The Daily News TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7. THE OIL-WELL DISASTER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 183, 7 September 1909, Page 2

The Daily News TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7. THE OIL-WELL DISASTER.

The unfortunate occurrence at the Taranaki Petroleum Company's number 3 > bore last night, while disconcerting and ; discouraging, need not in the sliglitefit degree cause any misgivings as to the ultimate success of the industry. The history of oil-boring in Taranaki has been one of strenuous endeavor in the face of disappointments, and it is not likely now, when permanent success has been so nearly attained, that tlie loss of a few hundred pounds' worth of plant will in any way hinder the strong policy of development of late adopted by the directorate. Had the indications at this ill-fated well lu-cn less favorable, the position would have been altogether difl'ereat, but it cannot be forgotten that it wau the very success of the well that directly led to the disaster. Since Mr. SimpM'u "bottomed"* in the bore some wci-w < ago, he has secured a splendid jainpN l of oil in appreciable quantities, and o;iiy on Saturday he had been successful in further lowering the casing to a greatcT depth with a view to further testing - the hole to prove that it was watertight. And by the irony of fate, just when his yesterday's work had apparently proved this to be the case, a greater misfortune than any lu» had anticipated to "hit" in ihe bowels of the earth overtook him where safety j shouid have been secure. During yes- , terdav a considerable quantity of oil | (lowed without mechanical assifitanco. 1 and several barrels were secured'. Again last night, after the staff had ceased j 1 work for the day, the oil unexpectedly , commenced to How from the mouth of' the pipe, accompanied by a considerable volume of gas. That this gas came '.n contact with the smouldering lire in the boiler some distance away i« the only reasonable theory that can be advanced for the mishap. This danger has long been recognised, and precautions h<i:l been taken to minimise it as much us possible. It was recognised at the >*o. 2 l>ore, wheiv the boiler was erected ii a detached building. However, there is nothing to be gained now by deploring the structural disadvantage; they -were not so apparent when {he plant was originally erected. But having learned in tho. school of experience, the manager should insist, and the directors see to it, that no such danger shall be permitted to exist, in ihe future. We have not the slightest doubt that the directors will de. eidc to-day to immediately re-construct the derrick, and instal the new plant necessary—a work that will probably take a month or six weeks to complete. Provided, as seemed last night to 'be the case, that the well itself Ims suffered no injury, the work of testing can the.i be resumed just where, it was stopped at six o'clock last night. If the oil continues to flow, however, it anight be pos. sible to erect some temporary structure by which the pump, which should soon arrive, can be .put into operation. Meanwhile shareholders need not be discouraged by the temporary set-hack; the difficulties that have had to be overcome will make the success of the venture all the sweeter for those who have throughout shown faith in the industry. The worst that can be said is that suc- • cess has been delayed, ayd wc fully sympathise with Mr. Simpson and the directors in their ill-luck.