HIDEOUS NOISES.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 233, 2 October 1925, Page 8

HIDEOUS NOISES.

MOTOR CYCLISTS AT NIGHT,

DISTURBERS OF THE PEACE,

Condemnation of the practice of motorcyclists driving about the streets of Christchurch at night making the air hideous with the noise of their engines is reported from that city. It is°a fact, however, that the same nuisance exists in Auckland.

Cyclists seem to take a delight in tearing about the streets late at night with the silencers off. Their one idea seems to be to make more noise than any other machine on the road, and it will be admitted that they succeed beyond expectation, as many a householder may testify.

Just dropping off to sleep, one is rudely awakened to the fact that a motor cyclist is approaching. The terrific roar, spluttering, and scrceeching of the fast-moving machine can be heard for some distance, and it is a din that at night seems to penetrate the brain like a sharp knife. There is a by-law in existence which makes it essential for all •motor cycles to be fitted with silencers, and during the day the drivers pay some attention to that fact. It is at night that they remove the silencers, and give sleeping people the full benefit of the power and noise of their machines.

Other traffic by-laws if disobeyed bring the offender to court, but these disturbers of the peace seem to bear charmed lives, and somehow escape the penalty of the law.