands and noxious weeds questions. The Loan and Mercantile Agency Company held a very successful sale yesterday. The attendance was good and the stock were speedily quitted. There was no advance on recent prices. "We desire to acknowledge the receipt of a wall calendar from the Liverpool, London and Globe Insurance Company, the assets of which exceed £11,000,000. Mr W. F. Buckland is the Cambridge agent. Mr William Knight, brother of Mr J. Knight, of “ W'oodside,” Waikato, died at Palmerston North last week, at the early age of 48 years. The late Mr Knight was a well-known farmer, and had been a member of several local bodies. He leaves a wife and family. The question of observing Monday next (Anniversary Day) as a public holiday in Cambridge cropped up at the Borough Council. The Mayor said it was generally understood that the day was always kept as a holiday, and therefore he did not think there was any necessity to request business people to close their premises that day. An agitated deputation, very ahxious ; to know whether the Council intended to discuss the removal of the salcyards question at the meeting that evening, waited at the portal of the Borough Chambers on Thursday night. In reply to Cr. Dickinson, the Mayor said the matter would not be discussed that evening, and the deputation then calmly retired. The fact that cattle are still allowed to wander about the streets at night, caused Cr. Venables to ask at the Borough Council meeting it the Council still had”a pound-keeper. The Mayor replied that it was not the pound-keeper who was at fault but the ranger. He said it appeared impossible to get a proper ranger. Cattle and horses and young stock were allowed to roam the streets and the byelaws were being continually broken. The annual picnic of the Fencourt Sunday School was held on Wednesday at Mr A. Potts’ farm, and as the weather was perfect, it proved a great success. A goodly number from Cambridge, Matangi, Eureka, and Hautapu sat down to lunch at noon, and after ample justice had been done to the good things provided by the willing helpers, games and races were got up, which were kept up with vigour till about 5 p.m., when all went home well satisfied with the day’s enjoyment. Mr Garraway addressed the children. A dismounted parade of the D Squadron of the Waikato Mounted Rifles was held on Thursday evening. There was a large muster of members. In the absence of Captain Walker, Lieutenant Smith and Sergeant-Major J. Bruce were in command of the corps. Sergt.-Major Coleman was also present, and after making an inspection of the accoutrements, expressed himself pleased with the general efficiency of the corps. On Monday next a number of the members will take part in the shooting competitions at Paeroa, and others will attend the military tournament at Auckland. On the motion of Cr. Dickinson, seconded by Cr. O’Toole, the Cambridge Borough Council, on Thursday evening, unanimously agreed to vote the sum of £25 towards the proposed Technical and Manual School for Cambridge. The Mayor also personally donated two guineas ; Crs. G. Clark, R. Davies, E. J. Wilkinson, A. F. Stone, J. Ferguson, F. O’Toole, and G. Dickinson subscribed a guinea each; Cr. Venables £1 10s, and the Town Clerk (Mr Brooks) iff Is. Cr. J. Hally has promised “ to give as much as any single person in Cambridge.” £37 was subscribed in the room. In all probability grants will be voted by the other local bodies in the district,

A report of the business transacted at Thursday night’s meeting of the Cambridge Borough Council appears on page 8. It was incidentally mentioned at the Borough Council meeting that one resident of the town was in the habit of watering a crop of mangolds with the Borough water supply. The Borough Council insert an advertisement of particular interest to defaulting ratepayers, It is notified that all rates, rents and other debts remaining unpaid after Wednesday next will be sued for without further notice. His many friends in this part will doubtless be interested to learn that Mr J. Seagar Buckland, formerly connected with stock firms in the Waikato, is now engaged in the auctioneering business at Gisborne. Cambridge appears to have been the happy hunting ground of commercial travellers during the past week, an unusual number of these energetic gentry having visited the town with samples of wares and merchandise. It was the intention of the Hamilton Bowling Club to send three full rinks to Cambridge on Monday next, but as Cara- ff' bridge were otherwise engaged the club “ decided to have an “ At Home ” on their own green. At the meeting of the Waikato County Council, the Cambridge Road Board submitted plans and particulars of the proposed alteration of the direction of the Hautapu-Fencourt road, and asked the _ Board to approve of the proposal.