CAUGHT OUT!

Evening Star, Issue 23499, 13 February 1940, Page 8

CAUGHT OUT!

PETROL HOARDERS' STAMPEDE HUGE QUANTITIES RETURNED TO DEPOTS 44-GALLON DRUMS IN RESERVE There was a stampede in the petrol reselling trade last week, and thousands of gallons of petrol' moved with astonishing rapidity. That petrol, however, did not cover sales to the motoring public; it was nothing move nor less than a return to the depots of hulk quantities placed aside as reserves, and not show n on resellers’ books.

It all started when inspectors from the local Oil Fuel Control Department began paying visits to tbe service stations, just to see that the rules and regulations which have come into operation since February 1 were being complied with. The discovery of stray 44-gallon drums, quite apart from any official tank content, which were not showni on the traders’ books naturally caused questions to be asked. The secret was soon out then ; those 44-gallon drums had been placed aside as a reserve, possibly for the benefit of “ best-favoured ” customers. Thereafter, it is understood, inquires were less productive of-result. For what might be termed the “ grapevine route ” began to work overtime. The nows spread from garage to garage that the inspectors were on the warpath. No South African tribes with all their ultra-rapid systems of bush telegraphy could have circulated the information more swiftly. Thereafter, one gathers, consternation set in. There w'ere certain others who had reserves aside, but this w.as no time to hold on. Like panic-stricken stockbrokers they unloaded as fast as it was possible. Foity-fonr-gallon drums neatly stowed away were unearthed and returned to some of the depots. It is, of course, difficult to obtain exact information, but one learns that the Quantity returned was very considerable. It was, in very sooth, a stampede—hut the danger was removed and station owners-were able to breathe freely and allow' inspection of their premises with T out fear of suffering a stroke brought on by anxiety.

Actually, hoarding is a .foolish business. For one thing illicit. reserves will render a reseller liable to a fine of at least £IOO should he be caught. Quite apart from that there is a more serious aspect—that of fire. True, this may be considered a remote contingency. Nevertheless, fires are by no means unknown, and usually occur at the least convenient moinents. And fire which could be traced to illegal reserves of petrol, not properly safeguarded. would render insurances-null and void. Finally, there is the risk of prosecution for storing dangerous goods in any other than a safe and prepared place.