SUBURBS RUSH

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 134, 9 June 1942, Page 5

SUBURBS RUSH

TO BUILD SHELTERS

Lessons Learned When Japs.

Shelled Sydney

United Press Association.—Copyright. Rec. 2 p.m. SYDNEY, this day. The sensation cailsed by the Japanese shelling of the eastern suburbs in the night remained the sole topic of conversation late to-night, when the residents of the beach suburbs had generally completed preparations for their individual safety in the event of a further raid. Those who had neglected to protect windows or provide themselves with some form of home shelter set about the task to-day with a zeal that surprised their more cautious neighbours. The Minister of National Emergency Services, Mr. HefTron, commented on the lesson which the raid had taught those who were sceptical about shatter-proofing their windows. He said windows which had been treated with adhesive tape had fared much better than those which had not. It is estimated that more than a dozen enemy shells were fired, but most of them fell harmlessly into the harbour. When the first of the enemy shells screamed ovc the suburbs the gun crews rushed to action stations wearing pyjamas and great coats. The coastal defence guns did not cease firing until 2.45 a.m. The sole casualty in Sydney was a man who was injured when a shell passed through a wall of his flat. His leg was broken by falling bricks. He is an electrical engineer by profession. He came to Australia as a refugee from Germany five years ago. National Emergency Service wardens, whd were quickly at their posts in both Sydney and Newcastle, made rounds of the districts and ordered people to put out all their lights. People in their night attire went to the shelters, taking with them warm coverings and food. The alert sirens were sounded in all Sydney suburbs and the belief prevailed that an air raid was imminent. The main task of the wardens was to remove from the streets people curious to have a "grandstand" view of the excitement. There was no panic. Immediate steps will be taken to have repairs made to the Sydney and Newcastle residences damaged by the submarine shelling. This has been stated by the chairman of the Australian War Damages Commission, Mr. A. W. Coles. "I am very sorry to find," he said, "that few householders who suffered in the attacks took the precaution of taking out war damage insurance on their furniture and personal effects. These people will thus receive no compensation for the damage sustained. I hope their misfortune will show the vital necessity for everyone to insure their belongings against war damage." War damage insurance of property in Australia is compulsory. Insurance of furniture and chattels is left to the discretion of individual owners.