Oil at Rotokautuku.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 1009, 8 December 1881, Page 2

Oil at Rotokautuku.

Yesterday most cheering and important news was received from the Mine Manager of the Southern Cross Petroleum Company’s Ground at Rotokautuku. The tubes are down about 125 feet, with an excellent show of oil. It appears that, after leaving work the other night, everything was left “ snug and taut,” as the sailors say, and shortly afterwards something resembling a clap of thunder was heard, but still of too earthly a nature for those who heard it to rest satisfied without search for the cause. On examining the well it it was found that an enormous explosion of gas had taken place, forcing the tools up into the air, and breaking the strands of a 7-inↄh coir cable to which they were attached. The damage was speedily repaired, but that, such as it was, was speedily lost sight of from the presence of petroleum, which welled up in the tubes in such quantity as to indicate its permanency. A messenger was despatched from the ground immediately after, and with every assurance that we may look forward for a confirmation of what we have already heard. Mr Haase, the official manager of the Company, starts this morning for Rotokautuku, on business of importance, and we doubt not that these conjunctive facts have their significancy, and will have an advantageous influence on the prospects of the Company.