FURTHER BLACKOUT TEST

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 118, 22 May 1942, Page 4

FURTHER BLACKOUT TEST

WANGANUI PREPARATIONS Authority for the E.P.S. organiser, Mr. I. Manley, to arrange tor a further blackout test before July 7 was given by the Wanganui E.P.S. Executive Committee at a special meeting last night. It is possible that in the meantime a dispersal test, will be hold in the business portion of the Nir. G. P. Hawkins said wardens did not use shielded blackout torches during the test on May 10. This should be rectified. Inspector J. A. Dempsey, Controller of the Law and Order Section, said he did not think there was a specimen of the proper blackout torch to be found in Wanganui. He stressed the difficulties experienced by wardens moving about dark streets in 1 he course of their duties and commented that information should be obtained as to wnat was done in other centres. Mr. Manley said that if a torch were covered with biow n paper, with a small slit in the centre, or the reflector was removed from the torch and reversed, the problem might, be overcome. Only those wardens who had to should carry torches, he added. Mr. 11. R. Beauchamp, chief warden of the Law and Order Section, said some people on their way home from church on the Sunday night in question possibly used torches. The depub’-chairman, Mr. J. J. Scott, said the organiser would communicate with the E.P.S. authorities in Wellington and ascertain the type of torches used in blackout trials.