SOUTHERN CROSS PETROLEUM COMPANY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1207, 22 November 1882, Page 2

SOUTHERN CROSS PETROLEUM COMPANY.

According to the manager's summons, there was a full meeting of the directors of the Southern Cross Petroleum Company on Saturday evening, when the subject of Mr Hilton’s communication was discussed. It appears that Mr Hilton has tried the ground some 10ft. or so beyond the bottom, on which it was supposed sound and solid rock was obtained at 157 ft. (fin., but after some experiments Mr Hilton came to the conclusion that the shaft should be sunk deeper, in which opinion the majority of the directors coincided. The work will be pushed on with all speed. 51 curbs are now ordered, nine are en route. This should give a result of sinking to over 200 ft., the depth originally contemplated under the recent contract. Petroleum is perceptibly increasing in rising from the bottom of the shaft. Mr Hilton has made some curious observations respecting the weather. At the time of the greatest yield of oil the weather is bright and fine : but if rain is within 24 hours’ distance, the oil yield will decrease, so that the oil well is a natural barometer. We understand that Mr Hilton will leave town tomorrow, when sinking will be at once resumed in much more easy ground than has before been met with.