TRIAL DURING DARKNESS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 6 October 1942, Page 4

TRIAL DURING DARKNESS

“A POOR SHOW” CITY CONTROLLER'S IMPRESSIONS Last evening at 8.7 o'clock Nelson had its first E.l'.S. trial during hours of darkness. All the street lights were blacked out and cars, ambulances and trucks moved with dimmed lights, while messengers on cycles also had restricted lighting. The rehearsal was based on an imaginary raid by six Japanese planes on the central blocks of the city and all units were required to operate in close proximity to each other. ‘‘My first impression of the E.P.S. re- j hearsal last evening was that it was a i very poor show but, upon investigation, the blame for apparent inefficiency can be traced to about -three sources.'’ said Mr J. A. Harley, City E.P.S. Controller, to-day. •'Until an analysis of messages despatched by the wardens concerned is made, any definite charges of inefficiency would be quite unwise. It would appear that though 55 people holding leading positions in the various units were withdrawn as casualties most services functioned quite well, particularly so perhaps as it was the first rehearsal held in complete darkness. “Much knowledge was gained by unit controllers and by headquarters and mistakes were made showing the need of future practices in the dark. Most unit headquarters were ordered to be vacated owing to imaginary damage and the change to the new sites upset the organisation temporarily. ‘ A complete analysis of every incident will be made and considered in relation to the report to be submitted by the military officers who were kind enough to act as observers. CITY AREA UNDERSTAFFED “It is evident at this stage that the City Area is very much understaffed with wardens and warden's messengers, a situation that must be remedied immediately even if it means securing men from other sections for these tasks. The area blitzed last night was very limited, being confined to Trafalgar street from Hardy street to Bridge street, arid to McKay and Sons' premises in Bridge street There were four major and t four minor fires, and 55 casualties, 14 of whom were found dead. “There were lour major bomb craters iin Trafalgar street marked by heaps |of rubble and smoke bombs. These j craters caused broken water and gas ! mains, telephone and electric light ; cables. Telephone and electric wires were supposed to have been badly broken in Trafalgar street. The Supply Section was called upon to do a big job of taking stocks of essential commodities prior to commandeering those stocks for removal. The Transport Section was given quite a small portion of the work to conserve the running of heavy trucks. The Law and Order Section had the removal of the dead and traffic control to attend to, also the guarding of essential supplies in damaged buildings. The Plunket Section had the evacuation of a local nursing home to supervise. *'A picture theatre was visited by the District Controller and the chairman of the Central Committee. Patrons were advised of the raid by a slide on the screen. Steps have been taken to ensure some protection for patrons of the picture theatres and the procedure to be adopted will be made known during the coming week. “It would appear that some members of the organisation who were labelled as casualties have a very definite grouch that their time was wasted as they were not attended to. By the sacrifice of time they made a serious weakness has been shown in the organisation and which can now be remedied. These ; good people are asked to be tolerant I and not too critical. TIIE BLACKOUT “The blackout lias not yet been reported on by the wardens but from a quick tour round one of the suburbs it was noticed that some 20 houses were showing traces of light. People generally had tried to observe the regula-

tions. "The water supply stood the strain of the large draw off by householders filling baths and receptacles. "The War Gas section of the Medical Unit investigated a report of gas being present in a shell crater. They turned out with field equipment, promptly analysed the gas on the spot and decontaminated the area thus rendering it safe.”