SEARCH FOR OIL

Hokitika Guardian, 25 May 1929, Page 1

SEARCH FOR OIL

NEW GUINEA FIELDS

SYDNEY, May 11

Captain R. A. Hanlin, who returning to Sydney 'by the Montoro yesterday, lias been for seventeen months in sole charge of an Australian oil prospecting company’s operations at Marienburg. on the Sepik River, in the mandated territory of New Guinea.

“ There is no doubt about oil existing in the district,” said Captain Hanlin. The only problem remaining for us is to find a suitable geological structure to hold .a large quantity oi oil. The Anglo-Persian Company has already shown its interest-. One of their surveyors are already at work, and their final reports will he available in a month’s time.” * \

The indications of oil in large quantities. continued Captain Hanlin, are already so hopeful that already the question of how the Eitapo iield is to be controlled lias been raised. If. ho asserted, the directors of the AngloPersian Company will give the Commonwealth Government assurances that they will develop the oilfields then Chore will he no possibility of con f,ict with minor Australian companies. If. however, oil is discovered in largo quantities and the Anglo-Persian Coinpuny simply seeks control in ordei to hold such supplies in reserve, then the Australian companies will have to act ns is ’considered best for the interest of Australians.