Disappointing Blackout In Central Whangarei

Northern Advocate, 18 February 1942, Page 2

Disappointing Blackout In Central Whangarei

Whangarei’s third trial blackout held last night, was not the success it should have been and fell short of expectations, considerating the effectiveness with which the town and residential areas were blacked out on the two previous occasions. In view of the fact that residents and owners or occupiers of premises in the business area were given notice that the trial would be held before February 19, and had about 10 days to prepare for it, it seems disappointing that the result was not better.

The alarm signals were- not to blame, electric lights flickering most noticeably at 8.15 when the wail of the sirens could be heard from all parts of the town. House lighting and wireless reception was also interrupted, and there was no doubt that the measures taken by the authorities to notify the public of the alarm, were much more effective than on the two previous occasions. GlrA’ing Breachesi

Street lights were extinguished even before the alarm sirens had trailed off into silence, and darkness settled over the town. But in several places in the business area the effect was spoiled by what could be rightly termed glaring breaches of the regulations.

A store had a peacetime Friday night appearance, lights burning brightly and casting a glare out on to the street. Like moths to the candle llame, wardens and others gathered in the light and the occupiers of the premises received a visit from the authorities. Lights were also visible from other premises in the town. From the lower end of Walton Street, brilliant lights showed from unscreened back window's of premises facing on to the upper end of the business area of Bank Street. These were also bad cases of probable neglect. Effectiveness Ruined These few instances of breaches of the lighting regulations completely ruined the effectiveness of the blackout as far as the business area was concerned. The lights mentioned would have been clearly visible from the air. and could have been beacons to draw the enemy’s attention. Fires at the rubbish tip at the lower end of Cameron Street burned brightly and gaily, flaring up every now and then to light up the surrounding area. It is understood that arrangements can be made to burn this rubbish during daylight and it is to be hoped that this will be carried out. More Prosecutions Controller of the Law and Order section (Inspector J. Fox) said this morning that he considered the blackout, generally speaking, was good after the first 10 minutes. He intimated that there would be more prosecutions ns a result of breaches detected last night. He commented that there were appreciably fewer instances of cigarettes being lit and smoked in the streets during the blackout period. This was a noticeable improvement on last time. Chief Warden’s Remarks

In the residential areas of the town the blackout seemed to have been much more successful, and it was obvious that people had made hones l attempts to produce a satisfactory blackout.

In an interview this afternoon, the Mayor and Chief Warden (Mr. W. Jones) said that, generally speaking, the trial was a great success, but there were a few glaring breachc scattered throughout the business and residential areas which spoiled the eflect. Mr. Jones, in company with the Lighting Controller (Mr. W. J. Dawson) made a tour of the whole town and was able to observe for himself the effectiveness of the blackout.

"The blackout at the hospital was a credit to the authorities in charge and I did not even see a chink oi light, although 1 knew that many lights were burning within the buildings,” he commented. Traffic Control

Asked about traffic in the streets, Mr. Jones said that the only car that was running in the town was that of the Lighting Controller, with whom he was a passenger. When the sirens sounded, a number of cars were on the road, but they belonged to members of the lire brigade, who had to report immediately to the station. Others were those of Home Guardsmen living in the southern part of the town, who had to report at bowser stations in the northern end, and vice versa. Mr. Jones added. A number of cyclists were also seen, and they were members of tlve Home Guard or fire personnel proceeding to their stations. A doctor’s ear was permitted to travel through the town on account of an urgent case. On the whole, traffic was well conducted, Mr. 'Jones said, but reports were expected concerning two other cars and a truck.

Mr. Jones said he had met a great number of the people in the town, and the great majority of them had done their level best to co-operate with the authorities, but there were still a few who would not attempt to help. They would be dealt with in due course. He expressed In is sincere thanks to the rest of the community for the great efforts and he congratulated them on the success they attained.