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NOISE
The Noise Abatement Act, 1960, made "provisions in respect of the control
of noise and vibration and enabled a local authority to deal with it as a statutory
nuisance in accordance with the procedure in the Public Health Act, 1936." It
made specific provisions to deal with loudspeakers in the street, and also enabled
three or more persons aggrieved by a noise nuisance to make a complaint to a
Justice of the Peace.
Powers for local authorities to deal with the playing of noisy musical instruments,
amplifiers, etc., and the keeping of noisy animals and noisy hawking, are given
by the Good Rule and Government Bye-laws made under the Local Government
Act, 1933.
Noise is an increasing problem and often a difficult one to resolve, especially
as any unwanted sound may be described as noise.
Apart from the chimes of the itinerant ice-cream vendor, the most common
cause of complaints arises from the proximity of dwelling houses to industrial
premises.
The desire for increased industrial productivity by mechanisation often results
in noise problems. The installation of a continuous dough-making machine in a
large bakery resulted in complaints of noise from nearby residents. Remedial
measures to reduce the sound from the machine and the building were carried out
with partial success.
Noise measurements disclosed that the cause of the trouble was sound at a
certain pitch emanating from the meshing of the high speed gears. The manufacturers
of the machine are experimenting with gears made of different materials, with a
view to eliminating the noise.
Careless handling of goods in factories, especially on delivery and despatch, give
rise to noise complaints.
Noise and vibration at night cause particular annoyance. Often noise which
passes unnoticed during the day causes complaint at night.
Cessation of noise for a period followed by a further incident commonly causes
a spate of complaints alleging that things are worse than ever.
During the year, 168 visits were made following complaints of noise and most
of the problems were resolved or greatly ameliorated by ready co-operation.
DISINFESTATION
Powers to deal with filthy or verminous premises or articles, and verminous
persons, are contained in Sections 83 to 86 of the Public Health Act, 1936, as
amended by Sections 35 to 37 of the Public Health Act, 1961.
Bathing facilities are provided at the Council's Treatment Centre for the
cleansing of verminous and scabetic persons. Facilities are also available at this
clinic for the disinfestation of their clothing. During the year, 82 persons were
treated, mainly for scabies.
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