Station ‘house not in order’

Press, 7 November 1978, Page 6

Station ‘house not in order’

The Sockburn testing station should “get its own house in order”' before it planned extensions to attract more custom, Paparua County councillors said last evening. Searching for reasons why the number of vehicles tested at the station in September

had dropped 537 on Septem-i ber last year, two councillors! agreed they did not patronise; the station “for the samel reasons others did not go there.” Councillors would not elaborate when requested, after the meeting ended. But some garages and motor vehicle dealers have transferred their custom to Lichfield Street, stated the station committee in its re-1 report to the council. “They should put their own house in order before they start branching out in other directions,” said Cr E. C. Britnell. The station committee was “seriously considering” adding a service bay to draw custom. Other reasons given for the drop in custom were fewer new car registrations (reflecting the economic downturn), the closing of several garages near the station, and a growing trend for motorists to take their cars to garages for warrants of fitness. Garages were able to do-on-the-spot repairs and adjustments said the report.,