SHELTER TRENCHES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 296, 16 December 1941, Page 4

SHELTER TRENCHES

START IN WANGANUI

EMERGENCY PRECAUTIONS PKOTfrATION FOB CITY AKI \ Shelter trenches designed to provide protection in an emergency for people in the congested businrat area are to hr erected in Wanganui, and a start Mill be made this morning. This decision was reached h\ the Wanganui City Council «t a special meeting late yesterday afternoon, when the city engineer. Mr. L. F Row. was instruct rd to proceed with the work immediately. It is estimated that there ar< to 2(X<) people in the business adjacent to Victoria Avenue a” • ■I.- < tret r.-J some cases depending on the r and space available, will hr de to give up to a foot of head room people sitting on benches. As a preliminary, however, tier, which will afford maximum protr t for people in a crouching position he provided, hut when sufl trenches are available to meet ar emergency that may arise the) be deepened and enlarged. The main object at present > provision of protective cover f: " shell or bomb splinters for the max mum number of people in the shortest possible time. Trenches will be erected the St. Hill Street frontage of Cook s Gardens: in Queen’s Park, beginning on the lower levels adjacent to. hut clear of the Alexander Museum. : Moutoa Gardens: on the parking a <1 adjacent lo the Savage Cluh Hall: an ’ on the river hank between the T •> n Bridge and the boat sheds. The special meeting of the Civ Council followed a conference hetu • the council and the Wanganui F.\‘ tive of the EPS. organisation which the Mayor. Hon. W J. E «. f M L.C.. is chairman. The meeting was called as a roof the conference of Dominion EF " representatives in Wellington Thursday, when the gravity of rhe present situation in the Pacific a* stressed- Shelter trenches. part : .1larly in localities in close proximitto business areas, was considered an urgent question.

Correspondence from the Duet-tor of National Service. Mr. J S. Hunter Wellington, was read at the combined meeting in Wanganui yesterday, and a series of plans was received. Aftrthe E.P.S. Executive Committee .ad withdrawn, the council considered the immediate question of providing shelters in Wanganui. It was decided in the meant.me to

make immediate provision of shelter' which would protect people in a crouching position, but more comfortable accommodation will bv made available later. The proposed trench* > will be sub-divided into bays, providing accommodation fcr 15 to 20 - pie in each. In the event of one -» - tion of a trench being damaged, oil - r portions would not be affected

One of the difficulties in making a quick start with the work is the la k of certain materials, hut Mr. Row hes decided lo improvise with what materials he has on hand. Provis n is also being made for maintainng the trenches when completed and overcoming drainage difficulties. It was stressed that the City Council cannot undertake the con-truct >n of shelters for dwellings. Householders would be advised la!cd a> to the tvpe of shelter they should provide. The council, however, is concentrating on the tpsk of providing adequate protection for the main business area