9 January 1924

Highlighting a problem we don’t have today!

From The West Australian of 9 January 1924, under the heading of Noisy Windmills, we see the following letter.

To the Editor
I am very pleased indeed to see that attention has at last been called, although in a very mild manner, to this intolerable nuisance.  The health of citizens is protected in other ways, but any inconsiderate owner of an old windmill can, and does, injure the health and well-being of his neighbours by depriving them of sleep.  Night after night have I lain awake listening to the “thud, thud” of a noisy mill, until about three o’clock in the morning.  Distracted and unable to stand the strain any longer, I have had to go into a hot stuffy room and shut the door and window to keep out the horrible noise.  At times I have been unable to attend to my work properly on account of want of sleep and a bad headache.  Surely the council or road board could get power to regulate this cruel practice and force those selfish people, who can have no consideration or kindly feeling for their neighbours, to shut down their mills for a few hours and enable others to have a few hours’ sleep.

Yours, etc.,
DISTRACTED,
Mt. Lawley, Jan 7

But three days later, on Saturday 12 January 1924, we see in reply the following letter also headlined Noisy Windmills.

To the Editor
Sir, - I think it would have been better if your correspondents had stated in which street or area the noisy windmills were, otherwise, it is unfair to those who properly adjust and oil their windmills.  It would be unreasonable indeed to restrict the hours of pumping because there are some owners of mills careless and unmindful of their neighbours comfort: moreover, generally speaking, most of the wind power is available between sunset and sunrise.  Within a radius of 50 yards of my residence, there are 4 mills, State Implement, Samson, Metter’s and Alston and, if either of your correspondents will call, I feel sure that they will find that the mills in question are practically noiseless.

Yours etc.,
W.T.E. SNOWDON,
15 Almondbury Road, Mt Lawley

Examples of Mt Lawley windmills and water tanks can be seen below.