REDUCING LIGHTING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 February 1942, Page 2

REDUCING LIGHTING

ENFORCEMENT IN MASTERTON WARDENS APPOINTED. TRIAL BLACKOUT IN NEAR FUTURE. During the next three weeks Masterton householders are expected to comply with the provisions of the reduced lighting restrictions, which are now in force throughout the Wairarapa area. Wardens will be able to give advice to householders as to the best and most economical way of conforming with the regulations. A trial blackout is to be made in the near future. All the necessary wardens have been appointed. The Reduced Lighting Committee at a meeting held last night, decided to put in hand immediately the shrouding of street lights, in conformity with the type of shroud approved by the committee. It was anticipated that the whole of the Masterton street lighting system would be completed in about three weeks’ time. A meeting of all district wardens and wardens, numbering about 150, was held in the Masterton Social Hall last night. The Mayor, Mr T. Jordan, explained that Mr W, Kemp had been appointed chief warden, and had in turn appointed seven district wardens and sufficient wardens to cover the seven zoned areas in Masterton. The number of wardens in each of the seven districts varied according to the size of the area and the length of streets. Mr Jordan stressed the need of wardens having patience, good nature, tact and a good temper in carrying out their duties in advising householders on the requirements of the reduced lighting regulations. He stated that it would take three weeks for the street lights to be shielded and in that time it was expected that the public, under the guidance and instruction of the wardens, would also conform to the regulations as far as their homes were concerned. The District Lighting Controller, Mr George Brown, congratulated Mr Kemp upon the energetic manner in which he had appointed his wardens and those who had taken up their duties. He proceeded to give an outline of the duties of wardens in relation to lighting restrictions, which wore necessary as a precautionary measure not only in the local aspect but also as regards the Dominion as a whole. He wished to see the regulations enforced uniformly and justly but firmly. Wardens, he said, must respect the rights of property owners and had no right of entry in premises. If wardens could show householders how they could improvise, at small cost, an effective method of conforming to the regulations that action would be welcomed. Every warden should familiarise himself with the buildings within his beat. The Mayor thanked Mr Brown' for the trouble he had taken in organising the work respecting lighting.