NEW PETROL DEPOT AT HASTINGS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVIII, Issue 163, 25 June 1928, Page 6

NEW PETROL DEPOT AT HASTINGS

The Atlantic Union Oil Company. Ltd. have just erected an up to-date motor siprit and oil depot at the northern end of King street, Hastings. The site occupies an area of 1$ acres, and is fenced with heavy gauge chain 2in mesh netting, secured to dressed and painted posts'. The buildings have been variously placed over the site, so ns to afford the greatest convenient for the most economical handling of all goods. The bulk store, which is now storiing 6000 cases of benzine, >s situated at the end of section of new railway siding, and is nuilt of heavy brick wall and covered with a tiled roof. The external brick woik, which has been painted in cream tint, and the butteresses and other decorative work finished in cream plaster, gives this building a very handsome appearance. The office which also has tile roof, has been placed close to King street frontage. A large garage which will store three benzine motor trucks, is covered with fire proof material, and is fitted with lockers and pits. A large loading platform and pumping rack is conveniently placed in centre of site. A pumping plant has been installed in another fire proof building neamrailway siding. These pumps draw the motor spirit from tanks at railway siding, and pump same into two large vertical tanks standing 30ft high, each holding 12.000 gallons of spirit. A fire wall 3ft 6in high, has been built around tanks to prevent spread of benzine in the event of leakage. The tanks are now filled. Racks have been built to hold over seven hundred 40 gallon drums of benzine, the racks at the present time being fully loaded. Every modern convenience has been installed throughout to facilitate the proper handling of the motor spirit. A heavy limestone and metal roadway has been constructed forming a wide drive around the site and giving access to all buildings. The remainder of the site has been graded and tilled, no grass being permitted to grow on site. The works are amply supplied with fire fighting, appliances. In addition to each building being fitted with fire extinguishers, a large hose reel and phomene fire engine is also housed on the site. The architectural work under the direction of the company’s engineer Mr C. W. Eckles was carried out by Air A. Barnett, and the contractor for the works was Mr A. Hampton. The company’s Hastings depot w’as opened last Friday.