TOWN HALL LIGHTS IN BLACKOUT

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 44, 15 November 1941, Page 8

TOWN HALL LIGHTS IN BLACKOUT

Mayor Issues Report

"The result of inquiries made this week shows that the bald statement broadcast on Sunday night has given rise to a good deal of exaggerated talk about lights on in the Town Hall on the night of the blackout,” said the mayor, Mr. Hislop, in a statement issued last night. "This is quite unfair to the E.P.S.” Mr. Hislop called for a report by the town clerk, Mr. E. P. Norman, as convener of the central E.P.S. committee, on the efficacy of the Town Hall blackout. His report is as follows:— "It must be remembered that the Town Hall contains the Control Room and the No. 10 First Aid Post, whiijh must both function fully in an emerg “In preparation for such conditions the lighting circuits have been altered to provide a separate emergency circuit and a standby lighting set has been provided. A large number of windows and lights which seeme'd to need treatment were screened.

"A little before 9 p.m. on the night of Sunday, November 9, I went completely round the building with the custodian, and no lights were showing. Shortly after the alarm sounded I again went round, and no lights whatever were seen.

“A warden came into the Town Hall an'd said there was a light showing from the corridor ou the ground lloor of the Town Hall. 1 immediately went out witli tlie warden concerned into Cuba Street, and could see no light, but eventually after my eyes adjusted themselves to the darkness, saw a very faint glow which was found to originate from the light in the main entrance, which had to be kept going, and which was rellected through a fanlight. The glow in one part of the corridor was completely stopped, but the rest could not be eliminated without switching off tlie emergency lights. As the light escaping was infinitsimal, I thought it better not to make a pretence at blacking out, but took advantage of the special opportunities offered by the blackout to examine the building, keeping on the lights essential for the first aid post and control room, and working out the best means of screening them.

"Shortly after this a report was received that there was a bright light showing from the upper story, and a man was sent up to put it out. He returned saying he could not find any light. This happened three times in succession. Eventually it was found to be coming from a radio set. which a boy had switched on. This was switched off as soon as discovered. In the meantime tlie district warden got the idea that the delay was due to lack of cooperation, and I am afraid life actions were coloured by that erroneous impression. "A senior officer of the Government National Service Department, who spent the blackout period at tlie Town Hall, viewed tlie Town Hall about half-way through the period from the opposite side of Cuba Street, and informed me that 'lie considered tlie blackout of the Town Hall was .100 per cent., and in fact lie was amazed at tlie blackness of it.’ He confirmed that statement again today.”