STREET NOISES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21300, 2 April 1931, Page 12

STREET NOISES

CRITICISM IN CITY COUNCIL CR TAPLEY AND MUSIC Whether many of the noises heard in the streets constitute music or whether they should be banned by the municipal by-laws was a question upon which members of the City Council showed some difference of opinion last night. The subject arose rather unexpectedly when Cr Mitchell moved the adoption of the General Committee’s • report. Cr Mitchell stated that the committee had given Mr George Knowles permission to speak publicly on the street above the Post Office building at Moray place north-west, and the council apparently appeared quite agreed that there was nothing in the matter to be discussed. Then Cr Shaddock rose to his feet and said that while he had been standing on the Town Hall steps that night he had heard noises which some people might call music, but if it was music Cr Scott: You are not cultured. — (Laughter.) Cr Shaddock said that he could not help thinking that while the General Committee was so particular about a man speaking at a corner where there were no residents it might also give some attention to these other things. In ordinary fairness he thought the committee should take steps in regard to the noises he had referred to —music .or no music. Cr Begg said he must differ from thfe remarks of Cr Shaddock, He thought that the general public received a certain amount of pleasure from the music and also some education. He supposed, however, that the committee found it hard to draw the line. Cr Wilson said he had heard the noise. He did not think it should be allowed. He had never heard such a noise. Cr Mitchell said he certainly thought that the street noises were getting yery much worse. They could hardly go a block without heariug all kinds of noises. He did not know, however, whether the council should take up the question. They were living in a different age, they should remember, and if the council desired the committee to take action it could give them an instruction A councillor: We have. Cr Mitchell: The by-law is very wide. It is just a matter of how far we are to go. Cr Tapley said he thought that they were getting over-sensitive. He liked good music. They knew that “ music hath charms to soothe the savage breast, the hungry Scotsman; and the butcher’s dog.” (Loud laughter.) The more music they had the better. He hoped that the council would not stop the playing of music in the streets. The discussion then ended.