Digest of stories from the Beds & Herts Saturday Telegraph: October 20th, 1917.

The inhabitants generally will read with satisfaction the official announcement in today's issue of the Telegraph [ and reproduced above] that a system of air raid warnings has been decided on for Luton.

On the occasion of the last aeroplane raid on London, and again last night when the Zepps ventured to again visit this country, the need of more drastic action was realised, and the Chief Constable and the Town Clerk are to be congratulated on the decision taken this morning to give the public better warning of the presence of enemy aircraft over the country, and an "all clear" intimation also by sirens.

What we desire to particularly emphasise is that immediately on the warning of three blasts of 15 seconds each on various sirens, all lights are to be extinguished.

In various parts of Bedfordshire last night the sound of exploding bombs could be heard. In spite of this and the fact that the regular and special constabulary were busy ordering all light out, it would appear that many people failed to realise the danger.

The inhabitants of Luton are not clearly given to understand that no laxity in the matter of lighting will be allowed. It is announced that legal proceedings will be taken against any person failing to extinguish all lights when the warnings are given, and people are also advised to remain indoors until all danger is over.

• Among several appointments made during this week appears the appointment of Mr Winston Churchill, as Minister of Munitions, of Mr H. C. B. Underdown, managing director of Commercial Cars Ltd, Luton, as Controller of the Agricultural Machinery Department.

• Capt Davis, of the Food Ministry, speaking at Cardiff today, says that no private or pleasure car would be seen on the streets after October without serious consequences to the owners. Tradesmen in the same business would be asked to exchange customers in restricted areas.

• An alarming discovery was made yesterday morning by the neighbours of Joseph Baker, an aged man of 87, who for many years has sold tailoring materials at a shop, No. 23 Lea Road. They found him in his bedroom in a critical condition, suffering from the effects of gas which had been escaping for some hours. On enquiry at the Bute Hospital this afternoon, our representative was informed that Mr Baker is progressing splendidly and should be able to leave the hospital in a few days.

• Another Lutonian to receive the Military Medal is Rifleman L. Barrett, son of Mr and Mrs E. Barrett, of 93 North Street, Luton. He enlisted in May 1915 and proceeded across the Channel last July, so he has soon distinguished himself in his four months service 'out there'. He belongs to the Headquarters Company, Runners Battalion and gained his decoration for "bravery under fire". He is 25 years old and was previously employed by Mr W. T. Challice, 60 Hastings Street, Luton.

• A strong letter was to be sent to three doctors by the Hitchin Rural District Council following 12 cases of scarlet fever at Peters Green that had gone unreported as infectious disease as they were misdiagnosed as German measles and not rechecked. The village school had since been closed and the disease had spread, including cases in Luton.

• News has been received by Mrs Price, of 20 Langley Road [now Latimer Road], Luton, that her husband, L-Cpl J. C. Price, was wounded on October 5th and is in hospital in France. He enlisted at the beginning of the war and has seen considerable service in France. He was formerly employed by Messrs Bagshawe & Co, Dunstable.

• A 65-year-old labourer from Langley Place pleaded guilty to "having three rabbits and a net" when he appeared before the Luton Borough Police Court this morning for a breach of the Poaching Prevention Act on October 17th. He had been chased by a police officer who saw him with the rabbits on Lawn Path in Stockwood Park. The man was fined 20 shillings for his 65th conviction, as it had been three years since he last appeared in court. The Chairman of the Bench hoped that he would in future stick to shoe repairing. The rabbits were sent for use at the Children's Hospital.