QUALITY OF PETROL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 17079, 7 July 1926, Page 10

QUALITY OF PETROL.

BOW HER Sl J L’BLJ F.S Q l ESTIOX ED. COMMITTEE’S INY INSTIGATION. REGULATION-S ADVOCATED. ißpeeta) io the Herald.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. The contention that some of the motor spirit sold through bowser pumps, especially in country districts, was not of first grade quality, but was sold at the same price as superior petrol, was raised by Air. F. K. Jones at a recent meeting of ihc Canterbury (.’hainber of Commerce. 'l’lie importers’ commit lee was instructed to investigate the mutter, ami Mr. G. Davison, chairman of the committee, has now presented the .following report: “The dommiftee met in June find decided to test the contents of so vet at oi the city bowser pumps. With this object in view, the secretary accordingly purchased the desired number of samples of various brands, both first and second grade, ami these were carefully scaled in tins and labelled, The. specific gravity of each sample was obtained by means of the hydrometer lest carried out in the presence of several members of the committee. The results of these tests disclosed a variation in specific, gravity between the several brands of first grade spirit extending front (501 to tin (Bcaoiuo), and a variation extending front 55 to fit) (Hetunno) between a lesser number of second grade brands of spirit.

NO MISREPRBSKNTATION. “During the course of il.s'enquiries the committee has detected no actual case of misrepresentation, but observed one or two instaeces of lack of care on the part of vendors in not readily ili-criminating between the two grades of spirit. Virtually nil the petrol pumps are under the control of the -wholesale companies, who alone are responsible for what goes into them. The quality of petrol sold is subject to no inspection, only the measurement, and it would appear as if honesty on the part of traders is the only protection the- public lms against imposition. “The committee recommends that the (joveniment, should be urged to introduce regulations providing tor. a definite minimum standard ot quality, and a particular designation lor each grade of spirit placed on sale to the public. If tins is 'lone, and provisions made for frequent examinations of quality, us ueli us measurements, the interests of the public would be properly safeguarded.” “We’ll have the Government selling pet rot from pumps at all street corners soon.” suggested a member. “Perhaps they’ll supply beer through bowsers also,” another commented amidst laughter.