BLACKOUT TRIAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 23 February 1942, Page 4

BLACKOUT TRIAL

THROUGHOUT DISTRICT SOME GLARING BREACHES PROSECUTIONS LIKELY A blackout tru*l in the coastal area between Colling wood and th* Glen was held on Saturday evenins. The alarm was sounded at 8.15 and the try-out lasted an hour, in this time wardens inspected ail houses in their areas and the attention of househc/dem to any lights showing. In some parts of th*- district the try-out is said to have been satisfactory, but in many areas the authorities are disappointed with the results, and prosecutions are likely in *ome eases. In the city warden- reports so f to hand indicate that the great majority of householders made a genuine attempt to exclude all light. . lated the Controller (Mr E. R. Neale), but there were still some glaring breaches of the regulations. The reports indicated that some people seemed determined not to endeavour to comply with the regulations, and jf the information given in some of these cases is correct prosecutions will follow. There wore about 150 case In which some light was howiflf and the circumstances in each case will be carefully examined. "It is evident that further trials will have to take place until greater efficiency is secured, and this means that the innocent members of the public will be put to further inconvenience until offenders comply with the Residents them, elves may therefore be able to assist in securing the desired state of ‘ft ■ ' \" doubt the pm* secutions which will have to be taken will prove to be the best mean of securing an effective blackout. ALARM SYSTEM “It is emphasised once more that every householder must comply, whether he be a member of the auxiliary services, armed forces or civil service or otherwise. Regarding the alarm signals. much greater coverage has now been secured and there arc eight alarms operating Provision is also being made foi another siren at Nelson South, and two more hand sirens are on order. It is. however, recognised all over New Zealand that it is quite impracticable to provide a siren system which will reach all residents inside their houses, particularly if the radio is going, and it Is suggested that residents can assist each other by advising next-door neighbours when they hear the signals.” OFFENDERS AT TAHUNANUI Disappointment with the result of the try-out in the Tahunanui district was expressed by the local controller, Mr C. !H. Chamberlain, this morning. Many 1 residents, he said, appeared to have deliberately flouted the regulations and when interviewed by Wardens had been very offensive. These people would be prosecuted. Besides these deliberate I offenders there were many residents whose arrangements were not entirely satisfactory, and warnings would be issued in these cases. Street lights in the district had remained on for some time after the trial commenced and an investigation would be made into this j matter. 'IOTUEKA’S TRIAL The black-out trial held at Motueka or. Saturday night is reported by the Controller and Deputy-Controller of the E.P.S.. Mr W. J. Eginton and Mr R. P. Rowling respectively, as having been highly sat : factory, the residents and shopkeepers readily co-operating i when the ■ arning signals were sound- ; ed. The whole effect of the trial was marred, however, by members of St. John Ambulance Brigade driving their ambulances along the streets with full lead lights on while not engaged on urgent and essentia! ambulance work. The controller pointed out that the trial was purely a blackout trial and did not concern sections other than those specifically mentioned in the advertisement. LIGIITo SWITCHED OFF Commenting on the black-out in Takaka the Golden Bay Lighting Controller. Mr J. P. Cottier, said that it had , been an excellent tryout, though un- ; fortunately it had not given a true in. ) d cation of the effectiveness of the nvI dividual black-out. owing to people in some instances switching off all lights , and going out into the streets, not realising the necessity of having one room completely blacked out. The wardens were on the job in all districts and curried out their duties effectively. War. dens have been instructed to make sure when future trials are held that every householder has one room blacked out The chic? offenders, said the Controller, were people fishing for flounders on the mudflats with bright lights. It is intended to take action in the future against such offenders. The warning of the trial was given | by the new mobile siren and the soundj ing of the whistls at the Tarakohe ce- | ment works. On this occasion th* alarm system i ived quite efficient.