LIGHTING DARK CORNERS

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 143, 18 June 1926, Page 12

LIGHTING DARK CORNERS

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Under the above heading in your Wednesday's issue we are told that "Auckland has a system of street lights that any city would be proud of." The writer could have added "but it might not." All depends upon the point of view. To the observer on Mount Eden or other volcanic cone the lighting of Auckland may indeed be fascinating, the bright display being as attractive as a jeweller's shop window. To the less exalted pedestrian or driver the lights are a nightmare. Upon a moonlight or a clear, starlight night this wonderful illumination does no harm on a level road, but it is not needed. On a misty or rainy night, however, when a light on the road would be helpful, the main effect, under'certain conditions the sole effect, of these street lights with their horizontal reflectors, is to blind the traveller to everything but the light. When a road is not level, to anyone going down hill, even on a clear night the road is invisible, the brilliant light being on a level with one's eyes. May it be suggested to the writer of the article that he come down to earth and have a chat with motor car drivers about these lights. The lighting of the roads instead of above them might better be achieved if the reflectors were not horizontal. This might spoil the display to be viewed from Mount Eden, but the night birds frequenting these heights would be reconciled to this loss by knowledge of the great gain to the multitude below. —I am, etc., PEDESTRIAN. June IG.