SALE OF PETROL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 169, 20 July 1938, Page 8

SALE OF PETROL

RESTRICTIONS ON LICENCE CRITICISM FROM WHAKATANE WHAKATANE, July 15, Indignation was expressed by the members of the Whakatane Borough Council at the contents of a letter received irom the Chief Inspector of Explosives, Mr. R. Girling Butcher, at the decision of the Bureau of Industry concerning the erection of petrol pumps in a garage recently built in Whakatane. Mr. Girling Butcher stated that he had been advised that the bureau had granted permission for the erection of two pumps in the garage of a motor engineer provided the provisions of the Explosives and Dangerous Goods Act were complied with, that the 1 pumps were installed alongside each I other, and placed inside the building screened from the view of passing [motorists, and that there was no indication anywhere that petrol was avail- , able for sale. Mr. A. J. Canning said this sort of ! thing was creating a monopoly. An i applicant was allowed to sell motor [spirit, but had to keep it out of view so that nobody would know. The Mayor, Mr. B. S. Barry, said ' ‘-here was opposition to the granting of the licence and consequently it was only granted subject to the restrictions stated. The owner was endeavouring to get the matter reviewed. “If the question is brought before , the council I will support the appii- ' cant, but he must take the first step.” i added the Mayor. “The position is.” he said, “that you have to ask the other sellers if they are opposed to your getting a ’ icence.” said Mr. W. Sullivan. “If they are. you cannot get one. That ! does not sound right to me.” “it is just such another case as the one that caused so much comment at Mission Bay. where a chemist could not get a licence because there was p-nother chemist in the neighbour--1 hood,” said Mr. Barry.