REDUCED LIGHTING

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 227, 8 July 1941, Page 2

REDUCED LIGHTING

NEED FOR STRICT OBSERVANCE.

A WARNING TO SHOPKEEPERS. STATEMENT BY AN OFFICIAL. “I hope that everybody will understand that reduced lighting was introduced on the recommendation of the Defence authorities, and that it is desired to reduce lighting no more than is necessary,” said Mr C. W. Bearmnn (Assistant - Dominion Lighting Controller), in an interview with a “Guardian” reporter last night, after he had observed the restricted shop and street lighting- in Ashburton. Mr Bearman indicated that if circumstances warranted, further lighting • restrictions might bo necessary. “If people would only grasp the fact that reduced lighting is not a fad, but a measure of selfpreservation, they would more readily co-operate with the local lighting controller and take steps themselves without having to be ‘gee-cd’ up to do all that is required.” “Ashburton is lucky in that, being several miles from the sea, it lias not got the major problem of lights being visible from seawards,” said Mr Bearman.” Still it has the other tricky difficulty of eliminating sky-glow. “Judging by ’ observations made in the shopping area to-day, it is fair comment that many shop-keepers seem to feel that they are in a safe area and it is not altogether necessary to treat the lighting restrictions with a great deal of seriousness. Lighting tests which I made with the assistance of Mr H. G. Kemp (local lighting controller) show that while some of the shopkeepers have done their best and some have complied with the regulations, others have accidently or maliciously flouted the regulations.”

Fifty Times More than Permitted. “One shop measured to-night emitted 50 times more light than is permitted under the regulations. One of tho points overlooked by shopkeepers is that the shadowing of door entrances is of the same importance as the shading of windows,” said Mr Bearman. “Interior lighting has to he shielded from the street.” “I can sav without hesitation that if everyone concerned does not comply with the regulations and instructions issued by the local lighting controller, the powers vested in the police will he brought into effect and offenders will he prosecuted for the sake of the community as a whole.” Ideal Balance in Street Lighting. The Assistant had no criticism*to offer on restricted street lighting in Ashburton. “It seems that an ideal balance between compliance with the regulations and the preservation of safe conditions oh the roads has been observed,” he said. Mr Bearman urged Ashburton people not to make comparisons with the reduced lighting in other areas, as, because of geographical conditions, what, applied in one part was not applicable to another. “A. blanket regulation covering the whole of New Zealand could be made, hut would obviously not be economic,” the speaker added.

The official also stressed the fact that the regulations concerning reduced lighting had been gazetted for four months, so that there was an excuse for not being conversant with them.

A point raised by Mr Beannan was that the scheme was under the supervision of men who were doing the work voluntarily. In some of the larger towns many men were engaged on this basis, a number as Wardens.