WEST COAST DEVELOPMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 December 1921, Page 3

WEST COAST DEVELOPMENT.

IMPORTANT PROJECT IN MURCHISON DISTRICT. An important oil development is likely to result in the Murchison district of the West Coast. The Sydney iJtily Telegraph of the Ist. insl has the following, which it will be observed refers to tlio late visit of Mr James Kurils to this district. While-here Mr Burns attention was drawn to the project and along with other local residents he became interested in the venture. The following is the newspaper extract: . OIL IN NEW ZEALAND.

Samples of oil obtained at MatakiTalu. in the South Island. New Zealand, by Mr James Burns, have been brought to Sydney, with a view to the exploitation of the “find”. Mr Burns stated yesterday that the oil is exuding through a soft sandstone formation, and bis purpose is to secure support to tap the gushers, which his investigations lead him to believe lie has located approximately, and to provide requisite facilities for the marketing of the product. He states he lias secured a title to the country in the vicinity of his discovery. An analysis of the oil by Mr H. MeLaurin, Government Analyst for New Zealand is said to have described the sample tested as “crude petroleum of excellent quality.” If it should lx* decided to proceed to the formation of a company to bore, etc., it is intended to establish its headquarters in New South Wales. That, as well as financial and other considerations, have, however, yet to be dealt with.