Two Petrol Licences Suspended

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31649, 8 April 1968, Page 11

Two Petrol Licences Suspended

The licences of Korrells Motors, Ltd, to sell retail motor spirits at Rangiora and Waikari were suspended for three months by the Motor Spirits Licensing Authority in Christchurch on Friday. Two public inquiries into the use of the licences had been adjourned from the Monday sitting of the Authority. There were also two applications by Blackwell Motors, Ltd (Mr B. J. Drake) for a transfer of shares in the licences. Mr Drake told the Authority that Blackwell Motors wished to proceed with the applications. Korrells Motors (Mr P. L. Mortlock) had a loan from a spirits wholesaler, contrary to the provisions of legislation. Mr Mortlock produced a receipt for payment of $lO,OOO to the wholesaler, so terminating the loan. Mr Mortlock said the company had retained its independence from the wholesaler in spite of the loan. The company had been ignorant of the implications of the loan. “This is a clear breach of the legislation,” said the chairman of the Authority (Mr J. W. Bain). “We do not accept Mr Mortlock’s explanation that there was no loss of independece as it put the company under the obligation, if only under gentlemen’s agreement, to buy from that particular wholesaler. “We cannot overlook that a period of seven years has gone by while this situation has stood. If the matter could not have been straightened out it would have been our clear duty to revoke both licences.”

He said the Authority would impose the very minimal penalty, concerning the paucity of mitigating circumstances, that it could. The sus-

pensions would begin on May 3, and the share transfers were approved. With the chairman of the Authority were Messrs F. S. Taylor and G. Laurence. The Authority concluded its Christchurch sitting at I p.m. Application Refused

An application for two pumps by Netherby Garage and Service Station, Ltd (Mr J. R. Woodward) in Albert Street, Ashburton, was refused.

Ashburton Motors, Ltd (Mr D. Clark) objected.

“Ashburton has 27 petrol licences with a population of 13,000 so metropolitan standards must apply,” said Mr Bain. “It would be disastrous for Ashburton as a whole to relax on standards as it shows a tendency to become ‘overpumped.’ “We are here to serve the public and not as a convenience for your company’s bookkeeping,” said Mr Bain.