CO129-589-9 Government House- damage caused by construction of underground Air Raid shelter tunnels. For extracted photographs.... 1-4-1941 - 1-11-1941 — Page 40

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occurring and particular care was taken in ensuring a tight

pack between the spiling (the timbers which support the

roof) and the natural ground.

Minor movements are reported to have occurred on

the 7th November, 1940, and have continued to develop at

varying rates since that date. I first saw the defects on

the 22nd November, when I gave instructions for work to

cease.

-

The immediate cause is probably shock from

blasting although the charges were kept down to the minimum

possible - which has had its effect not only on the fabric

but on the soil itself. This soil movement is probably

acting along a defined plane of slip and accounts for the

assumed tipping of the toe of the foundations and a movement

outwards of the base of the building which has since followed.

(sd.) H. J. PEARCE.

D.D.P.W. (D.)

8.4.41.

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