Historical information

A Recent donation received by the Historical Society was an emergency Petrol sales book that was rescued from the demolition of the old RJ McClure Garage in Main Street. The Garage was located next door to the Town Hall and the book was rescued by a member of council Staff at the time of demolition.

The book records; "the Sales of petrol, benzine or other motor spirits or of motor oil or motor accessories to travellers outside the hours prescribed by the factories and shop acts."

The First Entry in the book is 14.12.1938, and the final one being 03.03.1951.

A Motorist requiring to purchase fuel or motor accessories ha to record their name, address, vehicle registration number, make of vehicle, owner of vehicle, driver of vehicle, number of gallons purchased, the reason for the purcqahse and destination, Some of the reasons stated for the purchase of fuel outside hours were, Funeral arrangements, urgent Sickness, insufficent tank capacity, floodwaters, mechanical breakdown, return of soldier to camp and Urgent Military call.

It is interesting to note the registration numbers. early on in the late 1930's, the rego. Numbers were all Numbers like 177301, 43973, 10790, 154900 and 49817.

By the early 1040's Letters were being now being used. GC 733, HK 273, BW 450, FJ 668, and LC 612.

Some of the vehicle names were recorded were: Willys, Essex, Buik, Morris, Singer, Hudoson, Whippet, Packard, Studbaker, Oldsmobile, La Fayette and Riley.

Physical description

Found at R.J. McClure Garage Main Street Stawell, by John Kindred and Given to Society

Inscriptions & markings

Factories and Shops Act Emergency Book