THE GISBORNE OIL WELLS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1661, 13 September 1887, Page 2

THE GISBORNE OIL WELLS.

Owing to there being 137 ft of oil m the bore at* the South Pacific works, Mr Fleming, the chairman, of directors at Sydney who is an Amerloan oil borer of many years' experience, hao come over to decide on the measured to be taken. The bore is down over 1200 ft. On Mo day a party of 17 of the principal settlers arid businessmen here and Mr Fleming went up to the works, and found that the oil m the bore, which had been partly emptied a few day* ago, bad risen 163 ft m the pipe. It was decided to empty the bore and a 36---gallon barrel wag placed alongside the pipe to receive the oil, and as each bailer waa withdrawn the oil was allowed to run In until the barrel was overflowing, V-arious ieatß were made to show those preaeut that the oil was In a pure state, and that the addition of a drop of water, however slight, to the oil was Immediately seen, clearly proving that the oil was brought from the bottom of the bore (a depth of 1218 ft.) m a perfectly nuadulte ated condition. The bailer is an Iron tubo of 16ft, having an arrow-Bhaped valve at the bottom, ao that it is absolutely neoeaßary for the bailer to reach the bottom and open the valve to enable It to be filled, thus proving that the oil Is brought from the bottom of the bore. As each bailer :waa emptied into the barrel It came ont with great force, being accompanied by a percentage of gai which made it froth on the barrel like yeast. Mr Fleming pronounced the oil an exceedingly rich produot, and will remain at the works for some days to further teat the value of the find. That whloh he has seen folly justifies tho report that wai sent to Sydney, and confirms the belief that the district is rich as an oil bearing one. The first barrel of 36 gallons brought up was emptied out and allowed to run to waste. That barrel nlone m the estimation of those experts present, represented a value of £6 It will be only after a few days' work, the bore being m the meantime carefully emptied and the incoming flow gauged, that the value of this well on be arrived at, though the certain faot is now oie«ly placed beyond doubt of its being an oil-bearing one. Those present watched everything that was done with a keen interest, to set at rest the doubts that existed m their minds. The testing of the well and tho amount of oil flowing In, will continue some days. Tho oil is of extraordinary rioh quality. It bai been decided to bore a few feet further, to csuie the \oQ,ow of oil to be more rapid,.