1940-07-09 — Page 8

PAGE 8-HONGKONG DAILY PRESS

SINGAPORE BLACKOUT A BIG SUCCESS

But Many Lessons Learnt.

1

Singapore took its blackout more seriously last week than it had ever done previously. Except for a number of advertis- ing signs which someone had forgotten"to switch, off, and a few other lights left on by people who failed to realise that the instructions were meant to be obeyed, there was as complete,`a darkness over Singapore' during the curfew period as the au- thorities could have wished, writes a Malaya Tribune reporter. If it showed that Singapore voluntary officers and ARP. de-.

mên Apartment staf

at work, could effectively hide from sir rald within a few minutes of They worked in a fever, of con- the alarm being given, the black centration from the minute the out also showed that the local air raid alarm signal from Fort AR.P. organisation was both Canning put their organisation1 "willing and emcient."

into gent.

The night's experience, how- aver, proved that little mat- ters of detail in, the running of Singapore's passive defence corps, could be improved on. For example, both wardens and headquarters staff found difficulty

For half an hour messages were received. and sert out and the new telephone exchange set up as part of the A.R.P. headquarters equipment, was taxed to its limit.

Three bombers "ralded" Sloga- pore. The sound of their engines

GENERAL

N

TALKING THINGS over

INDIA WANTS

in identifying "A" stations or "" was picked up. by the sound loca- NO DISHONEST

stations. "C" stations

OF "D" tors of the anti-aircraft batteries stations over the telephone with some minutes before the planes the result that there was some themselves were in a position to duplication of messages received let loose their bombs, and instructions issued.

INTENTION

Remarking that although there

INDEPENDENCE

SIXTH COLUMN

FORMED IN KUALA LUMPUR

There is a

very strong move- ment afoot in Kuala Lumpur, supported by many leading citie zens to form a "Sixth Column,”

Considerable press attention has been given to it and during the past two days publte interest in | the suggestion has been running

high.

A "Sixth Colum would, ot.. course, have the function of.com- bating in every way possible evi;} dent signs of our enemy's "war of nerves." It would aim to restore confidence to those who are ex- [hibiting at any time the least symptoms of faint-heartedness, or who may hate temporarily for- gotten that the British are 3 virile race, never in their history having proved incapable of self- defence. It would also, arreat ru- mour and scaremongering.

THE RULES

Rules for "Six Columnists" tre these:

All members should engage in the NEW DELHI, July 8 (Reuter-war effort and encourage others FROM

the AA batteries the was no doubt that the method The Working Committee of Con-¡ to do the same. For future blackouts it is pos- signal went to Fort Canning and used by Frericks to obtain the gress har adopted a resolution, de- They should keep fit physically sible that this alphabetical de-after A.R.P. headquarters had money was shady, Mr. J. G. Rap- [manding a British declaration, and mentally. signation of group centres will be been informed. the sirens, wardens paport, the Stugapore Third Mag-giving India. complete indepen- They should live frugally, done away with and familiar code whistles and loudspeakers of the strate, said that the prosecutiondence, and as a first step, that They should be kind and consi- "names or the Army sound alpha- | public broadcast system, sounded had not proved that Frericks had Britain shall constitute a Providerate in their judgment of our

bok may be used,

the alarm.

cheated Mr. P. Given-Wilson as bestonal National Government

allies and friends. PROGRAMMES INTERRUPTED

had given him" an I.O.U. for the The resolution declares that if money, and granted him a dis- there were measures adopted in charge, at the conclusion of the Congress, they will be able to case for the prosecution.

throw full weight into the effort. for an effective organisation of the country's defence.

was

For the first time, radio listaners were informed of the "air raid" by the Singapora station which interrupted its programme to broadcast the sirens and later the "All clear,"

Cyril W. Frericks was charged with having cheated Mr. P. Given Wilson by dishonestly inducing him to give him $55 as a 10 per cent. advance commission on $550 for the sale of Mr. Wilson's car.

