NOISES IN THE STREETS

Wanganui Chronicle, 7 November 1950, Page 4

NOISES IN THE STREETS

yuE behaviour of people in the streets is more than of passing moment to the publie in general. Noise tends to increase as traffic becomes denser and noise wears out those who are subjected to it. The major objection to living in the centres of population is that there is an absence of quiet and that nerves in consequence are put under a wearing strain. While effort is being made in offices and warehouses and shops to minimise noise as much as possible, little if anything is being done to reduce street noises. The motorist’s wife who strives to gain her imbibing husband’s attention by tooting on the alarm siren of the family ear may be doing more than revealing to the world that domestic discord exists; it is robbing every property holder in the neighbourhood of that inherent right of quiet enjoyment of their lives. The most flagrant offender of late has been that class of motor-cyclist who feels that the more noise he makes the better will be his enjoyment. On a recent evening a motor-cyclist in Victoria Avenue, at near to eleven o’clock at night, was seen to start up his engine, open the exhaust so that it roared like a field gun quick-firing, travel for not one hundred yards down the street then return to his comrades and continue the conversation. It may have been an illuminating conversation requiring such a noisome demonstration, but any attempt at sleep would have been banished for many people. It is to be hoped that some active steps will be taken to put a stop to this quite unnecessary nuisance which takes a heavy 101 l of ciiy dwellers’ comfort. »