KERBSTONE PETROL PUMPS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12422, 16 April 1926, Page 7

KERBSTONE PETROL PUMPS

COUNCIL SPECIFIES CONDITIONS./ INVASION OF RIGHTS ALLEGED RESIDENTS JO BE PROTECTED The controversy in respect to the erection of kerbside petrol pumps, which have lately become popular through the increased distribution of petrol in bulk, was revived at the City Council last evening, when the works committee asked the council’s approval to certain conditions when applt cation was being made for bowsei kerbside pumps. Briefly tlio conditions provide tha* installations shall be 3o feet from building line of street intersection, anc there shall be a minimum of 18 feet from a kerb to any tramline. Then shall be clearance for fire plugs, tran and ’bus stops, all tanks to be instal led in private property. Where mon than one pump is required they will hi close together, and spreading is not allowed through blockage in traffic. Kerbside fill boxes are allowed, replaced ment costs to be covered by deposit, f No pump may bo placed on footways less than 3 feet wide. An annual rental of £SO will be charged. Construction is to be subject to inspection, each application is to be dealt with on iU

merits, and the corporation the right to revoke any particular! license at any time. j PROTECTING RESIDENTS Councillor R. McKeen thought the'; footpaths were too narrow to permit' the installation of bowser pumps. He also declared that it was immoral for) a business to be carried out on what was the property of the citizens. Bowser pumps were a danger. If the pumps were installed, the residents in the locality should be protected—as ini Australia. Councillor J. Aston agreed with Councillor MoKoen, and said the council WAB seeking trouble in allowing the installation of kerbside pumps. He favoured petrol stations, which would be erected on the oil company’s own property. ; Councillor H. D. Bennett said the council was obliged to give facilities i to the oil companies to dispense the petrol, and it appealed to the speaker as a question of the lesser of two evils—giving facilities for a supply'at the kerbside, or giving right of waj for the cars to cross the footpath tc private property. The former haxj been chosen as the lesser. “INVASION OF RIGHTS” Councillor R. Semple considered it an invasion of the citizens’ lights if bowser pumps were erected on the kerbside, for the city was already too congested in parts. Discrimination would be unfair. A scheme of this sort woul% develop into “wicked monopoly,” and for this reason, among others, he objected. The victiifls —who were the citizens—should have a say. - Councillor G. A. Troup considered that the bowsers would be safer 4 nj the open, air than housed in a building. The revenue derived from the rental would be considerable, amounting to thousands of pounds. Councillor F, Mantan expressed t desire to see the bowsers restricted tfl a certain area in the city. PAST EXPERINNCE The Mayor (Mr C. J. B. Norwood) did not agree that there was a danger, to pedestrian traffic through the pumps, but on the contrary believed that there would be greater congestion if the were inside. He did not wish the hands of the council to be 1 tied, but wanted every application to be considered—even if more than one| bowser were required. Ho agreed withi the recommendations. | Councillor M. F. Luckie, chairman of the by-laws committee, in reply, said the experience of* the people had been that existing pumps had been a vast improvement and a wonderfui convenience to motorists. None had been inconvenienced nor discomfitted by them, as would have been the case if the cars had to cross footways into private property. The footpaths belonged to the public—certainly—and ea-ch section of the community had a right to use them, just as taxis used the streets. NOTICE OF MOTION In reply to Councillor Semple, Coun-\ cillor Luckie said the committee in-f tended to grant several permits for, bowsers on the same premises—providing there was no inconvenience. The idea was to prevent a monopoly. Councillor Luckie promised to further consider the annual fee on behalf of the suburban and smaller supplier of petrol. The .report was adopted by 10 votes to 3. Councilor McKeen gave notice to move at the next meeting that permission ho refused to erect bowser pumps oti footpaths within 100 ft on either side of a residence, and shoulr a resident lodge an objection, r license be granted.