TO SELL CAR

Another improvement. which Headquarters stati unanimously agreed was very necessary some JORDA whereby the con- fusion in the office arising out of the multitude of telephone - calls made during an air raid, be #hanged for some better system. [..

In this respect, it is under- Criticisms of the previous black stood that the Post Office, who out alarms during which a large have had considerable experience | part of Singapore was unable to. In the settling of a similar pro-hear either the sirens or the war- blem in their telegraph offices, dens whistles was thus met, and According to the prosecution. might be consulted to bring about even further improvements will conducted by Mr. D. R. Cowie, it "an improvement in the A.R.P. be made by extensions during the was stated that Frericks visited

headquarters, staff ofaces.

Mr. Wilson who wanted to sell his next few months,

Pedestrians gave the wardens ear. unnecessary trouble by roaming Frericks was alleged to have the rosda during the curfew. It informed him he had a buyer in is emphasised that this should not a “Captain" McQuillan at Changi occur in the next blackout and and made several trips to Changi wardens have instructions to see in Mr, Wilson's car; that the rule 1 not disobeyed.

A.R.P. HEADQUARTERS Nerve centre of the blackout and the air raid, was the A.R.P. headquarters where there were more than 26 voluntary officers be- sidea A.R.P. olerks and officers.

I was allowed to watch these

go through. Frericks asked Mr. Wilson for $55. It was given to

htm and Frericks made out an LO.U. for the amount. The money was to be returned if the deal did not go through.

They should' contribute to the cause by every means of money, mind and muscle.

They should study """moral re- armament, that is, they should endeavour in their personal lives to make themselves worthy of the Victory and peace that shall be.

They should preserve a steady aim towards a peace which shall be just and durable.

The Juggestion for the formation of such a column was first made Later, Mr. Wilsch" discovered by a triumvirate of citizens," one a that there was no "Captain" Mc-. Government servant, another a Quillan at Changl, but that there member of the business communi- was a Lieutenant McQuillan. ty, the third a representative of.

As the money was not returned an organised religion. and the deal did not coite Membership would be open to through a report was made to the all loyal British subjects, irrespec- police and Frericks was arrested, tive of race, creed or class, who Mr. A. V. L. Davies defended | were willing to accept unreserved-

ly the maxims set out above.

The day before the deal was to Frericks,...

TUESDAY, JULY 9, 1940.

SANDEMAN

SHERRY & PORT Obtainable everywhere.

WEATHER

REPORT Hongkong Royal Observatory

10 am, July 8. Barometer (at sea level), 29.38 ins Temperature, 57 F Humidity, ai per cent. Wind Direction: W. Wind Force (Beaufort), 3

80 F.

:

HONG KONG TIDE TABLE

From 9 to 15 July 1940.

HIGH. WATEZ.

Month.

Days of

Weak

Data of

Temperature; maximum yesterday. Thes Temperature; minimum last night, Wed 10

82 F.

44

JJ

Height

LOW WATEK

Hong

Kong

Standard

Height:

Hong

Kong

Standard

Time,

Timo

b. L

toh, m.

00 24

14 €

04 57

12 7

11 30

73

18 35

01:00

49.

01 62 13.9

'19 24

& A

19 16

11 0

01 58

50

06 55

30

13 26

60

30 09

16

02 48

183

08 20

3 1

1445 $3

20 48 1

13

03 42 16.11

10'19

12.9

46

£1 38

12 6

Sun. 14

Mon. 15

04 43

9

11 49

174548

$231

05 38 16 2

1301

93 30

Ramfall for 24 hrs. ending 10th Thar 11

today, nil

Fri 13 Total rainfall since January 1st.

71.85 ins. Against an average of, 41.63 Ins Sunset tonight. 7.11 p.m. Sunrise tomorrow, 5.45 a.m

4 pm, July 8, Barometer (at sea level), 29.30 ins. Temperature, 65 F. Humidity, 85 per cent. Wind Direction, CALM

:

19 19 4 11 Wind Force (Beaufort), 0. Maximum temperature, 88 F. Minimum temperature, 82 P Rainfall, nii.

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