BIG IMPROVEMENT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 298, 18 December 1941, Page 7

BIG IMPROVEMENT

WELLINGTON’S BLACKOUT MOTOR VEHICLES OFFEND (Press Assn.! Wellington, Dee. 17. Weilington's second blackout test, held to-night was, according to ollicial statements, a big improvement on the first one about six weeks ago, though by no means perfect. Tne general effect revealed that the public had in the interim seriously set about its duty of eo-operatiug with the authorities by endeavouring to make the blackout what it would be in a stale of emergency. No indication had been given of the hour when tile sirens would sound or of Ihe duration of the test. From the time darkness fell there was an anticipatory alertness. When (lie alarm was given at 9.15 p.m. people responded quickly. The E.P.S. organisation went into action without delay on a fuil mobilisation basis, as did also the E.F.S. to watch for imagined outbreaks of lire following a "raid." Street patrols were efficiently carried (out in city and suburbs. i The Mayor, Mr. 1. C. A. Hislop, as j head of the E.P.S. services, said that generally speaking the blackout was extremely good, and very mu. h better than the previous one. A similar report was made by the pilot of an observation plane which circled the city, i though he said that some lights were visible. It was agreed by ali 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 head-lamps and even tail-lights.