PETROLEUM NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 184, 8 September 1909, Page 2

PETROLEUM NEWS.

THE MOTUROA FIRE. A meeting of the directors of the Taranaki Petroleum Co. was held yesterday morning to consider what steps should be taken for the resumption of operation- at the No. 3 derrick, which was destroyed by lire on Monday evening. It was decided (subject to'the .consent of the Whiteley Trustees, which it is thought will be readily obtained) to dcinove the derrick and plant from No. 4 bore to No. 3. They also decided to forthwith acquire the necessary requisites, so that they will be a readiness by the time that tiie derrick i,s transferred. This, it is anticipated, will occupy about three weeks. It is expected the pump, which has already been ordered, will be here by the time tlie derrick is re-erected.

ENQUIRY INTO THE""FIRE. A special meeting of the directors was hold last night to enquire into the fire at No. 3 bore, the following witnesses being examined:—Captain Hood, Messrs W. A. Simgsou (manager), L. Kei'h (head driller), S. Crozicr (engine-driver), W. Johnston (derrick hand), and Robinson (nightwatehman). It was unanimously agreed that the (ire was accidental)- caused. The enquiry lasted three hours.

■Mr. Hickman F. Russell writes to Hi" editor:—"l note that there is to le an inquiry into the origin of the lire at No. 3 bore by the directors, on the spot ,on Wednesday afternoon. I do not think such an inquiry will satisfy the majority of even the local shareholder., ami is certainly not likely to prove satisfactory to the anany large out-mie holders. The venture is scarcsiy of purely local moment, and therefor, lor our credit's sake, let the inquiry be "f as open a nature as possible. 1 w.ii'ld suggest that an inquiry be held by the Stipendiary Magistrate, and thus tr-e finding would be in due form and above suspicion. Possibly the directors themselves may see the advisability of asking for such a course to be taken, seeing that this is the third Are that hai occurred at the bores."