PETROL PUMP LICENCES

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27824, 24 November 1955, Page 3

PETROL PUMP LICENCES

DECISIONS RESERVED ON APPLICATIONS

“Mocketts Motors Ltd. not only has a monopoly in Hanmer Springs and has had since the firm was established 33 years ago, but is also the applicant’s opposition in Culverden 23 miles away,” said Mr A. C. Perry, who appeared for D. B. Carmichael, before the Motor Spirits Licencing Authority. The authority was considering Carmichael’s application for a licence to retail motor spirits from one pump to be installed at garage premises at Main road, Hanmer.

Carmichael had a motor repair business on the main road into Hanmer and a mile from the township, said Mr Perry. He opened the garage 18 months ago and now employed a mechanic to assist him. If he was to give his customers a full service he should have a licence to serve petrol on the premises.

For Mocketts Motors, the only objector to the application, Mr B. J. Drake said that Hanmer Springs had a permanent population of about 1000. To grant a licence to the applicant would mean considerable hardship to Mocketts Motors and Carmichael would “skim the cream off the trade.” Mr Drake submitted the firms balance sheet for the year ending September, 1954, on the sales of petrol at the firm’s Hanmer garage, which he asked to be kept confidential. The authority (Mr S. C. Johnston, chairman, and Mr S. Roberts) reserved its decision.

The authority also reserved its decisions on the applications of J. W. Beaumont: S. W. R. Boaz; Duvauchelle’s Service Station. Ltd., and Farm Machinery Specialists, Ltd.