LIGHTING CONTROL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 48, 26 February 1941, Page 4

LIGHTING CONTROL

WANGANUI RESTRICTIONS REDUCED STREET LAMPS ELECTRIC SIGNS BANNED Restricted street lighting, the elimination of electric signs, and the prohibition of the use of the flooding system at Cook's Gardens after March 8, are among the measures to be adopted in Wanganui under the new regulations for the adequate control of lighting, announced the district lighting controller, Mr. H. Webb, at a meeting of the Wanganui City Council last night. Mr. Webb, who is engineer to th-Wanganui-Rangitikei Electric-Power Board, has been appointed to act i.i conjunction with the Dominion Lighting Controller, Wellington, Mr. F. T. M. Kissell, and is chairman of the Wanganui Reduced Lighting Committee, other members of which are the city engineer, Mr. L. F. Rew, the manager of the Corporation Gas Department, Mr. W. J. Stone, and the Inspector of Police, Mr. J. A. Dempsey. At the invitation of the Mayor of Wanganui. Hon. W. J. Rogers, M.L.C., Mr. Webb attended the meeting and outlined reasons for adopting certain measures in Wanganui immediately. Mr. Rogers assured him that he would have the full co-operation and support of the council in any steps he decided to take. A letter from the Dominion Lighting Controller addressed to Mr. Rogers in his capacity as chairman of the Wanganui Emergency Precautions Scheme Committee, stated that though it was not possible at this juncture to state all the reasons for the measures proposed, it might be that they were directed mainly at reducing the value of coastal lighting, from a navigation and gunnery standpoint, to enemy surface raiders known to be operating at present in the Pacific. Before Mr. Webb addressed councillors, the following letter, written by him. was read by the town clerk, Mr. C. R. White:— ‘ Reduced Efficiency “Instructions issued by the Dominion Lighting Controller provide for the restriction of street lighting in coastal towns, and these restrictions will considerably reduce the efficiency of the Wanganui city street lighting system. “The controller directs that all lights visible from the open sea shall be effectively shrouded, and reduced in wattage if necessary. The instructions also provide for the elimination of sky glow from light sources, though these light sources are not visible from the sea. “This applies to the gaseous discharge lighting in Victoria Avenue and floodlighting in Cook’s Gardens. Experiments carried out on gaseous lights by the controller have shown that it is impracticable to eliminate this glow and retain the lamp as a useful source of light. “It is recommended that all gaseous discharge lamps be replaced by suitably shrouded incandescant lamps, and I would be pleased to have the council’s approval of this alteration. “I have discussed the question of floodlighting in Cook’s Gardens with the Dominion Lighting Controller, and he is of the opinion that this lighting should not be used. The city engineer does not consider shrouding of these lights practicable, and in the circumstances I consider that prohibition of the use of the floodlights after March 8 justifiable.” Shading Street Lamps Mr. Webb said he was acting as liaison officer between the Dominion Controller and the E.P.S. organisation in Wanganui. A decision had been made, he added, to go ahead immediately with the most obvious ways of reducing lights, such as shading street lamps on St. John’s Hill and other places where they were visible from the open sea. Lights which re-flected-sky ward would also have to be dealt with. Neon signs, because they had high reflective value, were the chief offenders, and when on the tops of buildings were visible from a long way off. It was difficult to distinguish between those which were high up and half way down a building, but it had been decided to cut out all Neon signs and illuminated advertising. It was probable, Mr, Webb added, that such curtailments would have been made latei- on because of restrictions on the use of power. The question of reduced lighting on Wanganui tramcars was also being considered. “We appreciate," said Mr. Webb, “that a brilliantly lighted tram at Castlecliff could be a very fine landmark for a raider at sea. ’ Mr. Rogers said the steps being taken in Wanganui were on lines similar to those adopted in other parts of the Dominion. Cr. G. E. Bennett: By street lighting in Victoria Avenue you mean the large green lights. Do you propose cutting them out? Mr. Webb said ordinary street lights would have to be substituted. The Dominion Lighting Controller had said that street lighting must be reduced as far as possible without creating a danger to pedestriansFestoon lighting in Victoria Avenue at Christmas and Easter would be definitely cut out. The question of motor-car lights had not yet been dealt with, but a scheme was being considered by the Dominion Controller.