To the Editor of the *"Nonrm-CHiNA Dany News"
Of course there is the possibility that. though officially a road it is privately owned. 1t this be tne case, why do the P.W.D. not make it their duty to see that owners keep it in a good state of repair?
"hen there is the noise from a newly-installed air compressor in the Cosmopolitan Apartments. I am not acquainted with the rules pertaining to the installation of machines but obviously the S.M.C. pass. for the Original plant should not apply to new and unsuitable machines, Li this were so there would be nothing to prevent the operation of pneumatic tools or some such instrument of torture at a later date.
The air compressor in question pumps water from the well and the control being automatic, it goes into action at all hours, This may not, be so bad during the day but when one is awakened at all times during the night, the matter becomes serious.
Sm—I have seen in your correspondence columns from time to time reference to the American-Oriental Bank and the American-Oriental Finance Corporation.
It is some years since the Raven companies went into liquidation and while creditors of the above two concerns have seen statements of their affairs in the local press, no publication of the position of holders of ARCA loan certificates' issued by the Asia Realty Ca, Inc. has appeared in the papers, nor have these creditors received any communication from the Company. The creditors have been very patient and now that the real estate business in the French Concession and certain areas of the International Settlement is good, they should know what the Company intends to do towards redemption of outstanding obligations.
The same state of affairs exists in It has been ascertained thet owing to complaints from their tenants, the managers of the Cosmopolitan Apar! ments have made feeble and inexpensiye attempts to reduce the noise. I gather that the machine was' mounted, 0n a rubber base and enclosed in a Wooden frame. Any man with a fundamental knowledge of compress Sors would know that these experiments are useless as the noise is caused by the valves and the suction of air, If insulation of sound is arrived at, this must be tackled efficiently with the right materials.
Complaints have been made to the Cosmopolian Apartments and the Police, Both have given half-hearted assurances that something will be done. Meanwhile for over a month all tenants having the misfortune to live in the vicinity have had to endure sleepless nights behind tightly closed (but not soundproof) windows I shall be grateful if your readers will advise what steps could be taken to ensure that the owners of the machine try out prompt and effective measures to reduce the noise.
Curious.
Shanghai, Oct. 31. ao
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.