OIL IN NEW GUINEA

Hokitika Guardian, 6 August 1921, Page 1

OIL IN NEW GUINEA

THE SEARCH GOES ON. SYDNEY, July 26. Everyone in Australia .and New Zealand is naturally interested in the search for oil in New Guinea, wliich still goes on. Tho discovery of oil there in payable quantities would release these countries from the grip of the American octopus, and assist enormously in the development of motor power. Prospecting has been going on for years in Papua, with no success, but operations have now been extended into German New Guinea, where there are much better indications. There have been many disappointments in Papua for, though indications have been plentiful, and oil has actually been obtained, boring parties have not tapped tlie main supply. One theory is that the formation of the country permits the escape of the oil, which, being a migratory substance, takes advantage of an opening in the subterranean rock to make its way elsewhere. Tlie prospects are very encouraging in the late German territory, and several private parties are on in the interior, searching for the hidden wealth. Experts of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, which is working under an agreement with the Commonwealth by which each will share in the benefits to ho derived from the oil, if it is located, are making a very thorough survey of the country.

A Commonwealth scientific expedition, under Dr Campbell Brown, is now in the interior of the late German lands. This expedition created a lot of amusement lately. Tt went north many months ago, and seemed to get mislaid. It- was eventually discovered squabbling merrily in Raboul, and was ordered to get to work. Tt is now apparently at work, and part of its allotted duties consists of seeking for oil indications. The whole work of oil prospecting is being held up, because the Federal Government has not decided on a land policy for the mandated territories. Even if someone discovers oil, there will be great difficulty in getting any sort of lease over the land.