Thank you for correcting the text in this article. Your corrections improve Papers Past searches for everyone. See the latest corrections.

This article contains searchable text which was automatically generated and may contain errors. Join the community and correct any errors you spot to help us improve Papers Past.

Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image

TARANAKI OIL WELLS.

I SERIOUS MISHAP. NEW PLYMOUTH, September 8. A disaster overtook the Taranaki Petroleum Company's No. 3 bore at 6.30 this evening shortly after work had ceased and the night watchman had come on duty. It appears _that the oil, which had 1 been flowing, spasmodically all day, recommenced about 6.15, and the watchman filled one barrel and went outsider to secure another empty barrel. Astronjf wind was blowing, and it is believed tha\ the gas which was issuing strongly from the bore was swept by the wind into th* boiler room, some distance away. In art instant the whole place was a mass of flames, the gas and oil issuing from th<^ bore helping to feed the blaze. Thewhol* of the derrick was demolished within an hour, but, through the exertions of the manager and staff, it is believed that- the ■ boie iteelf is intact and safe. The directors will meet in the morning, * when immediate rebuilding operations will be decided on. The occurrence is particularly unfortunate at the present time,' as the producing capacity of this, as well' as No. 2 bore, was practically proved. ; It is not known whether the machinery! ' is seriously damaged, but in any case the further work of developing at the bore will be thrown back at least four weeks. It is a. .«in«rular coincidence that this well was demolished by a fire ensuing on af ga.s explosion some years ago, and it is only within the last year that it has been reopened. The prospecte of the com- . pany are in no way hampered by the pr«« sent occun'ence.

Schlag-bruecker is a small village near the- great Krupp gun factories, and damage is often done by projectiles during the testing of the big guns. Compensation for this damage is a big item of the firm's, expenditure, and Krupps have decided to' buy the village outright and raze it to the ground. • The Wanga-nui Ha.rbour Board has secured the services of the Wellington Har* bour Board 1 diver, accustomed to explosives, > to blow up the steamer Charles Edward^ ' Operations are to begin at once, and in a( few days the old steamer sihouLd be demol-« " iehed.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/OW19090908.2.184

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Otago Witness, Issue 2895, 8 September 1909, Page 26

Word count
Tapeke kupu
365

TARANAKI OIL WELLS. Otago Witness, Issue 2895, 8 September 1909, Page 26

TARANAKI OIL WELLS. Otago Witness, Issue 2895, 8 September 1909, Page 26

Help

Log in or create a Papers Past website account

Use your Papers Past website account to correct newspaper text.

By creating and using this account you agree to our terms of use.

Log in with RealMe®

If you’ve used a RealMe login somewhere else, you can use it here too. If you don’t already have a username and password, just click Log in and you can choose to create one.


Log in again to continue your work

Your session has expired.

Log in again with RealMe®


Alert