WAIRARAPA’S BLACKOUT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 April 1942, Page 2

WAIRARAPA’S BLACKOUT

COMPARISON WITH OTHER CENTRES. DISCUSSION AT POWER BOARD MEETING. Unfavourable criticism of the blackout restrictions as they were enforced in Wellington was passed at yesterday’s meeting of the Wairarapa Electrict Power Board. A letter was read at the meeting from the electricity controller, Mr F. W. Kissell, regarding the emergency precautions service. “If we would care for a recommendation about our blackout, we can easily have it,” said Mr F. C. Daniell. “Folk from Christchurch, Wellington, the Hutt, Palmerston North, Wanganui, Napier and Hastings have all been through here, and have stated that the blackout in the Wairarapa is very much better than in their own areas.”

The secretary-manager, Mr G. Brown: “I am going to see Mr Kissell about this matter. It makes things very difficult for us—”

Mr J. W. Colquhoun: “Look at Wellington. The place is a blaze of light compared with the Wairarapa. The people there simply won’t do it. And look at our camps. During a blackout period I went to see a camp. Six windows were blazing with light. Then when our wardens go round stirring people up, they say, ‘What about the camps?’ ”

Mr Brown: “So far, army people have endeavoured to co-operate with us. They may not have been successful always, but that is not always their fault. However, it does make it very difficult for our wardens—they are having it thrown up at them all the time.” Mr Brown explained that the camp referred to by Mr Colquhoun was not at that time included in the blackout area, which was confined to the borough.