CORRESPONDENCE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 106, 19 November 1873, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

[Our columns are open for free discussion ; but we do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents.]

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, —I have much pleasure in complying with your request respecting my recent visit to the Oil Springs. The track as far as Muniratu is verv good, and the country through which it passes, I have no hesitation in saying is of the best in New Zealand; even when standing on the hill overlooking the Mungatu Flat, table-lands and terraces are seen rising one above another until lost in the distance. The track from Mr. Cuff’s homestead to the oil springs is not good, in fact, most of the journey is performed up the bed < fa creek, which, with its interminable windings, becomes positively monotonous. This is not at all the best track that, is to be had. I am of opinion if has only been used hitherto because no one has taken the trouble to try and find a better. The springs are situated immediately beneath the highest peak of the block, continuing from thence about 500 yards in a southerly direction ; anyone approaching them from the lee side cannot fail to detect their presence at a great distance, 'fhe stratification, ns near as I could judge without a compass, runs about N.E. and S.W. From the vast quantities of limestone boulders in the creek, wc may safely conclude it is of limestone formation, and of a hard nature, as is demons! rated by the presence of crystallized limestone (frequently mistaken for quartz.) 1 am of opinion that the petroleum has found its way to the surface through some strata of a porous nature, being forced up by the enormous pressure of gas from below. At the largest spring the petroleum could be seen coming up through the water (rain) with which the well was filled,"in a chain of bubbles, each bubble emitting its quota of gas (as well as oil) on reaching the surface ; every rain must naturally flout away the petroleum which has accumulated in the wells which would account for the occasional scarcity of the article at the springs, the ground on all that side of the ridge inclining to the Waipaoa river is saturated with it. It is impossible to say how many springs there are without spending a longer period on the block than I could afford, I counted over twenty and I believe we had not seen half of them. Much has been said and speculated as to how the kerosine, when manufactured, is to be conveyed to the port, I am of opinion that no engineering difficulties exist in the way of a train road, which would be remunerative from the first week of its opening. The petroleum as it reaches the surface from American wells is in appearance like molasses, this is of an emerald green color, quite clear, but from the action of the sun and extraneous vegetable matter it quickly assumes a brownish color, we may therefore assume that Poverty Bay petroleum is naturally more pure than the American ; had there been one quarter such a show in any part of America or Canada it would have been worked years ago, speculators from every part of the continent would have flocked to it, and instead of being as now a place uninhabited by any orte, it would have been the centre of a populous and flourishing township; but New Zealanders as a rule are averse to going out of the ordinary money-making channels, consequently this splendid industry which equals if not surpasses any goldfield has hitherto remained unworked, it is satisfactory however that the people of Poverty Bay have at last awoke from their apathy and intend stretching forth their hands to take the wealth which nature has put within their grasp. I sincerely hope that when oil is struck there will not be any accidents as often takes place in America such as blowing derricks, pump and everything near it into the air. After having spent as much time as possible

on the block wc again made our way to the Mungatu flat and were hospitably entertained by Mr. A. Cuff, from thence into town the next day, having 'been to the oil springs and back in 48 hours including six hours spent on the block. — 1 am, &c., J. 11. Stubbs.