LONDON BELLS SILENCED.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1663, 18 January 1917, Page 4

LONDON BELLS SILENCED.

CHIMES COST OWNERS £2O

For having permitted Sir John Bennett’s famous bells, in Cheapside to ring and the clock to chime after dark, George Sainsbury was at Mansion House fined £2O. The fine was paid by the company. Sainsbury was summoned for having allowed the bells to be rung and the clock to strike so as to be audible at such a distance as to be capable of serving ns a guide to hostile aircraft.

Police-Sergeant Wood said that at 11 p.ra. on October 31st he was in •Cheupside and heard the bells over the premises of Sir John Bennett, Limited, chime. The watchman was new to the post, and had no control over the bells, and they continued to chime throughout the night. Next morning he saw Sainsbury, who said, “I clean forgot to disconnect the clappers.” The Lord Mayor: It is a very serious thing. The bells would indicate to any aircraft coming along that they were in Cheapside. Mr Russell, managing director, said that Sainsbury, who had been 40 years with the company, had forgotten to stop the mechanical clock on the night in question. The Lord Mayor suggested that the mechanical clock should for the present cease striking altogether, and Mr Bussell assented.

Police-Inspector Hewitt said the company had been twice warned previously. As there was no one to stop the clock, it would have had to be smashed by the fire brigade if a hostile raid had been expected. Bells were still being rung at eventide at several city churches, and incumbents, on being warned, said they did not know the regulations. Mr Douglas, chief clerk, said they had no right to plead ignorance, as the regulations were first issued in March, and extended in May last.