OBITUARY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81894, 27 November 1906, Page 2

OBITUARY.

GEORGE CHARLES F.Vi'k. The dcuth, which occurred jesicsday morning, of Mr G. C. Km-. pe tioleum expert, and managu ol tie Tai'diiuki Petroleum Company, wouh: be received with regret in all pavu of tiie colony, for with the tapping of oil ill the Birthday bove, his name is inseparably associated. Mr Fair, who was of Irish descent, was born in Petrolia, an oil region in Canada, 48 year ago, and during' his whole lifetime has been engaged in petroleum boring and kindred occupations. Ere coming to the colonies, he thoroughly mastered his calling by his experience 011 all the principal American fields, as well as in Roumania a'nd Galicia.. in Europe. Some years ago he came out to Australia, where he successfully sank some very deep ar- | tesian bores. In 11)04, when an Australian syndicate resumed prospecting for oil operations at New Plymouth, Mr Fair was appointed in charge of tlie work. After a depth of 2100 ft had been reached without- striking a "gusher," the syndicate, contrary to Mr Fair's advice, suspended operations, and a small local company took over the plants and rights. That small company, of which the late Mr Fair was the moving spirit, became, mainly through his expert knowledge, his physical efforts, and his cheery optimism, the New Zealandowned Taranaki Petroleum Company of to-day. ft is now a matter of ■ history how, a few months ago, after ' tremendous up-hill fighting in the 1 face of difficulties and vicissitudes

that would have discouraged almost any man but the redoubtable George Fair, oil was struck in Hie famous Birthday well. Tho grim determination with which all the underground I difficulties _of boring, that had bafI fled experts for over forty years, were overcome, are known only A those who closely watched tho progress of events at Moturoa. While practically the whole colony was sccptica', George Fair remained sanguine, and eventually proved the correctness of his expert, judgment. It is sad that Fate denied him the enjoyment of the fruits of his labour. The strain and worry of his labours told 011 his constitution, however, and his health completely gave way immediately after the recent meeting of the company, an old inward trouble develop-1 ihg. A critical operation for appendicitis brought no relief, peritonitis supervening, and h e gradually sank. Ile leaves a widow and one young son, for whom genuine sympathy is felt. The funeral takes place at the Te Henui cemetery to-day.