THE PETROLEUM DISCOVERY AT TARANAKI.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 52, 4 May 1866, Page 3

THE PETROLEUM DISCOVERY AT TARANAKI.

We are indebted to the kindness of a gentleman at Tauauaki for an interesting account ; of the discovery of oil in that province, from ; which we extract the following : — • From the earliest days of the settlement, i indications of oil were observed iv the neighborhood of the Sugar Loaves, but the fact

attracted little attention as the value of that production was not then known. A few months ago, however, some new arrivals resolved to bore and ascertain if it existed in paying quantities. Shortly after they commenced, they were stopped by the Provincial authorities; having however obtained a lease of the land, they recommenced work, but when at the depth of 40 feet, an accident occurred to their drill, which compelled them to cease work for a considerable time. A second bore was then commenced, which was again followed by a similar misfortune. Nothing daunted by these and other drawbucks, (among which may be mentioned, that some malicious persons during the meus absence from their work for a short time, wilfully destroyed their fan and other gear), these persevering fellows commenced to siuk a shaft, the majority of the stuff they sunk through being a sort of scoria, but about 40 ft. down a boulder was encountered which required blasting, Immediately this was shattered, gas began to be emitted so strongly that the workmen were obliged to suspend operations until they were provided with a fan and wiudsail; after this the cement became softer, and, also very greasy. At the depth of 55 feet, oil was first observed to rise from the bottom of the shaft, samples of which were sent to Nelson, Auckland and other cities, also a small quantity was refined and burnt in the Institute. The proprietors then finding their old shaft rather shaky, commeuced boring, and now at a depth of 95 feet have obtained oil in payable quantities, but they are still boring iv the hopes of obtaining a more abundant supply.