THE PETROL FAMINE.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14347, 6 May 1912, Page 5

THE PETROL FAMINE.

0 DEVELOPMENTS AWAITED. The position, in' connection with tho s-hortago in petrol supplies has not changed. The general disposition oi' tho motoring community is to wait and sec what transpires. There is nothing olio io do, and there seems to bo no immediate prospect of abundant supI plies being available. The great majority of motorists have some, reserve stores of inure or less quantities, ami until the>o ato exhausted motor trnfiic on tho .streets wiil bo much tho same as heretofore. Tho price for petrol locally has not yot reached the height which would justify it in being described as a "famine"' price. During the first few days of the .shortage there was a scare, and up-.to 35s'per case was given. Time has brought a fuller knowledge of the .supplies held by various people, and tho price now quoted is £1 per case. A man called on a local firm the other day and offered a dozen cases/at £2 j I.os per case. He was rather surprised j when he was told that the firm would be- pleased to sell him any number of cases at that price. .Motorists arc wisely.husbanding their Supplies. When their cars tsro stopped their engines are stopped also, and not allowed to eat up petrol. "It means extra labour in ''cranking up" again, but it saves the precious motor spirit. Jt is anticipated that in about » fortnight iho effects of tho shortage will become, noticeable, and that a more accurate idea may then bo formed jus to how it' is to be weathered. In the meantime motorists are hoping that something will turn up to improve the j ' situation. (pnres association" telegram.) AUCKLAND, May 5. In connection with the 'petrol famine' it. was ascertained locally that the j steamer Hohcnfelts, which arrived at! Melbourne yesterday, en route for Aveklaud, lias 0000 cases of petrol aboard for this port. Tho steamer Anglo-Saxon left New York on April L'-ith for Auckland. Wellington, Lyttekon. and Dunodin. She has 45,000 ■ oases of oil on. board for Auckland, including 18,0C)0 eases of petrol and n proportionate cargo for the Southern ports nnmwl. She is duo here.on July 4th. (rr.Ess association rr.i.tcjtaw.} WELLINGTON. May 5. Tho shortage of petrol is not being felt nearly so severely- in "Wellington ■as it appears io ho in Christchurch, and it is slate<l that if people do not lose their heads there is no reason why the pinch in petrol should be more than merely ternjKirary here. One promi- j nent local garage announces that it will supply benzine and motor spirits to regular customers only, in normal quantities and for their personal use only, at the standard price. Oth°r firms'are putting up the price to 2s and 2s 3d a gallon for outsiders, while roserving quantities for regular clients at ihe usual rates. Tho Vacuum Oil Company's prioos aTe motor spirit Is 7]rl a gallon, ami benzine Is 6?, d a gallon. Largely increased orders havo in stand asi<lf for the regular normal order*;. ■ - i