BLACK-OUTS

Grey River Argus, 14 October 1941, Page 5

BLACK-OUTS

ARE THEY A MISTAKE. ? LONDON, October 12. A statement by Mr. I. F. Dicker- . son, an American lighting engineer, in condemnation of black-outs is published in the “Daily . Express, which is leading a campaign for the abolition of the black-out. The black-out is a poor protection for large cities against night bombing. Black-outs do not prevent pilots finding the cities, says Mr. Dickerson He states that a better plan would be to create a glaring • canopy of light over the principal • English cities which would blind the enemy pilots, and obscure important ; targets, Powerful searchlights would blot out tell-tale landmarks which might be visible in the black-out. AUCKLAND TEST AUCKLAND, October 13. Commenting on Auckland’s first emergency black-out test held last ? night, from 9 to 9.30, the Mayor (Mr Allum) said that on the whole the authorities were satisfied with the . results. The system of warning sig- ■ nals given from 64 points appeared adequate. A limited amount of street lighting was left on, and many shop lights were not extinguished. Motor- ; ists had co-operated excellently after the first 10 minutes. Trams and buses were under excellent control. The weaknesses disclosed would be remedied. . . Curious crowds in the city fumbled a way through the darkness, or stood ; in groups, watching the unextinguished lights as The wardens or policemen took the names of offenders. Large crowds assembled on the top of Mount Eden and other vantage points. The black-out on the waterfront was a complete success, an cargo operations were suspended. A comprehensive test at Auckland railway station and yards was made bv 100 employees, including women. Imaginary fires, traffic dislocations and casualties were efficiently dealt with.