“Unjust” Petrol Pump
Conisboro’ Brothers Fined
Two brothers, Edgar and Cyril Roodhouse, Doncaster Road, Conisborough, were summoned at Doncaster on Tuesday for using an “unjust” petrol pump.
Mr. Hutchinson, weights and measures inspector for the County Council, said that on March 9th he went to the garage and told Cyril Roodhouse that he wished to test the petrol pumps of which there were three. Cyril Roodhouse said that two did not contain spirit, so witness told the man that he would test the third, which was of the piston type. Cyril Roodhouse told him that since the last inspection the pump had been moved from one position to another by employees of a certain petrol firm. He was asked whether a test was made after the removal and why notification had not been sent to witness. He pleaded ignorance. Edgar Roodhouse then appeared and made a similar statement.
A test of the petrol pump was made by witness. He operated it to draw five gallons—the selling price was 1s. 4d. a gallon—and delivery was short by over two pints. There was also a shortage of over two pints on a four-gallon draw. The deficiency was about 5½d. on five gallons, about a penny on one gallon.
After the test, defendants said it was a shock to them to find such a deficiency. They expressed regret.
Edgar Roodhouse said his brother and himself were sorry for what had happened. They did not know that the pump was wrong. “When we have measured our petrol ourselves it has always been correct.” After the pump had been moved a test was made and it was found correct.
A representative of “R.O.P.” said he could not state whether his firm’s fitter, who removed the pump and reinstated it, had made a proper test afterwards as he had since left his company’s employment. It was his firm’s instructions that all pumps should be tested after erection.
Questioned by Mr. E. W. Pettifer (magistrate’s clerk), witness said the pumps were liable to get out of order easily.
Edgar Roodhouse told the Bench that his brother and himself made periodic tests of the pump with half-gallon and gallon measures.
Defendants were fined £5 each.