TARANAKI PETROLEUM WORKS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1485, 20 June 1905, Page 4

TARANAKI PETROLEUM WORKS.

strong Indications of oil,

Considerable oxcitomont was created ia Now Plymouth ou Tuesday afternoon, says tho Taranaki Herald, when it was repoited that oil hod been struck ut tlio Moturoa boring works. With tho varying dispositions of tho pooplo tho report ho i different efleets, but, generally speaking, there was displayed a keen desiro to secure official confirmation of such an important intimation. Although tho oil had not been actually mot with, and was not issuing from tho boro, tho indications on Tuesday wore regarded by Mr Fair as mEallioly those of petroleum. Tho boro had been sent down 2230 ft (130 ft during tho last fow weeks) and the sendstono or oil rocks had been penetrated soma two and a-ba.t feet on Tuesday, when some of tho slroDgest indications yet experienced were given. Ab a matter of fact, Mr Fair had expected for n day or two past some such development, because tho conditions had been marked. A little before one o clock on Tuesday thoro was a particularly strong volume of gas coming from tho bore, and after luDch tho operations were continued. Mosers Montieth, Parker, and Teed, Provisional directors, were acquainted with the latest development, and weui out to the works. Mr Fair than demonstrated tho rich indications which made him so hopeful of getting a flow of oil in a day or two. Tho material obtained from the bore, which had a pronounced mixture of oiJ, was shown, and the clay sludge was pungent with petroleum. Continuing tho boring, Mr Fair got the pump sont down to the lower level, and in tho last essay the explosion of gas was terrific, and the traces cf oil obtained warranted tho expert in concluding that it was petroleum gas, which is a very, sound, almost affirmative, indication of the existence .of thb long- ; looked for oil. The powerful descending apparatus was blocked in its movemont by the force of the escaping gas. Operations wore discontinued about five o clock. Samples of tho crude oil were secured by those present for exhibition purpose?. Mr Fair decided to tako the precaution of having a cap made to shut down tho oil in the event of it flowing out in a stream, as it is likely to do if in tho quantities anticipated. Mr Fair was thoroughly confident of bis most sanguine expectations being realised. The kind of gas escaping in such heavy volumes on Tuesday is the surest indication of tho presence of petroleum. 1 To give an idea of the strength of this gas it may be mentioned that in coming in, contact with it on Wednesday morning Mr Fair was nearly overpowered, and his eyes havo been affected by it. .