BORE TO BE SUNK FOR HOT THERMAL WATER AT OHOPE
Said To Exist Below Whakatane
Within the next few months a bore is to be put down on a property at Ohope Beach in an endeavour to find hot water. It is not known how far down the bore will have to go before any water will be struck, but it is thought that the ■ distance will be somewhere between 60 and 100 feet. Thermal hot water is known to ■ exist below the Whakatane area but just how far down it is no one knows. Most experts on the subject . assert that if it were anywhere near the surface signs of it would have been found by now. The nearest sign of thermal activity to Whakatane is, of course, at the Awakeri hot springs. But below the earth’s surface in this part of the Bay of Plenty it is known to v exist. This can be proved by taking _a line from Rotorua through places where , activity occurs, including i . Awakeri, to White Island, and Wha- ■ katane will be found to lie on the fault line. Opinions Differ Opinions of whether thermal hot water can be found conveniently ■j .around Whakatane differs considerably. About two years ago an Austrian scientist engaged by the New Zealand Government, visited the ■ district with special radar machinary for divining water. He covered - this area fairly extensively, and ■after tests he told the Whakatane County engineer, Mr C. H. Brebner, that while heated water was below somewhere he did not think it would be found under 1000 feet. Sometime last year a 1 resident at ■ Ohope sank a well and struck water. :He was sure it was warm when rfound so he sent a sample through to Rotorua to be tested. Three scientists came back and inspected the property. After they had made their tests they , told the owner that he would probably strike heated water ,dt about a depth of 90 feet. With these differences of opinion it will be interesting to find the results of. the new attempt to strike hot water, and if it is found, at what ■ depth. Hot Spring At Heads ? Older residents of this part of the Bay of Plenty can vouch for the fact that there was some thermal activity on the earth’s surface here. Now however, all signs of it have disappeared. It is claimed by some people that about 60 years ago a hot spring existed on the beach at the Whakatane Heads. One can spend all his life looking for it today and nothing will be found. However, if Whakatane people desire their own natural hot water they can rest assured it is below them —somewhere. But present indications are that the only way to get down to it will be by erecting an oil bore if you can afford it. iAs • one cynic remarked when hearing ■ of this : “I guess the electrically heated •water, even with all the present power restrictions, will do me.” These remarks probably sum up the attitude of most other people.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/BPB19490110.2.19
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Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 39, 10 January 1949, Page 5
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511BORE TO BE SUNK FOR HOT THERMAL WATER AT OHOPE Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 39, 10 January 1949, Page 5
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