DOMINION’S OIL SUPPLIES

Evening Star, Issue 19003, 27 July 1925, Page 10

DOMINION’S OIL SUPPLIES

A GREAT ENTERPRISE i BULK TANK INSTALLATIONS AT MAIN PORTS An extensive scheme of bulk distribution of motor spirit lias been planned by the Vacuum Oil Company, Pty., Ltd., which is about to erect bulk tank installations at Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin. The new installations will comprise bulk storage tanks, tin-making plants, case-making plants, and storage warehouses, A fleet of tank steamers will bring : supplies of motor spirit from America. Tank ear wagons will bo used for transporting the tpotor spirit on the railway, and motor wagons will bo employed for the delivery of supplies within reasonable radius of the main installations. The idea behind the scheme is to distribute motor spirit to all parts of the country expeditiously and at minimum cost. This is calculated to materially facilitate the development of rural areas and to increase the means of transport. Auxiliary tank stations will be erected at other towns throughout the dominion. The scheme will involve n considerable outlay of money and employment of labor. £2,000,000 TO BE SPENT.

The extensions proposed for New Zealand are a portion of a largo scheme, which includes Australia also. It is estimated that two million pounds will bo spout in the erection of tank installations, manufacturing plants, storage warehouses, and equipments. Although the complete scheme will not bo working until October, certain portions of it may be u...iscd as they become available. The main installation for Australia will ho established at Yarrowviilc, Victoria, where the. Vacuum Oil Company has acquired forty acres, on which will be erected manufacturing and storage warehouses, tin-making plants, and bulk storage plants. Arrangements have been completed for the building of a wharf costing £40,000. At this installation oil tank steamers carrying 2,000,000 gallons of motor spirit will berth, and have their cargo pumped to the bulk tanks. Similar, but smaller, installations are to he erected at Brisbane and Adelaide, while the existing bulk installation at Sydney is to be considerably enlarged.

There are to bo about 500 tank stations erected throughout Australia and Now Zealand—in smaller towns, places .with populations of over o.OUO—and these tank stations will receive supplies from main installations by means of tank cars on ..c railway. The capacity of tho tank stations will vary according to the requirements of each district. A fleet of tank cars and wagons will also he employed in each district to facilitate distribution to outlying parts. The undertaking marks an important stage in the developments of Now Zealand’s motor transportation. Tlio proposed scheme will place tho dominion in line with the most modern methods of distributing motor spirit.