There is a danger that, in the discussion. of the noises of Shai correspondents will single out 1 own small annoyances for vent tion, rather than discuss the wider Issues which have been raised in these columns, Such a case is the complaint with regard to the bells fof the German Church of which two correspondents make mention, Bells have been associated with churches for many centuries as a means of summoning the faithful to public prayer, and there is no reason why their use should be discontinued. Bell ringing according to one cor respondent takes place on Saturday for two. periods: one of twenty minutes before service and, the second, of fifteen minutes after. "The same happens, apparently twice on Sun+ say. Whether there is any ringing during the week is not stated, but itis to be assumed that there: is some. It is quite probable that for some periods during the week people living' in the close. vicinity may subject to a passing annoyance, and 18 possible that their views might be met by the church authorities Umiting their bell ringing to. the period before services and eliminate Ing the pealing afterwards. To tsk that they should be required to stop ringing altogether is, to the Toast, "somewhat unreasonable and something which cannot be endorsed in these columns, Those in charge of the church, however, may very well consider in what manner they can meet the wishes of those who have written in, especially if they can be convinced that it causes any real inconvenience. But it ig not uch noises as these of which the average reader complains, but of the Intolerable nuisance created day and night by thoughtlessness on the part of many, and the apparent reluctance of "the authorities to go into the matter with a view to effecting a much-needed remedy.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.