LEAKAGE OF PETROL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22071, 29 March 1935, Page 13

LEAKAGE OF PETROL

FREEMAN'S BAY AREA CITY COUNCIL INVESTIGATION Members of the city engineer's outside staff investigating the causes of the explosion at the Drainage Board's pumping station in Fansbawe Street on the afternoon of February 15 have secured approximately 150 gallons of petrol from some of the sewers on the Freeman's Bay reclamation, according to a report submitted to the City Council last night by the city engineer, Mr. J. Tyler. Although defective pipes have been observed and replaced, a certain amount of leakage of petrol to the sewers "continues.

Mr. Tyler said the first inspection revealed that several of the manholes in the vicinity of Gaunt and Daldy Streets showed a definite layer of petrol floating on the surface, and it was from these points that the large quantity of petrol was obtained. It was thought that the leakage was from the service mains of the oil companies laid along the streets from the Western Wharf to the oil tanks, but these were found to be sound. Two service pipes, in the companies' compounds failed to give satisfactory tests, and one was found to be badly corroded. It was considered that tins leaks from these pipes had saturated the ground and the heavy rain on February 15 had lifted the petrol into the sewers. These defective pipes were replaced, and for some days there was no further sign of petrol in the sewers, but petrol was again reaching the sewers, and a further search was now being made. Mr. Tyler said he had sent samples of the petrol obtained to the Government analyst to ascertain if possible the brand of petrol found in the severs. The report was adopted.