No Fuel At Great Barrier Island

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31248, 21 December 1966, Page 27

No Fuel At Great Barrier Island

"Tht Prtu’‘ Sptcial Stn-ict AUCKLAND, December 20. The only source of petrol and supplies for up to 400 launches and yachts expected at Port Fitzroy, Great Barrier Island, this Christmas, has closed.

Mr Whit Newman, who owns the Last Resort Store, ha® closed his petrol pump after seven years, but as yet has had no offers to take over the shop. “I have been thinking about closing down and the last straw came recently when the Great Barrier County Council told me to clear away my petrol drums from the store and wharf because they were a danger,” Mr Newman said.

He said he had had a dump for the drums bulldozed, but the council had served an order on him before the dump was finished. “It is just too much now," he said. “I can’t blame the council entirely, but I am selling all my goods.” Last year, 400 launches and yachts called at the Port Fitzroy anchorage for supplies and fuel. This year more were expected.

“I don’t think nearly as many will come now that we have no provisions,” Mr Newman said. Boats will have to call at the nearest store 20 miles

down the coast to Ret petrol. Mr Newman has warned the store there and more petrol is being taken in for the sixweek period.

“The people of Fitzroy who used my store for supplies will have to go to another 17 miles inland or get provisions sent from Auckland as they did seven years ago.” he said. Mr Newman sold bread, clothing, tinned goods, meat, and al] fishing accessories. Last season he sold 5000 gallons of petrol to boat owners. Mr Ken Mildon. of the Royal Akarana Yacht Club, said today that it would create havoc among boat owners who visited Port Fitzroy.

“Nearly every boat visited the anchorage for fuel and supplies,” he said.