BLACK-OUT TRIAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24793, 18 December 1941, Page 6

BLACK-OUT TRIAL

THIRTY MINUTES’ DURATION INSTRUCTIONS TO PUBLIC Instructions for the guidance of the public during the trial black-out of 30 minutes’ duration to be held between the hours of 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. on Sunday next have been issued by the controller, of the Emergency Precautions Services (Mr A. H. Allen). The instructions cover lighting requirements for both vehicles and premises, the conduct of pedestrians and motor traffic, and the warning signals indicating the commencement and termination of the black-out trial. “By an advertisement appearing in this issue,” Mr Allen said, “the attention of the public is drawn to the black-out trial to be held under emergency conditions on Sunday night next some time between the hours of 9 and 11 o’clock. The duration of the trial will be 30 minutes. The commencement of the black-out period will be announced to the public by means of 10-second blasts on sirens, whistles, and gongs, separated by silent periods of five seconds, the whole signal having a duration of two minutes. The blackout will apply throughout the whole of the Dunedin area from Port Chalmers to Mosgiel. inclusive.” ; Complete Eclipse

Mr Allen explained that, during the black-out, no lights are to be displayed inside any roofed buildings, closed vehicles, or other covered enclosures in such circumstances that any illumination therefrom is visible from outside the building, vehicle, or enclosure. No lights are to be displayed otherwise than in buildings, vehicles, or other enclosures. All vehicular traffic must remain stationary, and no parked vehicle may display lights of any description. A sustained blast of two minutes on the sirens, whistles, and gongs will indicate the end of the black-out. “ It is expected,” Mr Allen said, “ that citizens, during past months, will have complied with the direction of the Lighting Controller (Mr G. T. Edgar) by having already fitted suitable blinds, and will have taken all necessary steps to prevent any illumination inside their premises from being seen from the outside. It is not sufficient if householders, to meet emergency conditions, turn off all lighting. From general observations in northern centres, it appears that far too many householders have turned off all lights, not on hearing the warning signal, but in anticipation of it This is not complying with the regulations.”

Patrol By Wardens

Mr Allen pointed out that it will not be permissible during the blackout trial for the public to use torches outside, nor will the striking of matches be allowed. From the time the warning is sounded until the all clear signal is given, no oil lamps, to mark street excavations or other construction works may be lit, and all street lights will be extinguished. Trams will cease running during the black-out, but will resume their normal schedules when the all-clear signal is given. At least one warden will patrol each street throughout the city and suburbs, and will be authorised to insist upon a strict observance of the regulations. He will also have the power to report offenders to the authorities.

Air Force planes will be used for reconnaissance purposes during the trial, Mr Allen said. Members of the public, both pedestrians and drivers of any class of vehicles, are urged to keep off the streets during the blackout. It is therefore desired that people should reach their homes before 9 p.m. For Sunday night’s trial, only the wardens’ and Ipw and order sections of the Emergency Precautions Scheme will be required for duty.

TEST IN WELLINGTON QUICK PUBLIC RESPONSE (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Dec. 17* Wellington’s second black-out test was held to-night and was, according to official statements, a great improvement on the first one about six weeks ago, though by no means perfect. The general effort revealed that the public had in the interim seriously set about the duty of co-operating with the authorities by endeavouring to make the black-out what it would be in a state of emergency. No indication had been given of the hour when the sirens would sound or of the duration of the test. From the time darkness fell there was a period of alertness and when the alarm was given at 9.15 p.m., the people responded quickly. The E.P.S. organisation went into action without delay on a full mobilisation basis as well as the Emergency Fire Services to watch for imagined outbreaks of fire following the “raid.” Street patrols were efficiently carried out in the city and suburbs. The Mayor, Mr T. C. A. Hislop, as head of the E.P.S. services, said that generally speaking the black-out was extremely good and very much better than the previous one. A similar report was made by a pilot observation plane which circled the city, though the observer said that some lights were visible. It was agreed by all observers that there will have to be a substantial reduction in the amount of light shown by motor vehicles. Drivers were again stopped by patrols and asked to reduce the brightness of headlamps and even tail lights.