SCHOOL SHELTERS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 56, 7 March 1942, Page 9

SCHOOL SHELTERS

MR. OUIXIVEX ANSWERED Comments on the construction of roofed shelters at the St. Helier's Bay School expressed by the Mayor of Takapuna, Mr. John Guiniven, in a letter, have drawn a response from the chairman of the St. Helier's Bay School Committee, Mr. R. E. Clarke. "It is to be regretted that people should rush Into print without seeing for themselves the particular work or thing they criticise," states Mr. Clarke, "and I think I am right in presuming that Mr. John Guiniven has not taken the trouble to see for himself the shelters, otherwise he would not make such a statement.

"The shelters meet with the unanimous approval of my committee, the Parents* Association and district E.P.S. wardens. Parents who had first of all criticised the scheme have expressed very definitely their approval of the shelters. I admit that they are not 100 per cent protection from a direct hit, but authorities independent of the Education; Board and Public Works Department j have advised that should a bomb drop in the centre of the playground It is unlikely that any child would be hurt. Even if one shelter was hit by a direct hit the children in the adjoining shelter, 30ft away, would in all probability escape serious injury.

"I express, on behalf of my committee and all allied to us at St. Helier's Bay, thanks to the Education Board and Public Works Department for the time and help given to us. My committee has always found the board sympathetic when we have put up to them a reasonable proposal and when we have told them what we are prepared to do to help a position they have always been right behind us. I will be pleased to conduct Mr. John Guiniven over the shelters if he will make an appointment."