EMERGENCY WORK EXPLAINED

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23541, 20 January 1942, Page 3

EMERGENCY WORK EXPLAINED

O PUBLIC MEETING' AT RANGIORA The working of the various sections of the Emergency Precautions Services in Rangiora. and the duties of citizens in times of emergency were explained fully at a public meeting in the Rangiora Town Hall last evening. Disappointment at the small attendance was expressed by the Mayor, and chairman of the central executive (Mr C. W. Tyler). An apology for his unavoidable absence was received from the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes. . , An outline of the complete scheme was given by Mr Tyler, followed by detailed explanations by the controllers of the various sections. Mr Tyler said that the work was now well under way. members of all sections undergoing thorough training. Hospital arrangements had been made, fire fighting auxiliaries were being trained, supply personnel had had several actual working trials, auxiliary police met regularly, and were now fully instructed, the town had been formed into sections for wardens, and for water, sewerage, gas and electricity services, supplies of emergency equipment had been either obtained or earmarked. and depots had been allocated for the different sections. It was the duty of residents to be fully prepared to deal witlj fires, and sand was available for textinguishing incendiary bombs. Shovels and rakes could also be supplied. It was important. Mr Tyler continued, that the black-out regulations should be complied with and that one room in the house should be blacked-out completely. To stop a sky-glow all blinds should be drawn every night. Questionnaires had been sent out, and as a result the position was known about the accommodation of refugees, portable wireless sets, and torches and hurricane lamps. The activities of (he sections were reported by the controllers as follows: -Supply. Mr F. T. Ager; medical. Dr. A. P, Colter and Nurse B. K. Merton; communications and messengers. Mr A. L. Bell; transport, Mr J. P. Palmer; lighting. Mr A. Buckingham: wardens. Mr C. S. Ayers; works and fire, Mr F. E. Martyn; police. Sergeant O. P. McEnlee; * entertainments, press, and radio, Mr C. Haigh; records and finance, Mr L. J. Conder.