AIR RAID RISKS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 February 1942, Page 4

AIR RAID RISKS

PROTECTION OF HOSPITALS STEPS DISCUSSED. POSITION IN THE WAIRARAPA. Precautions against air raid risks in hospitals were discussed by the Wairarapa Hospital Board at its meeting today. The board decided to communicate with, the Department of Health giving particulars of the steps propos*ed by a special committee and adopted by the board. A comprehensive circular from the Department of Health regarding protective measures was dealt with by the managing-secretary, Mr Norman Lee, who went on to state that consideration had been given to the provision of slit trenches for the Pahiatua and Anzac hospitals owing to the lack of protection given by the wooden walls of those buildings. It was considered that the brick walls of Masterton and Greytown hospitals would give adequate protection from machine-gun fire. The medical superintendent, Dr. T. L. Parr, reviewed the measures proposed to deal with an emergency. Lansdowne School would be taken over and as many as possible of the patients transferred there, so as to have the hospital available for the treatment of casualties. The children’s ward could be used as a clearing casualty admission department. Instructions had been prepared for the benefit of the staff. It was suggested that Greytown and Pahiatua hospitals make somewhat similar arrangements. There was some discussion as to the advisability or otherwise of marking hospitals with a cross visible from the air. It was considered that the matter could receive further attention and be brought under the attention of the Government.