AUCKLAND’S AIR-RAID SHELTERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 17, 21 January 1942, Page 4

AUCKLAND’S AIR-RAID SHELTERS

TUNNELS TO HOLD 20,000 (Press Assn.) Auckland, Jan. 19 A scheme to provide deep air-raic shelters for more than 20.000 people in tunnels under Albert. Park anc Constitution Hill is to be submitted tc the Government through the Public Works Department by the Aucklanc ’ City Council and the Auckland Central Committee of the Emergency Precautions Service. The Mayor and chief warden, Mr J. A. C. Allum, said that various proposals were under discussion anc plans for the scheme, prepared by ’ the Works Technical Group Commit--1 tee, were nearing completion and ar early decision was expected. The scheme is complementary to the one recently announced for making public shelters in 35 buildings in the central city area. If it is accepted by the Government the latter will provide 75 per cent, of the cost under the provisions of the Emergency Shelter Regulations. The proposed shelters consist of three systems of timbered tunnels two under Albert Park and one under Constitution Hill, with about < j dozen entrances, distributed so as tc i give easy access from various direc- , tions. The scheme provides for linking the two groups of tunnels under Albert Park with each other, and by , long connecting tunnels with the Constitution Hill group. This arrange- ’ ment is meant to ensure that if some . of tne entrances were closed by bomb ' explosions a number of others would be available for egress, if necessary at a distance. Mechanical ventilation, sanitation, and electirc lighting arc important, features of the scheme. The steepness of the hillsides ensures ample head cover at a moderate distance inside each entrance. As a preliminary to converting the old Parnell railway tunnel into a shelter, tracks have been cut out leading to both portals from nearby streets. The first work required to be done in the tunnel is to move certain electrical wires and cables that now run through it.