EVACUATION PLANS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 55, 6 March 1942, Page 4

EVACUATION PLANS

CASTLECLIFF AREA PRECAUTIONARY SCHEME. A comprehensive plan for the evacuation of the civilian population of Castle Jiff in an emergency lias been drawn up by twelve E.P.S. law and order set Hon wardens living tn mat area, under the direction ol tneir chief warden, Captain b. G. ■ Taylor, and with the approval of Mr. H. R. Beauchamp, head warden of the section in Wanganui. The plan, which, in its linai form, was drafted • by Mr. .\. G. Armstrong, has been before the new E.B.S. sub-committee ■ dealing with the evacuation and has > oeen approved in its entirety. The wardens base their plan on the . fact that in tne area there is a population of 1040, but lhat most ol the , males will be engaged on defence duties, leaving only women ana children and tnq aged and inlirm lo be dealt with, it is hoped to obtain petrol lor cars to cans the aged, sick , ana very young, but it is planned to , move others across country, where the going is easy. Evacuation is to be in three phases. If the alarm comes while children are not al school families will go to places of assembly on the landward side ol the ridge behind Cornloot and Polson I Streets, one in the grounds of the Westbourne Side School and the other i in the Girl Guides ground, off Polson . Street. At each plate there are large , trees to snelter people from air on- ■ servation and also from weather. There is water laid on and the build- ) mgs will be available at night Lot • sheltering Hie sick and the inlirm. However, both sites are only temporI ary places of assembly. The plan , provides for residents in the area from . Rangiora Street to the west to go • to Hie Westbourne School and those ■ on the east to go lo the camp. Procedure For Children. : If the alarm comes while the children are al school the pupils will lake shelter in lupin and marram 1 grass, the wardens oeing ol the opinion tnal the trenches snould not De used. Under the direction of the teat hers the children will move to the places of assembly, it being suggested lhat the movement be practised, with each child allotted a place at the assembly points so that his parents can come for him. It is also suggested that parents make themselves lamJiar with the assemby places. Pupils from the Catholic Scnoul in Cornioot Streel and from the Castlecliff School will go to the Girl Guides camp and those at the Westbourne Side School will go lo appointed places in the school grounds. Trenches, if considered necessary, could be dug under the trees. It is pointed out tnal the Westbourne School is lor infa its, while the Catholic School and the Castleclifi School contain both infants and older children. Thus fam: lies might be divided. Parents wo.iid naturally go to their younger ciiildren. Older children would be in the charge ol i- ; chers and other parents <■ > temporarily “adopt” unattached children. Secondary school pupiis > Irom Castlccliff, if at school, (.mid go to selected points isc.vher? in Wan- ’ The waj'den’s plan provides for the ' second phase lo he a movement from ’ the places of assembly lo the Margaret Watt Home pine plantation, less I than a mile away and adjoining the ! Belmont golf course. This would give 1 shelter lor the whole of the population of Castlccliff without crowding. Immediately past the places of assembly ' there is half a mile of open ground. 1 but it is suggested that if this is not cros.-md before the enemy becomes active, it can be crossed at dawn or 1 dusk. After the half-mile of open ground there is ample cover. On reaching the plantation the children will go to pre-appointed places and il is suggested that this; movement be also prepared for, with both parents and children practising it at the week-ends. E.P.S. personnel will be stationed at various points to direct and control during both phases. The Third Phase. The third phase will be a movement from the Orpnanage plantation to some other point in Wanganui, to m in with the general evacuation plan. It is suggested that CasHeclih people snould arrange to go lo friends or relatives, preferably in the country. Clothes could be sent to such places in advance to Lighten the Durden of tnose walking at tne time of the evacuation. It is suggested that Aramoho Parx might be a suitable concentration point for people with no relatives or iriends lo go to. The wardens estimate that provision will have lo be made to deal with 150 aged, ill, or very young persons, requiring 25 cars, which are available in Castlccliff if petrol is provided. The route to be followed :»• the cars has been surveyed and the E.P.S. executive has been asked to arrange lor a monthly allowance oi two gallons of petrol lo keep the cars in running order and also two gallons in a sealed container lor emergency | use. | The wardens point out that the I notice to move may be very short and ! urge people to prepare a supply oi I food, bottle or can of water, and a i warm coat or blanket. People, especi- ' ally children, should wear neutral- | coloured clothing to blend with the I lupin or marram grass. On the move : they should be warned not to show I lights or strike matches, especially in ■ the plantations.