PETROL RATIONING

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 147, 27 August 1941, Page 5

PETROL RATIONING

NO JOY RIDING ON LICENSES

~ IGHTENING UP OF REGULA-

TIONS

Together with the revision of petrol licences by the Fuel Control Committee the Deputy Registrar of Motor Vehicles has had his "intelligence squad" on the job and where it has been discovered that motors are being used l'or pleasure, owners have received a "rap. over the knuckles." A number of owners have received tersely worded epistles, from thai gentleman containing devastating phrases such as "your can was seen at the Heads," "appears to be used for private purposes,'" and so on.

Proprietors and managers have then haxl bothersome interviews with staff members, wives or others who relish a dash of Sunday ozone, eighteen holes, or a session at the "flicks"—but not sufficiently to walk to obtain same.

The whole business is very upsetting and some people have come to the reluctant conclusion that there

is a war on —even if union secretaries and other numbers of the privileged class have as much, petrol as

required.

In fact they will probably continue to hold that amazing impression even if N.Z.R. buses rush to and fro for the sole purpose of carrying a chap home to lunch etc. O'f course the Deputy Registrar may have sent his "you can't do that there 'ere" letter to the Government as well.

At yesterday's meeting of the County Council it was revealed that that body is in the mbney too, a letter being received reading something like this: "I have to inform you that the above mentioned motor vehicle which is registered in your council'!? name appears to be used for private purposes. This vehicle has been seen frequently outside the Regent Picture Theatre late in the evening and also elsewhere. I should like an assurance that this misuse will riot continue and also that the above mentioned vehicle and a motor cycle Lwned by your council are not used convey employees to and from their homes."

The County Council lias hastened to rectify the matter and assure that the offence will not recur.

Commenting on the letter the chairman soothed, councillors by pointing out that the mentioned offence was not as bad as it looked as the track in question had been used for duties connected with the Emergency Precautions Scheme.