HOLIDAY TAMBLE TO SOUTH PACIFIC OIL SPRINGS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1233, 27 December 1882, Page 2

HOLIDAY TAMBLE TO SOUTH PACIFIC OIL SPRINGS.

_ __ arrived at the above works on the evening of the 24th after a very pleasant, although, perhaps, a little dusty ride, totthd our manager, Mr Frank Weaver, and hien waiting for the 12 o'clock "tower.” The pipes up to this time have been driven 36ft. 3in. for about 4J hours’ work. Found the machinery in excellent working order. December 25ih. This morning We had an unexpected vfett frpm Mr Motley, of Napier, who with otirhelves inspected the works, and found that the huge pipes were being driven home at a great rate. The lattoT gefi'tlemiin expressed nil surprise at tjrt rapid progress that wae being made, ind left fir Glabome tFs same day fully assured that the rihWhs were left ill competent halide—When in Weaver’s. During our short sfoy Sere Mr Wearer gave Us all the information we desired in m the working, of the mine. At 9 o'clock,, we visited this ' 1 oil rig" and found the wtirit of “drilllhg” going on, previotti ft the sinking of tfe*h pipes. One cantot but be struck with the arrangements that are made in Order to save lots of time and expense. The working of "cleaning out" (with the land pump), saving been completed, orders were now given for the sinking of fresh pipes, whfch having been adjusted were soon SUnk into the ground at a fast rate, making now a depth of 45ft. lin. There are at present five pipes driven into the ground, namely

From the top of these pipes one oan look down and see that they are beautifully plumb, which anyone who knows any thing about oil boring must admit this to be a great feature. Here my attention was drawn, by Mr Motley, to the thin seain which had the appearance of oil floating on the top of the water at'the bottom of the pipes, and when the “ drilling tools” were drawn up the clay that was attached to them gave a very strong odor of petroleum ; the sandstone was also saturated with petroleum. Mr Weaver is confident that he will reach 150 feet before many days are over. One cannot shut his eyes to the fact that the Company, in securing the services of Mr Weaver, have (in the interests of the shareholders) got the right man in the right place. He is not only here to superintend the works but can be found always with his “ Franklin frock” on, doing his 12 hour “tower;” aman not afraid of soiling hi* hands. ft. in. Length of 6th pipe 8 8 7th „ 8 9 Bth 8 1 According to what they have been doing (barring any unforeseen accident) they ought to be able to put down 4 pipes every 24 hours. December 26th. Just when we were leaving the mine Mr Weaver gave orders for the new “drilling tools" to be adjusted, so, he says, we may expect “to hear from him.” The present depth of the pipes is 70 feet 7 inches. The thermometer stood at 65 in the shade at 7.15 a.m.

Even although we were away from civilisation Mrs Price did not forget to prepare a few good things for Christmas. The Te Kooti scare reached the works prior to our arrival, when one of our number was seen making the quickest time on record across country about the middle of the night with his blankets in hand, to be in readiness should the bold warrior come.

Perhaps one might here suggest, seeing that these springs are likely to be visited during the summer months by shareholders, and non-ehareholdera, that a little more accommodation should be made for travellers—say a ‘ whare,’ which couldibe easily built and fitted up at a small cost, although we cannot grumble for we had quiet possession of “Mr Weaver’s diggings,” which we found very comfortably furnished. Arriving in town at 7 we came to the conclusion that the works are well worthy of " a visit, especially to those who have never seen any oil well* in proper working order.” Felix.

ft. in. Shoe 0 4 1st Pipe 8 6 2nd „ 8 2 Shi „ 10 2 4th „ fl 1 Sth „ 8 10