NEXT REHEARSAL OF E.P.S.

Southland Times, Issue 24592, 14 November 1941, Page 6

NEXT REHEARSAL OF E.P.S.

Definite .Date May Be Announced

A suggestion that the next rehearsal should be on an announced date was made at a meeting yesterday of controllers and their deputies of the Invercargill E.P.S. Organization. The Mayor (Mr J. R. Martin) was chairman.

! The reports of controllers of the different sections on the rehearsal held on October 7 showed that the chief defects arose from the inability of many of the members to hear the alarm. The work proceeded smoothly in most cases, but the number of members who turned out was considerably below full strength. The city engineer (Mr F M. Corkill) stated that the alarm system was under careful consideration and .he was in touch with the authorities in Wellington about the installation of electric sirens. In the initial stages the organization had been instructed to prepare a system which would operate even if the electric power supply was discontinued. There were indications, however, that electric sirens were now favoured by the authorities, which were considering the question. He had prepared a nlan for nine alarms to be erected in different parts of the city. Tnat system, if approved, should be effective for all parts of Invercargill. During the discussion oir the reports of controllers, several members suggested that the next rehearsal should be held on a definite date so that the difficulty arising from the defective alarm would not recur. The Chie f Controller (Mr H. J. Macalister) said that the executive might announce that a rehearsal would be held on a certain date, but the time would not be stated.