LIGHTING RESTRICTIONS IN ENGLAND.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 136, 24 January 1916, Page 2

LIGHTING RESTRICTIONS IN ENGLAND.

A Novel Case. The somewhat curious case of two Army officers being charged with the offence of having too much light at a recruiting meeting, contrary to the lighting regulations of the Secretary of the State, received attention from the Dorking (Surrey) Bench of Magistrates recently, Oapt. Moon and Bandmaster Adams, of the 2nd Queen's Surrey Regiment, being the defendants. Police Supt Coleman said about 7 p m. on Oct. 27th he saw a military band performing outside the White Horse Hotel, Dorking, defendant Adams conducting. There were from 12 to lo lights placed at such an angle as to cause a large diffusion of light skyward and to also have the effect of lighting up the front of the hotel above the horizontal. In his opinion the lights would be a guide to aircraft, and a splendid target. He told Capt. Moon that the lights must be put out, and the Captain replied tbat he knew the order as to lighting, and could override it. Witness said they were not under martial law, and therefore he could not.

Captain Moon said the band was sent to Dorking on Oct. 27th to aid in recruiting efforts. Had the lights beep put out as requested, the band could rot have played at all, and therefore would have been useless. When he reported the matter to Col. Wray he was told that he had been sent there for recruiting purposes, and therefore it must go on. In the circumstances the police had no right to interfere with him.

Wm. Adams said he was bandmaster of the '2nd Queen's, aud he received orders to proceed to Dorking for a spepial recruiting effort. 001. Wray contended that the regulations allowed the military authorities to have certain discretionary powers. Whenever one spoke to the Superintendent, he always said there was no martial law in this country. If that was the way things went on, thou the sooner they had martial law the better. It was absurd to protest that thtf lamps were shining skyward, for the band could not play if they were. They might just as well have said that the big drum was dangerous because, it could be heard by the Zeppelins (laughter).

Tho magistrates entirely disagreed with the contention that the military authorities could override the civil authority in a caso like that, and ordered the two defendants to pay Is. coats each.