PETROL BOWSERS.

Putaruru Press, Volume V, Issue 176, 17 March 1927, Page 8

PETROL BOWSERS.

P. AND T. COMPLAINT. Attitude of Board. A letter was read before the Putaruru Town Board on Monday from the Post and Telegraph Department with reference to the installation of petrol wells underneath the footpaths. The letter stated it had come to the notice of the Department that certain bodies were giving permission for such wells and pointing out that the Department was the sole body with legal rights to use footpaths and streets for the purposes of layingcables, etc., and that petrol wells might interfere with this work.

Mr. Barr Brown: I notice they have gone past a petrol well at Spiers’ without any trouble. Mr. Neal pointed out that they had to look ahead to the time when towns became cities, when, through the number of cables to be laid, such wells -would be a great inconvenience.

Following some further remarks the chairman quoted what other bodie were doing in regard to indemnity policy and license fees as follows:—Annual fees: Marton £1 Is, Feilding nil, Stratford £7 10s, Hawera nil, Carterton £5, Lower Hutt £lO, Te Aroha £2 10s.

Indemnity policies: Marton nil, Feilding £SOO each pump, Stratford license to indemnify action for damages, Hawera insurance of £9OOO to cover up to £3OOO for each pump, Carterton £IOOO, Lower Hutt owners agree to give indemnity, Te Aroha £SOO.

The chairman pointed out that in the absence of a test case the exact legal position was “ in the air,” and this was reflected in the different manner with which different bodies viewed their responsibilities. The trend of opinion seemed to be to keep such pumps off the streets, or to make the indemnity policy very heavy. So far as he could see the board had adopted a wise policy in deciding to grant no further licenses to erect pumps on the footpaths. Mr. Barr Brown: Can we compel those already erected to be moved ? Mr. Neal: I think we should have a by-law preventing the handling of loose petrol on the footpath. Mr. Tomalin: When I was at Home you couldn’t sell benzine after dark. A member: That was in the early (jays, when the spirit was much more dangerous owing to lack of refinement. Mr. Neal: I certainly think we should stop the practice of handling loose petrol on the footpaths. A member: Yes, if your shop goes up there will be a by-election. (Laughter). Eventually it was decided to enquire into the status of existing pumps and to arrange for indemnities. On the motion of Messrs. McDermott and Yandle, it was decided to reply to the P. and T., pointing out their failure to co-operate with the board, aifd stating the position re petrol wells.