Less Light In Whangarei

Northern Advocate, 27 May 1941, Page 4

Less Light In Whangarei

CIRCUMSTANCES alter cases. Whereas there was every reason, in the piping days of peace, to urge the extension of community lighting in Whangarei’s business area, it is now urgently required that business people should reduce to a minimum the illumination of their shop windows and dispense altogether with the verandah lighting which has made the main streets attractive at night time.

There are probably many in the community who do not believe it is necesary to darken the town, but they should realise that a time of war, when the safety of the whole country is at stake, does not permit of free-for-all decisions. The orders of the defence authorities must be obeyed, and it is gratifying to note the pleasantness with which business people have co-operated with the authorities. In accordance with his instructions, the local controller of lighting, Mr. W. J. Dawson, reduced drastically the street lighting and required shopkeepers and others to cut out the majority of lights in their premises. It has been found, however, that the reduction in lighting has not been sufficient to meet requirements, and accordingly another cut in lighting has to be made. Naval officers have reported that the glare of Whangarei’s lights is visible thirty miles off-shore, which cannot be permitted to continue, as it would give a valuable bearing to enemy ships which might be headed for this x portion of the Dominion. In order that business people and others might learn at first-hand what is required of them, and to strengthen the goodwill with which lighting restrictions have already been carried out, a meeting was addressed by the controller last evening. It will be seen, from a report of the meeting, that the business area is to be darkened to a much greater extent than at present, and that public buildings, churches, etc., are also to be brought within the scope of the restrictions. It is hoped that when domestic lighting is reduced it may be possible to increase the power of street lights in the interests of traffic. This would be a boon, for the darkening of the streets is a matter of inconvenience, and, in many respects, of danger, to pedestrians and motorists alike. It is but natural that the . darkening of the tdwh should be regretted, but the controller struck the nail on the head when he said that if that is all Whangarei will have to contend with as a result of the war we will escape lightly. If the matter is regarded in that spirit, inconvenience will be considered a very small thing.