NEW ZEALAND OIL TRADE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 372, 5 June 1928, Page 18

NEW ZEALAND OIL TRADE

NEW COMPANY IN FIELD TANKER RANJA ARRIVES BIG OPERATIONS BEGIN The oil tanker Ranja, which arrived in Auckland early this morning, is carrying 3,250,000 gallons of oil with which the Atlantic Union Oil Company, Ltd., will begin operations in New Zealand. Mr. J. E. Gray, managing director of the company, arrived in Auckland yesterday from Sydney, and in an interview explained the company’s activities and organisation in the Dominion. The Ranja will discharge a portion of its supply into tanks at Freeman’s Bay, the remainder going to Wellington. Auckland and Wellington are the main bulk terminals; but bulk substations are in course of erection at Gisborne, Hamilton and Frankton Junction. Other sub-stations will be built later. The company’s operations will begin immediately, and a full range of high-grade products will be marketed. To date, the company has invested more than £ 300,000, principally in equipment, most of which was supplied by New Zealand firms. With two exceptions the company’s staff consists of New Zealanders, many of whom are well-known in the oil trade. The head office, which is in Wellington, is in charge of Mr. E. G. Martin, a director. The company has particular interest in Captain Kingsford Smith’s flight, for the Southern Cross is using Union motor spirit and Atlantic oil.