LIGHTING TO BE CONTROLLED

Southland Times, Issue 24369, 25 February 1941, Page 4

LIGHTING TO BE CONTROLLED

Early Restrictions In Coastal Areas REDUCED VISIBILITY FROM SEA The Dominion Lighting Controller, Mr F. T. M. Kissel, has appointed local lighting controllers for the city of Invercargill and the coastal boroughs of Southland. In Invercargill the city electrical engineer, Mr A. C. Carman, has been appointed controller .and at Bluff the borough electrical engineer, Mr F. H. Pearce, has been appointed controller. As the Riverton Borough Council does not employ an electrical engineer Mr Kissel has suggested that the district electrical engineer of the Public Works Department, Mr W. H. Gregory, should act with the. local Emergency Precautions Organization in the control of lighting. In a telephone interview with The Southland Times yesterday Mr Kissel said appointments had been completed and full information forwarded to the local controllers last week-end. The plan would be brought into operation as quickly as possible. Under the special emergency regulations issued last week full powers were given for the control of lighting in coastal areas. A general scheme had been adopted designed to reduce any lighting visible from the open sea which might assist any attacking force. ELIMINATING “SKY GLOW” The instructions which have been given to local controllers suggest that coastal towns and cities will shortly become very poorly lit at night in the near future. They provide that all lights visible from the sea must be extinguished or shrouded. In thickly populated areas within a short distance of the coast street lighting must be reduced or eliminated to such an extent that no “sky glow” frequently seen above towns or cities will be visible. Because of the high intensity of mercury or sodium vapour discharge lighting, such as is used extensively in street lighting in the city and inner area of Invercargill, it has been decided by the authorities that such lights shall be disconnected. All advertising signs and flood-lighting for buildings must also be disconnected. Ordinary street lights will be shrouded and reduced in wattage. Lights under verandahs and in shop windows will receive similar treatment. Blinds must cover windows facing towards the coast. Railway signal lights will be the subject of special consideration and every effort will be made to prevent them from showing illumination to the sea Elevated lights in railway yards will either be disconnected or shrouded to such an extent that they cannot be seen from the sea. When the schemes for reduced lighting have been put into operation in coastal areas special observations will be taken by vessels trading along the coast and the masters of the vessels will be requested to report to the authorities on the effectiveness of the precautions taken. Local observations will also be made from the sea.