KEROSENE STORAGE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 452, 9 March 1909, Page 3

KEROSENE STORAGE.

At last night’s Borough Council meeting an application was received from Messrs Goldinghatn and Beckett, Palmerston North, tor permission to store kerosene in nndetached premises in Hall street. The application created a discussion.—Cr Hennessy said he would oppose the application as he considered the element of risk too great.

Cr Jenks said that kerosene was stored by local shopkeepers. The Clerk read the by-law dealing with the question viz.—“ No person shall stock any gunpowder, or petroleum, or any other explosive or dangerous material in anj" public or private building or place, or on any open space near any building without having first obtained a license from the Council.” Cr Shadbolt said if the storekeepers were allowed to store kerosene he could see no reason why they should object to the application. The risk was not great at the place mentioned. Why should they send money out of the town by refusing. A depot for kerosene meant providing work for the carters.

Cr White said if the port was to be of any use, every encouragement aud facility should be afforded merchants for making Foxton a distributing centre, A point blank refusal to such requests would be disastrous to the port. The element of risk was not great, besides, such depots would be beneficial to the town, in that warehouses may follow. Later on the Council could impose restrictions. Proposed by Cr Frankland, and seconded by Cr Stiles, that this Council will be pleased to accede to the request of Messrs Goldingham and Beckett, if a suitable and safe location is selected. An amendment was moved by Cr White, seconded by Cr Shadbolt, that permission be granted to Messrs Goldiugham and Beckett to store kerosene as requested, on condition that a man be placed in charge as watchman.

The resolution was carried