BELLS OF ST. ANDREW'S

Waikato Independent, Volume XXXIV, Issue 3237, 24 November 1934, Page 5

BELLS OF ST. ANDREW'S

MANY HOUSEHOLDERS COMPLAIN NIGHT PRACTICE DISTURBING That residents of Cambridge who Uve in the vicinity of Upper Victoria Street, Hamilton Road, Thornton Road and Queen and Bryce Streets, find the belLringers' weekly practice at St. Andrew's very trying, is apparent from the number of remarks made to The Independent, following Wednesday

night's long-continued ringing. The' bells started shortly before eight b'clock on this particular occasion, and continued much longer than usual, until after nine. In a letter to the editor on tho opposite page one resident puts his opinions very forcibly. His slightly ironical treatment of the subject has sound views underneath. His comments are in accord with those of a number of other people who have been equally outspoken since Wednesday night. "On Wednesday I felt particularly tired after a hard day's work, and I looked forward to a good "rest during the evening," said a householder. "Hardly...had I settled, down to, read when the bolls started, and their persistent jangling bored into my brain to such an extent that it was impossible to concentrate. Finally I had to give it lip as hopeless, aiid go out for a iong waik to get as-far-away-.as possible from the bell?." - T .-.-. ■^^ j "ThjJy have neither tune' nor 'harmony,'!' said another resident. "They not only disturb me, but the children are invariably awakened by the bells." It is impossible to relax after'ftio day's work with such an insistent clamour going on through the early part of the evening.

"Surely, if the bell-ringers must practice they could muffle the bells in some way," was the suggestion made by another suffei<em-^:->: "I have tried >closing all the windows and doors 'to', shut out the distracting noise,' % ' said still another resident, " but V 'witlh' ratio effect. Why Church bells should be rung at all I don't know," he'"continued. '' They arc an anachronism in these days when everyone has a wateh or clock. If they were in tune one might perhaps bo better .able to put up with them, but, as it is, they produce only a confused jangle which is very trying to the nerves." THE POSITION EXPLAINED RINGING UNAUTHORISED When interviewed this morning, it was stated by the person in charge of the bells that the practice on Wednesday night was unauthorised and he knew nothing about the ringing. No practices had been held for several months, and prior to that, when the boys were learning, the bells h"d not been rung for more than a tt"«" L QT of an hour or 20 minutes.each night. An assurance was given that a repetition of lasi' Wedriesdav night's ringing would riot occur again.