More for the motorist at Waiouru

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 23, 29 October 1985, Page 14

More for the motorist at Waiouru

The three service stations in Waiouru will all have their premises extended by the end of the year. Two of the service station managers, however, are unwilling to disclose exactly what they will be doing. Margaret Cross, manageress of Pine Tree Motors, said they were carrying out substantial alteratioris to give better«service to locals and the travelling public. Pine Tree Motors is now open 24 hours a day. The station stopped operating 24 hours when petrol restrictions came into force several years ago.

Massive extensions are now nearly complete at the Waiouru Energy Centre, opposite Pine Tree Motors. Peter Baran and his sons, Michael and Walter, took over the Energy Centre last, December and began extending soon afterwards with the help of Caltex engineers. They have more petrol, CNG and diesel pumps and have recently installed LPG. The Energy Centre is the only CNG station between Marton and Tokoroa, a distance of 160 kilometres to the north and 115 to the south, so there is a big demand. Michael said there has been a queue of 45 cars waiting for CNG at one time. Previously operating out of a caravan, the Energy Centre now runs from a small shop at the front of the

station, where fast-selling items such as sweets are sold. Accessories, parts, showers, toilets and tables to sit and have coffee at, are at the rear of the station. "We'll have free coffee for truckies out the back and a place where they can have a shower," said Michael. Also at the rear of the station is a new workshop, which is not yet operational. There are eight staff working at the station at present and two mechanics will be employed when the workshop is finished. A new canopy over. the forecourt is to be put up, and there will be a new neon sign at the front of the station. When completed, the station will be giving 24-hour service for a six-month trial period.