On August 1, the NZ Herald on page A3 had photographs of Marine Parade, Howick, subsidence.
From January 31, 1942, during World War II, the Government requested all homeowners to build an air raid shelter.
They were to be seven feet deep [2.13m], three foot six inches wide, covered and drained. They were to be concealed from view with emergency food and drink for 24 hours.
Years ago, I lived in Marine Parade and my neighbour Norm Gibbs showed me the air raid shelter he built into the clay bank beside the Marine Parade road. The road was narrow and covered with metal. He was proud of his work as the shelter was large enough for his wife and children with excellent views over the sea.
There were stories of enemy submarines around our coastlines.
Norm Gibbs dug a tunnel with a small entrance into the clay cliff near the end of Marine Parade, where the present road subsidence has occurred. Norm was a panel-beater, an active member of the Howick Volunteer Fire Brigade and the EPS [Emergency Precautions Scheme], who were responsible for fire-fighting, water supplies, fire-watching and demolition activities.
The Home Guard were responsible for military protection, black-out restrictions and casualties with first aid. Most members of the community had responsibilities during the war years. Norm told his family to go to the “dug-out” if the air raid siren sounded.
After the war, Kikuyu grass covered the entrance to the air raid shelter. Later Marine Parade was widened and tar sealed.
Reference page 270, my book, Grey’s Folly.
Alan La Roche
Howick Historian
