BAN ON LIGHTING

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 137, 6 March 1941, Page 9

BAN ON LIGHTING

Enforcement Power For

Wardens

PROGRESS OF REDUCTION SCHEME Anyone who is out after dark this week must be struck with the progress that has been made in the diminution of Wellington city lights. This is most noticeable in the city proper, where steps have been taken under the regulations to black-out most of the bigger lights which contribute to the glmv in the sky. The Lighting Controller, Mr. L. B. Hutton, said yesterday that mercury and sodium vapour street lights have now been entirely cut out, likewise the ornamental lights in Kent and Cambridge Terraces. The most noticeable transformation in mid-city is the elimination of the elevated neon signs, which contributed so picturesquely to the illumination of some of the main streets, chiefly those in which, the picture theatres are situated... Hotel signs overhead, too, pave been blacked out.

Arrangements have been made to remove immediately half the street lights in city areas visible from the open sea. As for the rest, and, in particular, those around the harbour front, devices are being made with all speed to screen such lights from view at any distance. The manufacture and painting of these screens takes some little time, but as supplies come to hand they will be fixed. Within a week street lighting in these areas will be considerably reduced. There are still householders in areas visible from the open sea who have not taken the precaution to black-out their windows. They will be dealt with in due course. An advisory compiittee has already divided the city into six areas, and wardens and sub-wardens are to be supplied with maps of their particular districts, which will demarcate the areas in which the black-out is being insisted upon.' It will be their duty to see that the black-out regulations are being complied with, and they will hhve authority to enforce the regulations. With this substantial reduction in street lighting, to be made more effective each evening as the scheme progresses, it will be incumbent on all drivers of motor vehicles after nightfall to take extra precaution. They must approach street junctions with the utmost caution, as the dimming of the street lights is going to make it much more difficult to drive in safety, Standard Pattern of Light Shade. Following tests which have taken some weeks a satisfactory pattern of street light shade has been found and recommended for adoption by district lighting controllers in both islands, The shade has to meet conflicting requirements: cheapness, efficiency, and application to standard fittings and mass production, for many thousands are needed in the shortest possible time.

The Dominion Lighting Controller, Mr. F. T. M. Kissel, and his assistants had details of devices in use in Britain as a guide, but none met the need here. The problem of making lights invisible from the sea does not arise in Britain, for there is a-100 per cent, black-out for 10 miles inland, and though the reduction of street lighting in the “vulnerable” areas will be drastic here it will not be as severe as in Britain. Most of the black-out fittings in use in Britain require more heavy presses and special machinery than can be spared e t present in New Zealand.

The amount of street lighting left in vulnerable areas will be merely enough to show the line between roadway and footpath and to give some guidance to pedestrians and drivers. The work will be done as quickly as possible when supplies of canisters are available, and householders or others who make no attempt to comply with the regulations will be shown up in striking contrast. In some seaside areas variations from the recommended standard may be effective and if so will be approved, but however the seaside black-out is tackled the same standard of invisibility from the sea will be insisted flpon.

Motor headlights are not to stay bright'when they are used on the seafront and hill roads, and regulations are being prepared to direct how this is to be effected.