“GREAT RIDGE ROSE”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 697, 24 June 1929, Page 1

“GREAT RIDGE ROSE”

Eye-Witness at Murchison LARGE GOLD FIND POSSIBLE Theory of Petroleum Explosion THE great ridge rose into the air. spreading' itself along the valley of the Matakitaki for a distance of nearly two miles. A thick pall of vaponr hung over the vanished ridge for upwards of an hour, and a powerful smell of sulphuretted hydrogen was noticeable.” In these graphic words, Mr. John A. Spencer, a field geologist employed by an oil prospecting company, described the calamitous upheaval which put the Murchison district under the shadow of death last Monday. Mr. Spencer ascribes the shifting of the ridge to a vast explosion of petroleum gas.

He considers, too, that gold beyond the dreams of avarice may be uncovered in the ridge.

Since 1924 Mr. Spencer has been engaged as a prospecting geologist in the district. He was at one time employed by the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, and then he went to New Guinea, coming from there to an engagement with the Muchison Oil Company. He now serves the Matakitaki Dredging Company, Sydney. During the past three months he has been drilling for gold and prospecting for oil on the Matakitaki River. Last Monday morning he had arranged to meet Mr. S. Busch, whose home was destroyed and family killed, when the ridge spread down into the valley.

“I was sitting on a fence,” said Mr. Spencer, “when Busch, who was coming toward me, stopped suddenly. Simultaneously came a huge earth shock, and the ridge on the west side of the Matakitaki River, 2,000 feet in height, shot upwards. Then it spread itself along the valley of the Matakitaki for a distance of a mile and threequarters by about 60 chains wide. The Busch home was overwhelmed, and Mrs. Busch and her son and daughter were lost for ever.”

“As the ridge spread itself toward the eastern bank it lifted the house of Mr. Charles Morel, and hurled itself against the opposite bank. Mr. Morel was wounded in the leg by a boulder, and his wife, who was buried in mud to the armpits, watched him bleed to death. Busch by this time

had to be restrained from flinging himself into the muddy deposit whfbli had buried liis family.” EXPLOSION THEORY During the past two years Mry Spencer has had unusual opportuneties for observing the geological con* ditions in the Murchison district, and particularly in the destroyed areaHis general conclusion regarding tho mountain formation was that* petroleum ga.3 would be, in all probability, generated within the miocene strata which overlie the arkose grits which in turn cover the granites. “It is not generally known,” he said, “but for years past violent explosions have been frequent in the mountain ranges of the Murchison district. Many residents have testified to the phenomenon, and I myself have heard sharp, bomb-like explosions in the ranges.” Mr. Spencer went on to say that hd had further definite and convincing confirmation of gas activity in the discovery of gas emanations in the Ma« takitaki ranges and those of the Blackwater, opposite. These emanations on being ignited have burned for months, proving conclusively that gas in volume was present. Government analysis showed that the gaa was derived from petroleum deposits,

“No volcanic evidences have ever been discovered in the Murchison district,” said Mr. Spencer, “and my theory is that the explosion whidh hurled away millions of tons of taltia

debris, must be traced to petroleunq gas generated within the miocene formations, w’hich has succeeded in penetrating a thin shale capping, liberating the forces which destroyed the range.” He went on to say that this phenomenon had been observed for many years on the miocene oilfields of the world, and it was common oilfield knowledge that tools weighing tons could be ejected from a bore and hurled for miles. There had been oil prospecting on Mr. Busch’s land for 18 months past, and the record of deposits, which had been lodged with the Government, were satisfactory. Negotiations were being made for the purchase of the farm at the time of the calamity. GOLD NUGGETS FOUND Mr. Spencer reports that large gold nuggets have already been found during excavations In the ridge now hurdled into the river. He believed previously that a bonanza existed within the terrace, and fossickers had found sizeable nuggets. “Now that the ridge has been overturned.” said Mr. Spencer, “it # is possible that gold beyond the dreams of avarice will be uncovered. It must be phenomenal if the prospecting already done is an indication.” Gold-rushers, who are certain to be casting covetous eyes toward the district are advised that the area has been secured under the Mining Act by a dredging company, and the right to prospect can only be obtained through that company.