Saltus Grammar School - Yearbook (Hamilton, Bermuda)

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9 At the conclusion of the debate tea was served in the Library. The session wound up with a meeting of the United Nations Assembly on April 3rd for the purpose of hearing arguments advanced by delegates from four of the associated nations in support of their claims to a contract for the supply of bird- seed to the United Nations canaries. The four delegates, assuming national dress for the occa- sion were . . . Mr. Gordy McTaggart, for Scotland (G. H. Grayston); Texas Bill, for U.S.A. (B. E. Wheelwright); Mr. Daffi Ghan Istan, for India (C. W. Kempe) ; and Mr. Poo Poo Velly Hi Pong, for China (M. G. Marsh) . The Russian delegate had previously withdrawn his claim as his country had not yet concluded their investigation of the possibilities of producing a bird-seed which would induce canaries to sing Communist songs only. Mr. McTaggart argued that the fact that the beautiful music of the bagpipes could only be accounted for by the nutri- tional qualities of Scotch Oats should be enough to convince any logical mind that Scotch bird-seeds was the brand to evoke the sweetest response from the canaries. He felt that the dis- turbed political conditions were likely to interfere with the production of good bird-seed in China and India; and, if grown, would it be exported? He was informed that America was largely a land of desert, and the few green patches were fully taken up with the cultivation of oranges. Texas Bill spoke next. He felt that the question as to what proportion of his country was desert would be irrelevant be- cause his bird-seed was a synthesis of the rich mineral wealth of the U.S.A. He gave a formidable list of its components, including sulphuric acid, nitroglycerin, gelatine and sawdust; above all, it was radio-active. His further eulogiums were reminiscent of the advertisement features for patent medicines on ZBM. Mr. Daffi Ghan Istan gave a scientific appreciation of Indian bird-seed, built up on millet as a base. Cheap labour made production economical, and large quantities were avail- able for export. Scotland was too bare and bleak to grow any- thing much beyond weeds . . . and golf-courses. The Ameri- cans were too busy blowing up their country with atom bombs to have much time for such peaceful pursuits as growing bird- seed. China was over-populated, and couldn ' t grow enough food for its own people, let alone bird-seed.

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8 In more serious vein was the debate held on November 8th — This House enjoys reading a good ' thriller, ' and believes that it serves a useful purpose. Proposer D. E. W. Lines Opposer D. B. Wingate Third C. W. Kempe Fourth M. G. Marsh The motion was narrowly defeated by one vote. The Easter Term programme opened with a Hat Debate on January 24th. Among the subjects drawn were these — You have to appear on a television show for three minutes: do your stuff. Would you like to hear that oil has been discovered in large quantities in Bermuda? Which you would prefer, a big appetite and no meal, or a big meal and no appetite? Can the United Nations keep the peace? Would you take the opportunity of being a passenger on the first rocket to the moon? Supposing you are to be shot at dawn, state your last request. On a show of hands the award for the best impromptu speech went to B.E. Wheelwright. On February 14th the Society met to debate the motion — This House deplores the decline of chivalry in this modern age. Proposer D. B. Wingate Opposer J. M. Berridge Third G. H. Grayston Fourth B. E. Wheelwright The motion was defeated by three votes. The third meeting of the Easter Term, on March 6th, was devoted to the Visitors ' Debate, when the Society was pleased to welcome Mr. L. J. Profit and Mr. Stuart Outerbridge. The president recalled that Mr. Profit had been one of the four principal speakers in the first debate held by the present society in 1935, while Mr. Outerbridge might be described as a founda- tion member, for he had been a member of the original consti- tuent committee. Some ingenius arguments were heard for and against the motion — Money is the root of all evil, which was defeated by five votes. Proposer G. H. Grayston Opposer ....B. E. Wheelwright Third Mr. L. J. Profit Fourth Mr. S. Outerbridge

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10 Mr. Hi Pong spoke with a quiet and impressive dignity. What proof, he asked, had they in Scotland that their bird-seed was any good since they had no birds to speak of? America and India boasted of the eagle and the vulture, carnivorous birds. What would happen if bird-seed from those countries were fed to the canaries? Would they too become carnivorous? But the birds of China were the most beautiful to be found anywhere in the world. Moreover, the Chinese were a yellow race, and so the Chinese bird-seed might be expected to make the canaries yellower. Members from various other nations expressed opinions, and a vote was then taken, resulting in the award of the con- tract to China. The Society is grateful to Mr. M. R. Stevens and to Mr. W. G. Maundrill for their continued interest and lively contribu- tions to the debates. Officers for the season 19 ' )1-1952 President Mr. J. H. Kerry Secretary D. B. Wingate Committee: C W. Kempe, D. E. W. Lines, M. G. Marsh, F. R. Snape and B. E Wheelwright Cadets N.C.O.s — Sgt. H. H. Dunkley; Cpls. Marsh, Minugh, Cassidy; L Cpls. Boyle, Burns, Grayston, Tucker. Band L Cpls. Carey, Dunch. Cadets:— 41. Total Strength:— 51. It is necessary to explain a change which has occured since last year. The Cadet Corps is now controlled by the L6ical Forces Board, a Board appointed by the Governor to implement the Local Forces Act which was passed into law late last year. A result of this change of control is that many changes are to be made to the constitution of the Cadet Corps, though for us at Saltus the procedure will be little changed. We are pleased to report the acquisition of a qualified Sergeant-Instructor, one of the changes mentioned earlier, who has had the thankless task of making drill movements