FREE FLOW OF OIL.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12772, 20 April 1910, Page 4

FREE FLOW OF OIL.

(Special to "The Colonist.")

Christchurch, April 18. The water front air of Lyttelton was strongly tainted to-day with the flavour of "Standard Oil." The steamer Georgia,., which is discharging a large quantity of what the Americans call case oil; which includes anything from motor spirit to cylinder oU, met with some very rough weather on the way across the Southern Ocean. A quantiy of salt water got into the 'tween decks aud'-'bylang' contact with the tins of oil rusted them through. Many of the tins leaked in the hold, and many more leaked under the provocation of being handled and put ashore. Several trucks spilled good kerosene like catacacts, while they were being loaded, and dribbled oil along the permanent way while they were being shunted about the railway j'ard. The waste of oil quickly attracted the attention of some who had an eye to the main chance, and empty tins, oil drums and other receptacles were pressed into service ; to catch the liquid, and various ingenious devices were used to convey the oil into the vessels. This sort or thrift was .at last sternly repressed by the authorities, apparently on the grounds' that those who needed oil should buy it, and not rob the widow and the orphans.