BOROUGH PLANS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20079, 27 October 1939, Page 6

BOROUGH PLANS

USES IN EMERGENCY BREAKDOWN OF SERVICES RESTORATION SCHEMES - SUGGESTIONS ADOPTED Recommendations that plans of the Gisborne district should be prepared for use in assisting the work of committees were made last evening by Mr. F. Matthewson, and his suggestions were adopted by the meeting of the Gisborne executive committee of the emergency organisation.

There were present Mr. R. F. Gambrill, acting chairman, Dr. Nina Muir, Dr. A. L. Singer, Messrs. O. G. Thornton, E. R. Thomas, T. C, Thompson, L. Balfour, A. S. Muir, A. Cook, L. Miles, Matthewson, J. Kane, J. Gardiner, F. Tolerton, A. M. Robertson. L. W. Anderson. A. T. Webber, K. F. Jones, and the registrar, Mr. W. M. Jenkins. An apology was received from the chairman, Mr. D. W. Coleman. M P.

A lengthy report of the work of the power and gas committee was made by Mr. Matthewson. who gave details of the arrangements that had been made and the duties that were to he carried out by the employees of the power board and gas company and electricians in the event of an earthquake or other catastrophe occurring in Gisborne. The restoring of powerin the mains could be carried out automatically or completed within 24 hours.

Arrangements For Emergency

If a plan of the borough were prepared, it would be of assistance to the emergency committees, because it would show the points where it would be necessary to get the power to immediately, such as the hospitals, emergency hospital at the showground, doctors’ residences where would be established first aid posts, petrol pumps, and garages doing repair work.

In a serious emergency, where all lines had been brought down, Mr. Matthewson said that one feeder would be constructed to the north, from the station, and one to the south, connecting as they went with the various emergency stations. Finally, they would be joined up to form a ring main. The plans would he invaluable to the men carrying out the work to show them the emergency points without delay, and they could be used also by other committees to show them where light, telephones and first aid supplies would be required.

Light From Battery Sets

Another preparatory measure would be the ascertaining of what power would be required for emergency points, and also the lighting requirements. Electricians would be avail-' able for the setting up of battery sets and small lamps for use in hospitals and other headquarters. Special protection of the fuel oil dumps and coal supplies would be required from the fire brigade.

An extensive report was also read by Mr. Matthewson on the investigation that had been made by a sub-commit-tee of electricians. Messrs. J. W. Clark, C. W. Izod, and A, O. Clare. When the reports were adopted the electricians were commended on the effort they had put into the work and the keen interest that they were taking in the emergency committee’s task.

Dealing with the gas company’s report, Mr. Matthewson said he had advice from Mr. A. W. Condon that the company had a manually-operated auxiliary that could be placed in operation within three days and would be able to take over the full summer load or two-thirds of the winter load.

Accommodation on Showgrounds

It was reported that the medical committee had estimated that the Poverty Bay A. and P. Association showgrounds would accommodate 1500 people in shelter. It was not expected that that amount of accommodation would be required, and the suggestion was made that a refugee camp could also be_ formed on the grounds. Dr. Singer said that provision would, be made, in an emergency, to establish an emergency hospital on the showgrounds with an accommodation for between 400 and 500 people.

Speaking on behalf of women’s organisations, Dr. Muir said that arrangements had been made to cater for the evacuation of 800 children from Gisborne if that was necessary, and the women’s institutes required to know if the committee wished them to continue with the work of finding homes for women and children in the country in the event of an emergency. Mr. L. W. Anderson said that there were 4000 children and 3000 women in the town area and that a problem would Joe presented in the transport of that number.

It was agreed by members that it would be desirable to have accommodation for the women and children in the country in the event of it being impossible to establish a refugee camp near town.

Dr. Muir reported that only a small district had yet been explored by the women's organisation.

A decision 'was made that it would be desirable if the women interested in the work would continue with their arrangements for evacuation.