Saltus Grammar School - Yearbook (Hamilton, Bermuda)

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7 The Debating Society The past season has yielded its full quota of entertaining debates, but for sheer popularity the palm should perhaps be awarded to the Mock Trial held on March 4th. The cause celebre was that of Leghorn White (S. A. Williams) v Dauberman Pincher (H. G. F. Pierce), before His Lordship, Sir Jeremiah Beak (J. M. Berridge). The case revolved around a dog and six bantams. The plaintiff sought damages for loss sustained on the morning of February 12th, when the defendant ' s dog, it was alleged, did wilfully and with full malice aforethought make a forcible entry into his chicken run and kill four of his prize bantams — Willy, Nilly, Dilly, and Dally. De- fendant denied the charge, and submitted that his dog was of blameless character; he had reared it as a strict vegetarian, and it was in fact so tame that it wouldn ' t bite its own fleas. Counsel for the plain|tSff was Sir Joshua Grill (Mr. M. R. Stevens), and the defendant was represented by Sir Archibald Blister (Mr. J. A. Stubbs). Mr. Toby Scratcher (F. R. Snape) was Clerk of the Court. Three witnesses appeared for the plaintiff: Mr. Leroy Lamb (J. H. Tucker) testified as to the dog ' s bad reputation: his own chickens had been mauled by it. Mr. Jas. Natter (W. Fish), a near neighbour of the plaintiff, had heard the commotion on the morning in question, and had seen a dog making off festooned with feathers. Miss Polly Prim (R. W. Kempe) was employed as maid at the house of the plaintiff. Hearing the pandemonium she went out to investigate, but at the sight of the slaughter she fainted. The defence also produced three witnesses: Dr. Whinny Baric (F. I. B. Williams), veterinary surgeon, had psycho-analysed the dog and tested it for radio-activity; as a result he was able to testify that the dog was temperamentally incapable of killing chickens. Mr. Peck N. Pay (H. E. OuterbrMge) was a neighbour of the defendant, and knew his dog well. At the time of the attack on the bantams the dog was on his property; he recalled the occasion quite well he- cause their cat had been chased up a tree and imprisoned there for a considerable length of time by the dog. Mr. Early Moo (A. W. Hollis), milk deliveryman for the defendant ' s district, knew the dog well; he had once seen it being chased by a rooster. When the witnesses had been thoroughly grilled and blistered, Counsel addressed the Court. His Lordship gave a few directions to the Jury before they withdrew to consider their verdict. After a brief retirement the Foreman of the Jury (J. ' Smith) returned a verdict for the plaintiff. Sir Jeremiah then delivered judgement: he awarded

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6 muda register. This war crippled the industry, and the War of 1812 finally wiped it out. Bermudians then turned to the cultivation of arrowroot, in some demand for drugs and medicines; this flourished for a time, but eventu- ally bowed to competition from St. Vincent. The export of vegetables was the next mainstay of Bermuda ' s economy. When the United States provided a market, Bermuda used to ship from thirty to fifty thousand crates of vegetables a week, worth to her perhaps one and a half million pounds a year; but a tariff of a hundred per cent imposed by the States virtually killed this trade. But once again Bermuda found a means of survival, this time in the industry which is still her principal one .... the Tourist Trade, which began about 1908. He wished to impress upon them the fact that this trade had been built up by the initiative and efforts of Ber- mudians themselves. He could not say what the future had in store, but no doubt it held problems which would once more tax the adaptiveness and initiative of Bermudians, — of themselves. In facing such problems, let them remem- ber the example set by their predecessors. There was yet another aspect of their life which demanded emphasis on Empire Day .... the fact that, in belonging to the colony of Bermuda, they formed part of the far-fiung Commonwealth of Nations, whose members were accorded the greatest measure of political freedom in the world. Within its framework people of all kinds were en- couraged to develop self-governing institutions. Bermuda itself had the oldest parliament in the Commonwealth outside Britain, and had made its own laws since 1620. These principles of political freedom had been gradually worked out through the centuries in England and then extended throughout the English-speaking world. In conclusion, Sir Stanley said that the original grant of Bermuda by the Virginia Company was made to the Gentlemen Adventurers of the Plantation of Bermuda . Successive generations had lived up to that title, and he asked them to bear it in mind when their ;um came to go out into the world: they should remember that they were the Gentlemen Adventurers of Bermuda. X

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8 damages to the plaintiff in the sum of fourpence, and required the defendant to lead his dog in the forthcoming Easter Parade wearing a placard inscribed, Public Enemy No. I — Bantam-killer. Among the debates held during the season were these: — October 1st. — Bermuda is too small a place to live in. Proposer J. H. Kaufmann Opposer W. Hanlon Third F. R. Snape Fourth „...R. W. Horsey The motion was defeated by six votes. October 22nd. — ' The boy of to-day is thoroughly idle. Proposer J. H. Kaufmann Opposer R. W. Horsey Third W. Hanlon Fourth ... S. A .Williams The motion was defeated by two votes. November 26th. — Hat Debate. Impromptu speeches. Among the subjects picked from the Hat were these: — Is man descended from the ape? What do you consider your three most valuable possessions? What I saw on the day of the Royal Visit. Why does a wheel turn? Is parliamentary government the best form of government? Could we do without schools? January 21st. — Unrehearsed speeches under these heads: — The most awkward situation in which I have found myself. Why I enjoy life. What I want to do when I leave school. February 18th. — The scientist is the villian of the 20th. century. Proposer F. R. Snape Opposer F. I. B. Williams Third S. A. Williams Fourth J. M. Berridge The motion was defeated by seventeen votes. The final meeting was devoted to the Visitors Debate, on March 25th, when the ♦Society was pleased to welcome the Rev. Paul Cory. There was a spirited debate on the motion, Newspaper reporters are too nosey , which was carried by the narrow margin of two votes. Proposer J. M. Berridge Opposer F. R. Snape Third Rev. Paul Cory Fourth Mr. M. R. Stevens At the conclusion of the debate tea was served in the Assembly Hall. The Society is grateful to Mr. M. R. Stevens for his constant ' interest and invigorating contributions and to Mr. J. A. Stubbs for his helpful co-operation in the Mock Trial.