MOTORING CURTAILED

Evening Star, Issue 23351, 22 August 1939, Page 10

MOTORING CURTAILED

RESULT OF PETROL INCREASE CHANGE FROM " SUPER " GRADES EXPERIENCE IN DUNEDIN As a result of the increased tax on petrol announced in the Budget there has been a general slackening off in the quantity of petrol sold by a number of Dunedin service stations. The proprietor of one station estimated that his sales had decreased by about 20 per cent, since the new price came into force, while another calculated that his sales since then were down between 200 and 300 gallons on the corresponding period last year. It was pointed out that some difficulty was experienced in arriving at an accurate estimate, as during the period the snow was lying thickest only a few cars were used, while this is regarded as the poorest part of the whole year from a petrol selling view. It was therefore expected that although there had been a decrease in the petrol sold, this would probably return to nearer normal with the approach of longer and warmer days.

One notable feature (it was stated) is that a considerable number of motorists have changed from the “sniper” to second grade petrol. The wisdom of this was questioned in some quarters, as the engine of a modern car is designed to burn high octane petrol and the introduction of lower grade fuel into the carburetter would result in more low-gear work and a consequent higher petrol consumption. Besides subscribing generally to the views expressed above, the proprietor of one service station situated in the centre of the city remarked that he had also noticed a difference in the number of cars which were parked there.. When the new parking regulations first came into force_ a number of business men' who drove in to work had been quoted a contract fee for the parking of their cars during business hours, and for the first week thev availed themselves of it, but when they found that the regulations were not being strictly enforced and friends who were leaving their cars in the streets were “ getting away with it,” they decided to do so as well. Only a slight decrease was reported by another service station, also in the central portion of the’city; but it was explained that the clientele consisted mostly of commercial classes of vehicles and travellers. These had to carry on notwithstanding the increased prices. A definite drop in the number of motorists using “ super ” grade was, however, noticeable. Formerly about 75 per cent, of the petrol sold was the higher grade, but to-day this proportion had dropped to about 50 per cent. This happened to be the only station open on the evening when the increased price was notified, and when it was announced that the new prices would operate from the following morning a nufhber of car drivers who had been listening-in to the parliamentary debate decided to fill their tanks before the new rate came into force. The resulting rush can be imagined. At this station only one attendant was on duty, and from the moment the increase was announced until closing time at midnight there was a period of hectic activity on his part, while in many cases many of , the regular customers helped themselves. A definite drop in petrol sales since the first of the month was reported by a number of other service stations, while there was a unanimous agreement on the change from “ super ” to second grade petrol. A difference of Id did not appear very much on one gallon, but when filling a tank of perhaps 10 or 11 gallons capacity there was quite a saving effected.