CAVES AT AUCKLAND

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 296, 16 December 1941, Page 5

CAVES AT AUCKLAND

W’LL SHELTER THOUSANDS AUCKLAND PREPARATIONS FOR EMERGENCY. Press As.*n * Auckland, Dec. 14 All patients at the Wilson Home for Crippled Children. Takapuna, have now been evacuated, either to their own homes or to the Dingwall Presbyterian Orphanage. Papatoetoe. About 30 of the children went to thenhomes and lhe remaining 30 went to the Orphanage. It was explained thar the step was pureh precautionary e* also was the removal of 25" patients from Auckland Hospital to their own homes or to the emergency hospital at the Teachers’ Training College. By this step the Board had been able to create an additional 250 beds at the hospital for emergency use. As a result of the national emergent y W’ellesley Street East primary school has been taken over by thr military authorities So far as can be ascertained, this is the only school in the Northern .Mlilarv District which the authorities lonlemplate taking ovei in the meantime. While lhe first tangible evidence of its act lilies to safeguard the Civil population against the effects of a sudden air attack were to be seen in the Nlit trenches, appearing m public parKs and private gardens, the Central Committee of the Auckland Metropolitan Area Emergency Precaution Service sal long hours over the week-end to give a quick impetus lo lhe work being undertaken to meet the emergency. A further series of decisions were announced by the Mayoi and Chief Warden. Mr. J. A. C. Allum. late in the day. "In an emergent}. ' he said. "the quick dispersal of crowds in congested areas will be essential, and the weekend has been devoted to the preparation of plans for the dispersal of the crowds in Queen Streel and the adjoining streets." "Arising out of the order that all member.* wf lhe E.P.S. nuisl not leave Auckland without the prior consent of thrii superior officer," said Mr. Alium when announcing another important decision." there appears to be an impression thal all people should ’ remain* in the city. This is quite incorrect and in fact, it will be ot great help if mother* with children carry out their holiday plans. It will also be an advantage to the Railway Department and will ensure more comfortable travelling if they begin ’o leave right away and do not follow the usual practice of all going over a period o! one or two days.” "With the object of helping mothers to do litis, added Mr. Allum. "1 haw requested Mr. W. J. Campbell, (hair- : man of the Auckland Education Board, to close all pr.mary schools on Tuesday. Mt. Allum also announced lhe decision of picture theatre proprietors to ( lose all Queen Street thenties at 9.30 p.m. This decision will come Into operation as from to-morrow, and earlier closing will be arranged in future, if it should be necessary or desirable. Mr. Alum also emphasised that the digging of slit trenches did not represent lhe sum total of lhe proposed steps for the safeguarding of people from injur}. Other proposals for their protection were receiving attention and vvpuld be put in hand Immediately the decisions were made Caves capable of sheltering many thousands of people are to be provided with electric light and seats by the Mount Eden Borough Council. Some of these caves have been closed up for many years lo prevent adven-

turous children from losing themselves. and to-day volunteer workers spent many hours opening them up again.