PETROL.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19213, 20 January 1928, Page 5

PETROL.

CARE IN HANDLING, PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTS. The British Imperial Oil Company writes: "Recent observations have brought under our notice the fact that proper and reasonable care is not always shown in the handling of petrol, either by retailers or the motoring public. Great carelessness is frequently displayed, but in most cases this is. uo doubt, due to ignorance, "We feci it incumbent upon us to point out, that, although petrol is a. highly volatile and explosive product, if properly bandied, w ifch recognised standar.i equipment, it is absolutely safe, and presents nq danger whatever to the community. On the other hand, carelessness and ignorance may be the cause of accident and fire.

''We draw your particular attention to the following practices;^ "(1) The filling of petrol into th© fuel tank while your engine is running, or while the engine of some other car is running nearby. "(2) The filling and handling ot petrol by persons smoking, or while other persons are smoking in the immediate vicinity.

"(3) The opening of petrol containers near to persons smoking, or electric radiators or other equipment, which, if out of order, can csuse >• spark or Same. "It is particular.lv important that all who handle petrol should know that the vapour given off, and the mixture of gas and nir discharged from n oontniner which is beinc, filled, is heavier than tho atmosphere, and it therefore rapidlv falls and spreads over the surface of the «v"_>id in the immediate vicinity of the filling operation which is heine carrier] on, and such vapour is readily subject to 'g n '" tion by Annie or sparks.

Eules to Observe. "In the interests of public service and the development of the motor business on right lines, may we ask you to lay down for strict observance the following rules for those handling petroleum spirit through kerbside pumps or packages either nctiialty on your premises or anywhere else i" the carrying on of your business, vi«.: "(a) Do not slnoke. "(b) Do not allow any other person to smoke anywhere near where the operation js being carried on. . "(c) Do not open a petrol oackage of pump from a kerbside outfit while the engine of the car being filled .is running, or the engine of any other car is running nearby, "(d) Do not allow anyone with « naked light or matches to approach a car while the fuel tank is open.

"(e) In the case of motor vehicles having fuel tanks on the dashboard, Ir 9 careful to see that the tank iB not opened at any time while the engine is running or while any work is being carried on in connexion with the ignition or lighting; system. "(f) Do not allow open packages or other petrol containers, whether fu". partlv full, or freshly emptied, to .He about in places where persons may he smokinsr or handling fire and liahts. or even using electrical equipment which ''' + o fnsn. •"fa), Generally to take the greatest possibles care, when handling petrol, not Wsnill or splash it about in anv way, and if any be spilt to have it promptly covered with sand."

« BUY-BACK » PRINCIPLE.

SALE OF CARS IN BRITAIN. A class of automobile business _ that; is now being carried out in Britain, but has not yet been adopted, in the Dominion, is known as the "buy-baek' principle. How the system works out is shown by the following example in respect of a new 12 h-p. car, costing MW, supplied under a "buy-back" guarantee for a period of six months: —

Because of the wear on cylinders new pistons should bo oversize when installed.

Tyre wear in the cold, snowy months is considerably less than when the weather is hot.

£ s Price of Car ../ ••'• ° Comprehensive Insurance Policy for six months 9 1U Registration and Government tax for six months ______ d 0 0 0 Total price , £215 10 Buy back price for six months (65 per cent, of £200) ... ••■ 1*0 « 0 0 Total cost for sis months £85 10 which is the equivalent per month of ... . ■•• 14 d The average cost of hiring a : similar car per month w u 0 0 ©