—Approval given, the chairman to sign the plan if necessary. Monday next (Anniversary Day) will be observed as a general holiday in Cambridge. Bowls, lawn tennis "and ~ croquet will be the principal attractions for holiday-makers. Persons who do not indulge in these popular pastimes will derive amusement from other sources, such as trout fishing, deer-stalking, rabbit shooting, and picnicing. Pleasureseekers should experience little difficulty in spending an enjoyable day, provided, of course, that that all-important factor . —the weather—is fine. ~ When the financial statement came before the Borough Council on Thursday night, the Mayor said the Council were approaching the end of the financial year and there was a large amount outstanding for rates, the sum of ,£l6O being due to the waterworks account alone. His Worship declared that something desperate would have to be done to get the money in, and he moved that an adver- * tisement be inserted to the effect that all rates and rents not paid by noon of the Ist February, be sued ' for without further notice ; also that he (the Mayor) be authorised to engage the services of a clerk to make out the summonses.—Or. E. J. Wilkinson seconded the resolution, which was carried without dissent. Settlers living at a distance, who arc in the habit of driving sheep and fat lambs into the local railway yards overnight in order that they may be consigned to the “ Glasgow ” Freezing Works by the early morning train, have had reason to complain more than once lately of the havoc wrought amongst the sheep at the station yards by stray dogs. A little while ago one settler lost fully a dozen sheep in this way. Yesterday, one of these hungry canine mongrels was caught in the act of worrying the sheep in the yards,, and it is needless to say, his existence was promptly cut short by a bullet. Mr Gow, the stationmaster, informs us that the Department exercise every care in the transit of the sheep, but cannot be held responsible for the depredations of the dogs. An enthusiastic meeting of the members of the Cambridge Brass Band was held in the Pavilion, Victoria Square, last evening. Amongst other business transarted, it was resolved to ask Mr H. J. Greenslade, M.H.E., to accept the office of President of the Band, and to make representations to him respecting performances at the Sanatorium. It was also decided to order six new uniforms and two new instruments and to clean and repair the instruments at present in use. New caps are to replace the headgear now worn by the Band; rules are to be printed and enforced, particularly the rule relating to members who absent themselves from practices and performances; discipline is to receive more attention than in the past; new music is to be put in hand ; and the Wednesday evening concerts are to be continued during the summer months. A desire was expressed that the Band should play out more frequently on Sunday afternoons, The Borough Council was heartily thanked for allowing the Band the use of the pavilion, and all sorts of pains and penalties were threatened the mean individual (if he is discovered) who placed the Band’s box of music underneath the water tap. The following outgoing committee were re-elected: Messrs A. Shaw, J. Plescher, F. Arnold, H. Riley, E. Healey, C. Stuart (bandmaster), and C. Boyce (secretary). We draw attention to the Auckland Freezing Company’s advertisement. The company have issued their amended freezing rates as a special inducement to owners and farmers to test for themselves the London markets, and so secure the full values offering. The company will continue to buy on the farms ; at the same time every advantage and facility will be given to those preferring to ship on their own account. *

The following is Captain Edwin’s forecast for 24 hours from 9 a.m. to-day:—• Moderate to strong southerly winds. Glass rise. Mr C. E. Storer has disposed of his farm of 200 acres, at Pukerimu, to Mr Hetherington, of New Plymouth, We understand the price obtained was a very satisfactory one. Leslie Sanders, the 14-year-old son of Mr F. J. Sanders, had a miraculous escape from a serious accident at Cambridge West yesterday. The lad is employed in driving a delivery cart for Mr Robertson, baker, and he was in the act of passing through a gate to serve a customer when the horse swerved and bolted. Sanders was thrown out and the wheels of the vehicle passed over both legs. Beyond a shock and a few bruises, the lad escaped unhurt.