AUCKLAND'S FIRST

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 68, 17 September 1926, Page 8

AUCKLAND'S FIRST

BULK CARGO OF MOTOR FUEL

EVENT IN PORT'S HISTORY.

(By Telegraph.)

(Special to "The Evening Post.")

AUCKLAND, This Day.

The arrival of the American tanker Lubrico from San Pedro may be regarded as one of the important events in Auckland's history as a port, for she brought the first large cargo of bulk oil for use in commercial purposes. Approximately a million and a quarter gallons of gasoline are to be transferred from the Lubrico to the big stortage tanks at Freeman's Bay, a distance of about a quarter of a mile.

The ship has been connected to a ten-inch pipe running underground from the wharf to the tank. It is expected that the vessel's cargo for this port will be discharged at the rate of approximately 100,000 gallons per hour. Although the Admiralty tanker. Nucula has brought to Auckland several large cargoes of bulk oil which have been discharged into tho Government tanks at Devonport, these have been for the use of the cruisers .Dunedin and Diomede, and.this oil is not used for.commercial purposes. Other tankers which havo arrived ifith. small quantities of refined oil have, discharged their cargoes into drums and barrels.

The Lubrico is what is termed a clean oil ship. She never carries "black oil," which is uSed for fuel. Vessels carrying that, variety of oil are known as dirty tankers. While the Lubrico is at Auckland, every precaution is being taken to minimise risk. The western wharf has been closed to the public, and 'ie crew of the tanker are taking their meals on shore, thus eliminating all risk from tho ship's cooking gear. .

Prom Auckland the tanker is to proceed to Wellington on Saturday, and after unloading there will proceed to Melbourne.