PETROLEUM.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8121, 28 May 1906, Page 2

PETROLEUM.

THE SEVENTH BORE. Tho seventh bore, situated on Mr •John Voafe's farm, on the Frankley Road, was started on 23rd August, in red clay. At this tunc, tho directors procured a visit from Mr A. McKay, F.G.S., who investigated the indications of oil in the district. He slated l that from indications which ho found | within 150 yds of the abandoned No. 6 ( borp, he was satisfied that there had I been a crater and a small volcanic oruption, but that there was no indication of the effects having extended in ; tho dirootion of the site of No. 7 bore and he did not think that any other place inland was preferable to the latter site. Papa was reached at about 140 feet, to which depth tho 10-inch casing was carried. It continued for only a few feet, and gave way to gravel and small boulders, tiie gravel being co irse and of a basaltic character. The 6-incb casing had to be sent down and gradually lowered so as to prevent the gravel, etc., from running in. This continued to a depth of 3DO feet, when the volcaiic debris gave place to ooarse sand and water-worn boulders, there being every appearance of a former sea bench. Subsequently more boul ders were met, and at 366 feet an oily scum, smelling of petroleum, was noticeable, but it didnot increase as the depth proceeded and soon disappeared. 1 At 385 ftiet the yoleanic debris ceased, and a quicksand replaced it, which was reported on, after microscopic in--1 speetion, as composed of minute quartz ' crystals. Drilling became unnecessary, and the driller sank gradually by its own weight to 410 feet, where papa , was reached, after which progress was more rapid, and on 19th December the | contract depth of 1000 feet was com- . pleted, tho strata having then changed i to gravel. On measurement, the total . depth was found to be 1002 feet, and it . wai continued to 1220 feet before . tho company ceased work. This Wis the last work done by the New Plyi mo ith Petroleum Co. Ltd., which was . sho'tly afterwards wound up, the . whole of the plant and property being . disposed of by public tender, and pur- . chased by W. Alexander, of New Plymouth. Subsequently, Mr Alexander sold to a small syndicate of New Plymouth ! residents, of whom Mr Samuel was the largest shareholder, and with Mc--1 Lister as his driller, he continued ] No. 7 bore and at a depth of 1890 feet, j with water sent oil', struck a large gas supply, which was, however, shortly ; exhausted. The spoil in the pump at this timo showed indications of oil

By 29th August, 1900, a depth of 1992 feet was reached, with 1989 feet cased with 5-inch casing, the strata being there sandstone and papa. And on 12th October tho depth was 2050 feet without any show of oil or gas, and the syndicate determined to relinquish operations at that bore also, and met to consider whether they should subscribe more captital to bore elsewhere or not. Meanwhile they gave public notice to all settlers in the district that if they should find money for the bare wages and other cash expenses, they would lend their plant and appliances and bore wells in any part of the district. These offers were considered by tho settlers, but not sufficient funds were raised. The total cost of No. 7 boro, drilled to 2052 feet, was £I2OO.