RUSH STARTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 218, 15 September 1939, Page 3

RUSH STARTS.

PETROL RATIONING.

MOTORISTS IN QUEUES.

LINE UP AT POST OFFICE. "What is the number of your car?" This question was frequently asked in an official way at the Chief Post Otlicc this morning, when the big task of issuing coupons for petrol for private cars and motor cycles wart started and, .strangely enough, there seemed to be quite a number of people who could not offhand give the number of their cars, despite the fact that they had probably been seeing the numerals daily for some time. There were other Aueklanders able to give readily the fullest information.

At the Chief Post Office an augmented staff dealt with about tiOO applications an hour, and the average time taken by a motorist from the time he joined the ipieue until getting right through was about ten minutes.

Motorists began to gather at the Chief Post Office as early as 7 a.m. Promptly at S a.m. the issue of coupons started. Kehind the counter 1.") tellers stood practically shoulder to shoulder. They worked rapidly and well. Other post office officials controlled the queues. Motorists said complimentary things about the efficiency of the Department, and officials in their turn commended the patience of motorists. One of the senior officials said this morning that it was expected to break the back of the work by to-morrow, and the office would be kept open to 8 p.m. both to-night and to-morrow evening. Apply in Person. A point which is emphasised bv the authorities in Auckland is that each registered owner of a private car must apply in person. Only owners who are ill or invalids will Ih> treated as social cases. Thus managers of lirms should not send clerks, but apply in person. In the case of e'ommercial travellers who drive their firms' cars the firm must make the application in |x>rson if the commercial traveller wishes bcn/.iiic for priv'te purposes. This rule applies generally to all cases in which cars are registered by a firm and used by its

employees,

Another j>oint on which there a<p|>ears to Ihi confusion applies to motorists whose license cards are. say, at Hamilton and who are now living |>ernianentlv in Auckland. These people should arrange, with the deputy-registrar to havo their card* transferred to Auckland. Cou>]M»ns cannot otherwise be issued. Petrol vendors are required to keep all cou|»ons and at the end of each month to submit returns of |>etrol stocks, which miiKt coincide with the number of coupons held. Guide For Motorists. For the general guidance of motorists applying for coupons the procedure 1summarised as follows:— 1. The motorist must know the number on his current licence plates. 2. When he reaches the teller he must be able to identify himself with the car in respect of which the application is made. He must have his license or know the chassis and engine number.

3. The clerk has to satisfy himself that the applicant is the owner of the car. when lie will ]mss over the existing registration card for the applicant to sign, following which the card of coupons will be issued. Each coupon is numbered and each is good for two gallons <if benzine. Only five cou|H>ns may be used each month. Any that are not used become void.

For the convenience of motorists series of numbers are prominently displayed at the head of each queue and the motorist should join the queue which includes the number of his car.

Similar procedure will be followed in the case of motor cyclists, whose pink coupons will be exchangeable for only one gallon of benzine.

An official ruling states that business motor cars in resj>ect of which licenses in- supplies of petrol have been issued are also eligible for the allowance of 10 gallons a month for pleasure.

It was explained that if a motorist has changed hir> place of residence permanently or for a length of time it is neeessarv for him to obtain a transfer of his registration before he can apply. If, of course, the change is temporary, special provision is made under the regulations allowing him enough fuel to set home. The Allied Motor Traders' Association lias issued an appeal to motorists to n-.-ist petrol resellers in handling the emergency that has arisen in the trade by co-operating in the observance of

.-'miter hours. It is proposed that members of the association within a 2.3-

Mile radius of the chief post office. Vu-kland. will open from 8 a.m. to G

: on Mondays to Saturdays inclusive, and close all day on Sunday. Outside Ys decision a considerable number of ■ ellers propose to close at 1 p.m. on Saturdays.