Investigation into the use of the siren on the municipal motor ambulances seems to show that the vat amount of noise used in con-ection therewith may be directly attributed to the attitude of the motorists of Shanghai, or at least some of them. Sirens, it is stated, are ured in the United States, and were adopted in Shanghai because of the ints of people using motor cars, when prosecuted for not giving way to the ambulances, that they did not hear the gong which was then used. Tt was claimed by others that the gong was ea much like the bells used on the trams that they thought it was merely a trim behind.
Fire Brigade instituted. a number of prosecutions for failure jive way to the ambulances, and the siren was designed to meet the objections ised by defendants, The "North-China Daily News" is now informed that the ' authorities are making investigations to ascertain whether it is possible to modify the sirens, to which end one has been changed for the purpose of ex: erimentation, That is a matter upon which those concerned are to be congratulated, for they may rest assured that the complaints made against the noise made by those loud instruments were very real. There is always bound to be some difference of opinion as to whether that type of alarm is really best suited for the needs of Shanghai, especially a9 the bells used by the Fire Brigade m chines, who, are expected to reach fires just as quickly as ambulances fare wanted to reach the injured, and if the former can get through the traffic with their rather more musical alarm, there seems to be no reason The letter on Rickshaw Reform which appears in to-day's correspond ence columns suggests that, perhaps, Public opinion, strongly in favour of effecting the reforms suggested in the Massey Report, has become scatfered and that the members of the Board have been buffetted by me terested parties. It would Indeed be pity if the Board were permitted in any way to feel that they did not have public opinion behind it. This Journal believes that the Board ust as much support now as i has always had, and, though at the moe ment it may not be quite so emphatic gally clamant, it is, "nevertheless, there and ready to demonstrate itself directly an issue arises which mecessitares such action. There has been iriticism of the Board, chiefly as to etail of procedure, for it would me deed be a fortun which, engaged on such dificult. work has in hand, could expect to. be free from criticism of that nature, On the necessity of reform there is no doubt in the minds of either Chix hose of foreigners. This Journal does not endorse the in connection with the trial. and of the conduct of the Assistant Munletpal Advocate. It was his duty to see that the whole matter obtained th fullest hearing, and that as complet fan investigation should be made as Possible. Tt was, therefore, his duty fo put as much' information as he had before the judge even though some of its implications might not be of the happiest, Mowever that. may it does not appear that the authority of the Board has been in any way damaged by the course the hearings took, and it would certainly be correct to infer. that public confidence in the Board has been in Jany way diminished
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.