WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 1873.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 42, 9 April 1873, Page 2

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 1873.

Mr. Cooper who has just returned to town from the coast, gives an account of the very poor reception he received at the hands of the natives who have (or profess to have) interests in the land on which the oil springs are situated inland from Waiapu. It is not our intention to lay the whole particulars bare at this time, inasmuch as anything tending to exasperate them on a point about which they differ with eo much warmth, would not only not facilitate the object every well-wisher to the district must have in view—the peaceful and speedy possession of some of these blocks ; —but it would be the means of placing obstacles in the way of successful negotiations ; and likely to lead to unpleasant results, and an indefinite postponement of our acquiring them at all. Suffice it to say that Mr. Cooper was anything but successful himself; and, perhaps it might be well to appear to temporize, by putting someone else forward who may have a less direct interest in the matter. We have made free to offer this suggestion to Mr. Cooper, as he is, avowedly, working in this matter with a view to the early formation of a public company, so as to raise the capital necessary to active operations; therefore we view him in the light of a public man, and as such congratulate him on the success his labors in an opposite direction. In the Mangatu district there is every probability that he will be able to secure a block of about 6000 acres. In this block there are several springs the oils from which have stood the test of practical analyses. Among the more recent of them is that‘of Mr. Pond of Auckland whose report will be found in another column, amd must aid, to a great extent, in bringing

this long-taiked-of matter to a state of definedness. Upon the lease being secured, a company will be projected, offering 6UOO £5 shares for acceptance by intending shareholders. There can be no possible doubt that such a scheme will find general favor, as the advantages an oil distillery will offer to the Colony, and especially to this district are simply so incalculable that we need not wish for the best gold mine in the world (and that means in this Colony) in exchange for it. There are many other branches of husbandry which will spring frour jthis one that must not be lost sight of, aud which we beg to press upon the attention of the Government in considering the question of bonuses for native industry. It is estimated' that immediate employment will be afforded to quite 2000 men, including tinsmiths, coopers, box makers, oil refiners, engineers, Ac., to say nothing of general laborers ; and when this is ,doile, if success wait upon the endeavor, we shall be able to supply ourselves with oil at something like half its present cost, besides having extensive markets to supply outside.