BLACK-OUT ON COAST

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 124, 19 February 1941, Page 8

BLACK-OUT ON COAST

Instructions From Cabinet Dominion Special Service. CHRISTCHURCH. February IS. "On Saturday, February I, (he council's electricity department received an urgent communication from the Electricity Controller. Wellington, advising that he had received instructions from Cabinet that immediate arrangements were to be made to eliminate as far as possible all seafront publie lighting, mid to minimise city glare," stated a report of the electricity department io the Christchurch City Council lasi evening

"The intimation came t<> the department as an instruction from Cabinet, through the Electricity Controller. Every endeavour was made imply promptly with the instruction. Thirequired commitnietil ion with a num her ef oilier local bodies, owners of neon signs, and such other lighting awas involved. Every care was taken to observe lhe proper courtesies in communicating with mayors, chairmen and others, as well as with lhe ollieers concerned. In an emergency action it was not possible to do in all cases all that it was desired to do in this eonnexioti.

"An outstanding feature in the whole experience was tlie prompt mid helpful response ill every ease. The committee believes this augurs well for efI’eetive eo-operatimi in any future urgent needs. The result wa> of only limited value, but it was very instructive in many respects."