NEW BOMB SHELTERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23272, 15 February 1939, Page 13

NEW BOMB SHELTERS

TEST MADE IN ENGLAND GOOD PROTECTION CLAIMED TRIAL WITH HIGH EXPLOSIVE (Received February 14, 0.30 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON, Fob. 13 The results were made public to-day of a test carried out at the experimental ranges at Shoeburyness which showed that the steel air raid shelters, the free distribution of which to families in the lower income groups is expected to commence at the end of the month, will, if sunk in the ground and covered with earth, afford protection to the occupants from high explosive bombs falling within 30 feet. In to-day's experiment a 5001b. medium-case high explosive bomb was electrically detonated. Although the detonation tore a huge crater in tho earth and practically demolished a substantially-built structure representing a row of two-storey houses, the shelters remained intact, although the brickwork from the blown-up buildings crashed down upon them.

£1,000,000 SCHEME FIFTY HOLIDAY CAMPS (Received February 14, 6.30 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON, Feb. 13 In connection with air raid precautions, Sir John Anderson, Minister of National Defence, announced to-day that the. approval of Parliament would be sought for an immediate start on a programme costing £1,000,000 sterling for the provision of 50 holiday camps, which in war time would bo used to supplement billeting under the evacuation schemes.