SCHOOL BELLS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20190, 5 July 1928, Page 3

SCHOOL BELLS

ARE THEY DISTURBING? TO THE NEIGHBOURHOOD? In these days, when to have “nerves” is the fashion, much is made of the noise of civilisation. The roar of traffic in a crowded, thoroughfare will certainly be conceded by many as not being soothing in its effect, but it is surprising to hear that the modest tinkle of a school bell has been objectlid to. Such, however, is the case at the Hutt Valley High School. The installation of a bell has met with opposition as it is said it is likely to have a disturbing effect on an otherwise quiet neighbourhood. The suggestion that anyone could object to the sound of a school bell made Mr P. G. Jackson, headmaster of the Victoria Avenue School smile incredulously. All the schools in Wanganui were provided with bells, he said, and he had not heard of anyone taking exception to them. As a matter of fact, the tinkle given out by the bell of his school was rather faint and at times was scarcely heard by the pupils, let alone by anyone residing in the vicinity. The idea that a bell could be a disturbance to the community was scouted by the headmaster, who pointed out that no objection was made to the church bells ringing on Sundays. People, however, could get used to something to which at first they might take objection. Thus in the case of the Avenue School’s bugle band, complaints against it had been made at the outset, but people were not disturbed by it now. It had been suggested at the Hutt Valley High School that an electric bell should be installed, but as far as a primary school was concerned, said Mr Jackson, this would be of no use as it could not be heard beyond the precincts of the playground. The bell served a double purpose. It not only called the classes together, but. in the case of the first bell, warned laggard scholars that it was time for them to hurry. “The ringing of the bell is a timehonoured custom,” he said in conclusion, “and old customs, we are told, die hard. It is true that the sound of the school bell, by virtue of its associations, is more likely to move another Goldsmith to expatiate upon its charms in a rural ode than that its modest tingle should be deemed to add to the hectic noise and bustle of everyday life.”