DISTRICT NEWS.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 18 June 1913, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

EVENTS IN SHANNON. (Chronicled by Our Resident {\- preseatative^. MIRANUI GUN CLUB. The following are the results of the Miramii Gun Club's last match: Mr Murray's Trophy. Fifteen birds—E. Warrington (ID yards) 10 birds: J. Kilniinster (1G yards), i) birds; W. Harris (l<3 yds) 14 birds, first; F. Buckmaii (15 yds) 11 birds; J. Buttorworth (II yds) 9 birds; 0. Pcderson (11 yds) 12 birds; A. Jiidd (13 yds) 12 birds; J. Kennard (13_ yds) 13 birds; C. Anderson (13 yds) 13 birds; P: Olsen (13 yds) 13 birds; C. Olsen (12 yds) 12 birds. In the shoot off for second place J. Kennard, with 2 birds, won, and became the winner of A. Sand's trophy. P. Olsen, third, with one bird, won Miss Dunckley's trophy. Ten Birds Sweepstake. E. Warrington (18 yds) 7 birds; F. Buckman (14 yds) 7 birds; J Biitterworth (13 yds) 7 birds; C. Pedersou (13 yards) 1) birds; P. Olsen (13 yqds) 7 birds; "\V. Harris (17 yds) o birds; W. Shearman (12 yds) 7 birds; J. Kennard (14 yards) ■! birds; J. Kilniinster (15 yds) 5 birds. FOOTBALL. • The boys of the Shannon School had a football match with the Moutoa boys on the ground of the latter on Saturday last. The result was a draw: Shannon 3, Moutoa 3. Quarrie obtained a try for Shannon and Bowe, a big boy who had left ■school, got the try for Moutoa. DEBATING SOCIETY.

Tin , weekly meeting of the (Shannon Debating Society was held ii the .Druids Hall on Tuesday evening There was a goodly number of members present, andtlie president (Kev. ■I. A. McKenzie) occupied tlio chair The chairman read a letter re the impromptu debate contest in Levir on July loth, in which the Rev. Kanderson enquired if the Shannon Society would compete. He invited those present who wished to compete to notify the secretary at the close of the meeting. The subject of debate was "That Quadrupeds show a Greater intelligence than Birds." Mr W. Clayton took the affirmative and Mr T. Hensman the negative. Mr Clayton championed the. quadrupeds. H<2 defined quadrupeds as four-legged animals, and birds :,s two-legged creatures. He did not consider a t:ible a quadruped, though it had four legs. There were many instances of intelligence in dogs. Mr Voyse.y had an intelligent dog which fetched his slippers for him every night. Dogs gave alarms of fire, as in Wellington recently. Mackenzie's dog. who brought stolen sheep for miles some -10 years a»o, in South Canterbury, was another instance in point. The intelligence of horses, especially Arabs' horses. was well known, and elephants worked with great intelligence. He had seen an elephant, a horse, a. dog. and a monkey all drinking at the same table bottles of ginger beer, which the monkey opened. Mr Tlenderson contended that birds had the greater intelligence, as shown in the building of their Hosts. The thrush showe das much intelligence as a man in the building of her nest, liii/iio; it with a plaster of mud .and sticks; a magpie had a back and front, door to her nest. The quadrupeds did not nmko any attempt like the birds to build themselves comfortable houses. The birds must have thought out and designed the construction of their nests. The wrens and the "long loins" nosts gave further evidence "1 intelligence, the nests being specially constructed to throw off the "•eather. Lot Mr Clayton compare the scream of a cat. the bowl of ;, log. and Iho bray of a donkey with the songs of the thrush, the Wk or Ao nightingale, and say which had

the more intelligence. Miss Wicklifft! seconded Mi' Clayton, and g { ,v c many instances of intelligence in horses, dogs and cats. Miss Laurvig contended that tli, care which birds took over their toiMs showed their intelligence. Mirds also showed much intelligence m evading sportsmen.

Other speakers were Mr Sinclair who thought the birds had more intelligence every time. Miss Linsell championed the quadrupeds. Tn Africa the wild horses had one of their number as sentinel to give the vest warning of approaching danger intelligence of the beaver in constructing a dam was instanced. 'Squirrels in their navigation of bark boats. elephants writing; even rabbits and donkeys showed inteJlidence. Mr Law and Mrs Gibson also spoke in favour of animals. The latter had k nmvn ~ sat l() t) ., ivd

Keren miles to return hemo She hatl hoard of "courting ] lorsPS) >. "•ho, when a coTiplo were courting on horseback kept so close together .von could not got a pin between

them. She gave many otTior instances • of intelligence in animals. Mr Gibson agreed. Mr Trainer

quoted many ftinnv stores of anini-

<ils and birds. The Rev. J. A. McKenzie put in a word for the birds. The Koaka, spent part of the year in New Zealand and part in Siberia, showing great intelligence in travelling thousands of, miles. Swans at Wells rang a hell on the moat when they wanted food. Quail and wild ducks showed great intelligence in hiding from danger. -Mr Selby spoke for the quadrupeds. He considered man was more nearly related to quadrupeds than -to birds, and it would he like passing a vote of censure on themselves if they voted for the negative.

The lenders having replied, a vote; was taken. The result was a tie, 17 for quadrupeds a.ml 1.7 for "birds. The chairman gave his casting vote for the birds.