The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 1914. HUIROA OIL BORE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 98, 18 April 1914, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 1914. HUIROA OIL BORE.

Thoso who have not visited the sito of the boring operations which are being conducted by the Christchtirch Oilfields Company, Limited, at Huiroa, can have little idea of the magnitude of the enterprise. The splendid plant which for some months has been working is another evidence that there is still faith in the future of Taranaki's oilfields, and also that despite the many disappointments which have attended previous efforts to find petroleum in payable quantities in this country, there is capital i available to carry on the work. It is to bo hoped that the promoters of the bore at Huiroa—Messrs Nicholls and Watson—may reap their reward, and it is at any rate cheering to know that experts are well satisfied with the indications, though it is quite possible a flow of oil may not be struck until the well is sunk another six or seven hundred feet. At present drilling is being pushed on as quickly as possible, and a depth of nearly 2200 ft. has been reached. Uoring is, at this stage, very tedious, owing to the sticky nature of the papa the drillers are now on, but it is confidently believed that the strata is part of a groat impervious oil-cap, which guards the treasure in nature's rast underground storehouse. A staff of picked men are at work, and in the quiet rural spot where the bore is located, the hum of machinery and the hustle of industry are even more striking than if the bore were situated near a well-populated centre. The success of operations at Huiroa will ho a big thing for the whole of the district, for though very few shares in the. venture are held locally, there are enormous indirect benefits which must follow the striking of oil in payable, quantities. Geologist;? have offered the opinion that a. great oilfield lies between Mt. Egmont and the soa, and some assert that the spot chosen at Huiroa as the experimental bore is as likely a one as any in the

province from which to tap the field. Though, of course, so far quite a matter of conjecture, it is probable that a depth of about 3000 feet may have to be reached, and as the well-site referred to is between six and seven hundred feet above sea-level, this is not unlikely. Further developments will be watched with deep interest, and it will be good news indeed, if, within the next few months, we are able to record that oil has been struck at Huiroa.