BLACKOUT IN BAY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 286, 24 March 1941, Page 5

BLACKOUT IN BAY

COASTAL TOWNS PREPARED LATE SHOPPING EFFECTED Lighting restrictions in Whakatane commenced to-day and : shortly the blackout in the Bay will involve all coastal towns and probably some of the inland ■ centres such as Te Puke. Not only will the towns be effected 1 # . but iarm houses will also be •embraced in the restrictions. This move involves the possibility of the abandonment of the ■ late shopping night and 1 this matter has already been discussed by one Chamber of Commerce, that being Tauranga. It is understood that already in some cities and larger towns firms have! found it not worth while remaining open until the late hour when, the lighting is ■ reduced to such an extent. To-day's Restriction. The scheme introduced as from 6 a.m. t<r*nay has as its object (1) completely obscuring all lights showing seawards and (2) eliminating sky-glow resulting from concentrated lighting. The instructions issued in the advertising columns of the BEACON on Friday give the following clauses of the scheme -as those to be observed. 1. Illuminated advertising si&ns to be disconnected, 2. Building floodlights to be disconnected. 3. Under verandah lights to be dis- ■ connected. 4. Gaseous discharge tubing ajul Incandescent advertising signs or •other illumination which can emit •glare or reflect light upward, to be •disconnected. 5. Street lighting or other outdoor lighting to be suitably shrouded so <is to prevent reflection on to the -■clouds or surrounding objects, or dis -connected where dircctly visible from the, sea. IRules for Private Homes. This is the programme which will ■■be put into operation to-day, and this evening will find the town partially blacked-out. To inconvenience residents as little as possible, the ■committee has arranged to delay <ome of the restrictions it considers .necessary; and not untiH Mondagj • next, will the regulations in regard to private homes be enforced. The clauses in the scheme which 'then will bo added will entail :—• 1. Under verandah lights to be disconnected. 2. Windows of industrial, commercial and domestic premises to be ■fitted with blinds or otherwise adequately dealt with to prevent the emission of light. 3. Doorways and entrances to be adequately screened against the emission of light. 4. Control of other such lighting to be dealt wuh as necessary to comply with the requirements of the Lighting Restrictions Emergency Regulations, 1941. 5. Light emitted from uncovered skylights to be adequately dealt •with. Street Lighting. In connection with the street lighting care is lc- be taken that the very minimum of light is lefr to ensure the safety of pedestrians. Experiments are at present being •carried out in Wellington on possible means of shading the lights so that no upwards glare is v>vade, -and thus if something suitable is •discovered then the street lighting may be brought back to a state of tnore convenience. Inspection of Area. To ascertain the result and efficiency of the measures, wardens •are to be appointed u,nder the Emergency and "these men will make observations «nd report to the committee. In Whakatine the Heads and Hilicresl ■are two sections of the Borough which will receive particular attention, not that they possess any military value, but that they may Ije a guide to raiders. Whether the restrictions will be applied further inland will depend upon circumstances, but it would not be unwise for everybody to be prepared for any eventuality. No Need For Alarm. When reviewing the position lai*son officers have stated that the information is not supplied with the "Idea of creating alarm, but rather that every person should take a ■stock of his surroundings that he may better be able to re-act to the of his country.

LOCAL RESOLUTION DECISION OF WHAKATANE BREEDERS It was decided at the meeting on Saturday that a resolution be forwarded from the South Bay of Plenty Breeders Club to the Council, and on the motion of Messrs D. O. Murray and T. W. Wardlaw it was carried unanimously "that it be recommended to the Council of the Jersey Breeders Association that it carry on with the scheme for the governing transfer of registered Jersey bulls at a time considered suitable, and also that it be recommended that three group testing records of similar range as the C.O.R. and O.H.T. be accepted for the Elite Register."