Pickets, Petrol, Refunds

Wanganui Chronicle, 26 December 1950, Page 5

Pickets, Petrol, Refunds

In Auckland

AUCKLAND, Last Night (PA).— Two meetings of railwaymen were held in Auckland on Saturday, the principal business being lhe prep '.ration of a 24 hour picket roster. The men were instructed to warn lhe authorities in cast of tire. No pickets were posted today. The Auckland Enginedrivers Firemens And Cleaners Association will meet tomorrow night. The main activity in Auckland’s strangely quiet railway station on Saturday centred around the fortnightly pay of the striking railwaymen. and refunds to disappointed rail travellers. At about 11 a.m. lhe refund cashier ran out of money and lhe last window was closed. Three clerks spent the week-end In lhe building watching lhe department’s property. Petrol supplies in Auckland provincial towns will be very low. if not exhausted by (he end of this week; unless the rad strike is speedily settled Although mad tankers are carrying exceptionally large quantities from the Auckland port installations to the

country, they cannot replace the rail tankers no v lying idle in the station y ards. Dealers in most centres outside of Auckland may have to introduce rationing. Practically all the petrol for provincial depots is normally carried by rail in tankers holding 0000 gallons. City and country road tankers, with a capacity of from 1100 to 2500 gall ns tach, covered long disI inces during the holiday week-end to help the provincial dealers. The rail strike increased the call for put tol and by Sunday many resellers were calling for more fuel from depots. There was no. shortage Ln Auckland today.