(Contd.)
771
194
The correspondence in this paper relative to noises, particularly night noises as alleged to emanate from cabarets in the residential districts, suggests some research into the subject. Is the modern resident more fussy than yore, and has legislation against needless or irritating and disturbing noise been introduced into the Colony within recent times? Not at all! The old records show that within two years of this place becoming a British Colony there was official disapproval of noisiness.
In a Proclamation in 1843, no-one was permitted after eight o'clock at night (they certainly went to bed early in those days) to beat gongs, play drums, let off crackers, "nor to be engaged in loud or noisy vociferation". Apparently the argumentative chair coolies ninety years ago, the Chinese orchestras and the urchins letting off fireworks, were much the same as they are to-day, and the foreigners required legislation to protect them from night disturbances. I can hardly comment that history repeats itself, for the prohibition of needless noise has never been off our statute books, and Hong Kong's history has, in this respect, merely followed necessity.
*
The reference to noise yesterday (10-7-33) suggests looking up later records to see how the Colony fared under the "anti" regulations and the old chronicles would appear to indicate that noise is inseparable from civilization! We read that following the Chinese New Year in 1856 no fewer than 300 Chinese were apprehended for cracker-firing. It was said that the lieges could not have their sleep. It appears that a Police order was issued on this occasion restricting the noisy demonstration from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Much comment appeared in the public prints of the day, and it was pointed out if there must be justice such should be dealt out impartially. It was asserted that on the night in question, a number of British subjects kept up an extensive firing of crackers and bombs in front of the Club and under the verandah, greatly to their own amusement and to the annoyance of persons inside, but without the excuse of such being their custom. At a boarding-house in Queen's Road, frequented mostly by seamen from American merchant ships, there was also a reckless scattering of fire-works.
In this case of foreigners indulging in cracker firing history certainly repeats itself!
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