LIFE UNDERGROUND

Waikato Times, Volume 129, Issue 21532, 22 September 1941, Page 4

LIFE UNDERGROUND

SHELTER IN CHALK CAVES PEOPLE’S WONDERFUL SPIRIT Writing from England, Mr W. C. Pearce, father of Miss Ivy Pearce, of Hamilton, says:— “Night raids don’t worry the big happy family of 14,000 who sleep in the famous Chalk Caves at Chislehurst. I knew the caves before the war (mushrooms were grown there until a parasite became troublesome), but during a visit last night I found many changes had been wrought by the ‘cave men.’ There are no blackout problems 130 feet below the ground and volunteers have rigged up a complete electric light system. Air conditioning is by electric fans and I noticed that any dampness there used to be has now disappeared. Candles attached to the chalk walls about the bunks, gay-coloured blankets, bright jerseys worn by some of the women, and here and there a child’s doll, give the scene a fairyland touch. Advance Booking “Mr Charles Quarrell, a member of the Caves Committee, told me that most of the cave-dwellers are from South East London but a good many come from places much farther afield. One family sent a telegram to say that they were coming to the caves from Truro, in Cornwall. There are few rules, but these are strict. There is no admission or re-entry after nine o’clock without a late pass. Young people have to be artached to a resident family. There must be absolute silence after 10.30 p.m. Breaking a rule twice means eviction from the caves. Church and Cinema “I liked this tribute to the people. You couldn’t find a better-behaved crowd anywhere, and fears in the early days that there would be much illness have proved groundless. “It is really like a complete village in the 22 miles of chalk tunnelling. There is a caves church, 120 feet below ground. You are all welcome, says the notice. Services are conducted by the rector of Chislehurst, Canon J. R. Lumb. One Sunday last year the Bishop of Rocester, Dr. C. M. Chavasse, preached. Then they have their own cinema, canteens, a tobacco shop and a barber (he was bombed out of his London shop). “Bombs landed overhead one night, * but not a piece of chalk fell. No wonder it is a case of house full at the caves now. The authorities did try to close them but the people i would not hear of it.”