Noise bill opposed

Press, 30 October 1981, Page 4

Noise bill opposed

Control of noisy parties and the behaviour that can go with them should be a police responsibility, not left up to local bodies, said members of the Christchurch City Council’s clean air and health committee yesterday. The police should be asked to determine their present policy on disorderly behaviour in residential area's, councillors said, and their cooperation in controlling it should be sought. The chairman of the committee. Sir Robert Macfarlane, said he could see violence and trouble resulting

from a proposed community noise control bill that would leave the problem mainly in the hands of Justices of the Peace and local body officers. “It is a bill that will probably be murdered, and it wants murdering, I think,” Sir Robert said.? Cr C. E. Manning said that behaviour surrounding noisy parties was often a matter of law and order and should be treated that way. Cr M. F. Fahey said that even more than two police officers could be needed to stop some noise. “It could

require a squad of six and sometimes 12 policemen plus the dogs,” he said. The public was probably unaware that the police now lacked \the power . to act against some cases of noisy, parties, said , Cr A. J. Graham. “It would be extremely cumbersome under the present bill to seek redress,” Cr Manning said. Control proposals to be considered by the Government say that a noise abatement order would allow the police to provide assistance if required.