BLACKOUT DANGER

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 249, 18 July 1942, Page 6

BLACKOUT DANGER

Trams To Reduce Speed At Night UNION’S DECISION

Stating that the blackout of street lighting in Wellington had “made it utterly impossible to maintain existing schedules and at the same time accept responsibility for the safety of the travelling public,” the Wellington Tramwaymen's Union has decided to-run the tramcars at a reduced speed at night till conditions are improved.

Advice of the union’s decision was conveyed by letter yesterday to the general manager of the tramways department, Mr. L. B, Hutton. Similar notification was given to “The Dominion” in a letter by the secretary of the union, Mr. P. A. Hansen, who wrote as follows: —

“It has become imperative that we should notify the general manager of the tramways department that we feek that the conditions which obtain make it utterly impossible to maintain existing schedules, and at the same time accept responsibility for the safety of the travelling public. Accordingly the members of the union have decided that, till the conditions are improved, tramcars shall be driven at a speed that will enable motormen to maintain that margin of safety to which it is felt the public are entitled. ‘‘We regret the necessity for such a decision as we realize that in giving effect to it there is bound to he some inconvenience io tram passengers, but we do feel that the dangerous conditions of driving, particularly on the city section, warrant us insisting that a reasonable margin of safety must be maintained.”

Inquiries made late last night showed that no action had yet been taken, and that th’e motormen were awaiting instructions. Invited to comment on the men’s decision, the mayor, Mr. Hislop, as chairman of the city council tramways committee, said it was realized that the existing blackout conditions rendered driving more trying and difficult for the tramway motormen. All that was required in such conditions was that consistent with the safety of the public—which was the paramount, consideration —every effort should be made to maintain the timetable. Mr. Hislop added that he had received no request from the representatives of the men to discuss the matter, but he was ready, with the tramways committee, to do so at any. time if the. men so desired.

, CITY BLACKOUT Mayor Sees Defence Authorities RELAXATION SOUGHT In an endeavour to obtain relaxation of the blackout of Wellington streets the mayor, Mr. Hislop, saw the Defence authorities this week. He was not successful, and intends to discuss the matter with them again next week. “I was in hopes that relaxation of the blackout conditions might be permitted by the Defence authorities,’ said Mr. Hislop last night, “and I have discussed the matter with them during the week. I have since received notification that it is not desired to make any alteration at the present time. I intend having further discussions early in the coming week. “It seems absurd to me,” continued the mayor, “that the brilliant iliumin ations on the waterfront should go on and that all the city street lights should be put out. The street lights can be extinguished within 30 seconds of the word being given. On the other hand it takes far longer to extinguish the waterfront lights.”