Black-Out Trial

Hutt News, Volume 15, Issue 28, 5 November 1941, Page 5

Black-Out Trial

NO LIGHTS TO SttOW

CARE BY MOTORISTS

Formal notification is given of the obligations upon all citizens and residents of Lower Hutt City during the black-out trial on the evening of Sunday next, November 9. The notice, over the signature of the district E.P.S. organisation, appears 011 page 8. It sets qut in clear detail what is expected of occupiers of all buildings and of motorists.

A particular responsibility reins upon motorists during the black-out half-hour, 9.5 to 9.35 p.m., for serious danger will be introduced if Irivers continue on their way. except with the greatest possible care, with lighting from lower parking lights screened by double thiclc-

nesses of newspaper, or its equivalent. In the opinion of the executive committee of the E.P.S. motorists should not attempt to drive on, but should get their cars clear of the roadway and remain stationary until the test is? over. All public transport—buses and trains within the trial boundaries —-will be brought to a stop during the blackout. Switching Off .Not Enough. The official notification calls attention to the need of some special provision for blacking out-a room or rooms. It is pointed out that it will not be suflicient mo rely to turn off the lights should an emergency occur. Many people have said that that is all they propose to do for the Sunday test —to switch off the lights and go to bed. or sit it out in the dark. Certainly that will get them through the first test, but it will not do if the sirens go in serious need. One or more rooms should he so prepared that they can be blacked out at shortest notice. In most homes one room will be enough, but in offices or buildings where 'operations continue, at night, more than this must be done.

The first test has been timed to

cause minimum inconvenience, bi:t the tests which will follow will be ordered at times when normal weeknight actitivies will be affected and

when inconvenience will be un- , avoidable, hut the degree of inconvenience, delay, an I disruption of normal activity will be minimised by llie care and thought given blackout arrangements by the individual person or firm. The main points to be taken into account are set out in the notice. No General K.P.S, Turn-out. Though siren and other warnings will be sounded as for a full emergency it is not desired that the whole F.l'.S. orgaisition shall turn out for the first Sunday evening test. Those who tie required to palrol, observe and report, and to supervise and control traffic are members of the wardens' groups, a'id such ,)tlier personnel as have been directly called upon. All officers on duty will carry written authorities to call upon householders and others to point out deficiencies and to P-au- written notice where nece.-s----hiirv. Kacli notice will he made out in diij.licat'-. and from these individual reports -ii anaivsis will be mad-' to <er.e as a mide lor further tests. Ambulance, lire, police and military vehicle lights, under conditions laid down by the responsible authorities, alone will be allowed.