AIR RAID SHELTER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24833, 5 February 1942, Page 4

AIR RAID SHELTER

ALBERT PARK TUNNEL PROVISION FOR 20,000 PERSONS (PA) AUCKLAND, Feb. 4. The Albert Park and Constitution Hill tunnel shelter scheme for 20,000 people has been approved by the Government. The practical effect of this decision is that the Government will find 75 per cent, of the cost, which is estimated at £120,000, and the remainder will be provided by the local bodies contributing to the upkeep of the Emergency Precautions Service in Auckland. . The Mayor (Mr J. A. C. Allum) said that surveys on the site were still in progress, but he hoped it would be possible to start the work very shortly. It was believed that if three shifts were employed it would be possible to complete the scheme in about four months. The tunnels would begin to be usable as shelters at a fairly early stage, and the accommodatipn would increase as the work went on.

Plans, prepared under the direction of the city engineer, Mr Tyler, provide for groups of galleries arranged in gridiron fashion under the Albert Park and Bowen avenue reserve. Each group will have cross-galleries at intervals so that there will be no dead ends in the shelter. The galleries are to be large enough to take.a wooden bench on each side with standing room between for use when all the seating is occupied. Electric light and sanitation will be installed.