STORAGE OF OIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 November 1921, Page 5

STORAGE OF OIL.

WAREHOUSE SITE WANTED. BUILDING FOR NEW PLYMOUTH. THE QUESTION OF RISK. An enquiry regarding a site for a case oil warehouse winch it was proposed to establish in New Plymouth was received by the Borough Council at last night s meeting from the Vacuum Oil Co., Ltd... Wellington. The manager of the company, in communicating with the council,' said they were no doubt aware of the endeavors of the company to procure a warehouse in New Plymouth, and he recalled that certain sections which were allocated for oil stores by the Harbor Board in the vicinity of the Breakwater had been appropriated by the Railway Department. Consequently they were again on the lookout for a suitable site’. During his visit to New Plymouth recently he learned that the council proposed to vacate sections 853, 854, and 868, between Molesworth and Gill Streets, and in a oasuai examination they appeared to be satisfactory for the company’s purpose. There were no building sections opposite on the Molesworth Street side, and this block seemed to be more suitable- for warehouses and industries than for a residential area.

The company would erect a proper building for the storage of kerosene, petrol, lubricating oils and greases. The advantages of the position were that the road led straight up from the railway yards without the necessity ol carting case oil through the main streets. If an overhead or tinderground conveyor was permitted it would be possible to receive goods direct from the railway, thus eliminating the necessity for carting the goods through the town at all. The company desired to know on what terms the council would lease the site, the class of building required and the issue of a license to store 40,000 to 50,000 cases of kerosene and petrol. They pointed out that the council must recognise that the establishment of a case oil warehouse would be a boon to the town and surrounding district. T n common with other companies they had brought direct steamers to New Plymouth and had distributed goods direct from the ship’s side. It was desired to give their customers in Taranaki the advantage of permanent stocks in New Plymouth, and he asked for the assistance of the council.

The engineer (Mr. W. H. Cook), reporting on this request, said that as far as could be foreseen sections 854 and 868 would be no longer of use to the council. Section 853 would be all that was needed. Whether it was advisable to allow large storage of inflammable goods to take place would have to be settled by the council, as personaly he considered it an undue .risk to adjacent owners, if not to a large part of the town.

When the application was discussed the Mayor said he did not like the idea of establishing big oil stores in the town, though they did not like to turn business away. Cr. J. Brown said it seemed a big amount to store in the town.

It was decided to obtain the opinion of the Fire Superintendent on the proposals.