THE NOISE NUISANCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22319, 17 January 1936, Page 12

THE NOISE NUISANCE

Sir, —Your editorial "The Noise Nuisance" challenges proper consideration and brings home the query—has Auckland even begun to get readv to move toward noise abatement? Wellington most certainly has more initiative. 1 have noted in New Zealand Engineer and Mining Journal a striking article on "Traffic Noise .Reduction —Wellington Enterprise." The data was supplied by the manager of the Wellington city tramways, who has' been exploring methods for reducing operating noi.se on trams. Apparatus for noiso measurement has been imported and a definite policy of noise reduction laid down. Here is definite constructive action that will hearten those New Zealanders who have begun to wonder wh.y New Zealand in some, things is so backward and behind the times. But for toleration of needless noise Auckland seems likely to lead for the present. Our tramway manage- » ment seems not yet aware of a noise problem. The report of the manager after his world tour discussed the replacing of the existing tram system without mention of its worst featurenoise in operation, noise which has been reduced considerably in other tram systems. The Railway Department, or, rather, the locomotive branch, has discovered a method of considerably increasing noise. The screeching American railway siren? disturb the quiet of homes miles away from the line, but I understand these', ghastly contraptions a;e to take the place of a railway conscience in the matter of level crossings. The public did not make much fuss, so now this American atrocity is to be a standard fitting on all locomotives, and the * quaint name of it is the "chime" siren. If big public utility services like Railway Department and tramway departments would only show that public health and efficiency' means something to them—then such an example would make the motor-cyclist and radio broadcaster railise something new in life—consideration for others. Thanks in large measure to the enlightening articles in youfc journal, this community is now taking.an intelligent interest in the noise problem.*"' AuckxaxdelkM!