PETROLEUM.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 216, 18 October 1909, Page 4

PETROLEUM.

THE NO. 3 TEST. We have been requested to publish the following letter, which appeared in our contemporary on Saturday:— Sir, —Although averse to a newspaper controversy, we feel compelled to pur. before shareholders the exact position concerning Mr. Berry's test. In measuring up the oil at Xo. 2 bore after the trial, ilr. Berry thinks that .Messrs Sladden anil l'almer have unwittingly done him an injustice in connection with Ihe S2B gallons in the iron tank (next lu tile derrick), which turned out to be mostly silt. We notice in their measurement that they have credited Mr. Berry with unsteamed oil in the three iron tanks aggregating 3907 gallons. As the basis of the test was to be 011 steamed or crude oil, we think if llr. Berry analyses these figures he will see that lie has been credited with what he did not actually win. On referring to the agreement entered into between .Mr. Kerry and the directors we notice that Messrs Sladden and I'almci's figures as to measurement were to be accepted as the actual amount won. Another point on which air. Berry iays great emphasis is his leference to the 12 days lost during the time of the trial by the constant drawing of rods, etc., but lus carefully conceals the fact that he had 28' days, with an extension by the directors of another four days, excluding the Sunday coming between, in which to perforate casing, thoroughly overhaul plant and have matters ,so fixed up that mechanical dillicnlties should he reduced to a minimum. Concerning the actual time while this hore was under Mr. Berry's care and the actual amount of oil secured, as also the cost to the shareholders to produce it, we may have something to say later on. Mr. Berry, in referring further to the trial, would' have the shareholders believe it was only actually a 12 days' trial as far ->s pumping was concerned (it would he interesting to know exactly the number of hours put in outside the twelve hours per day in which Mr. Berry undertook to win the barrels of oil); hut coming to the contention of the letter, to use his own words, "I wish to say that never before, in any I*2 -days, was this quantity of oil obtained." In going through Mr. ErlanAson's reports furnished to the directors, he gives the following:—Commencing June 21 to June SO, 0 days, 00 barrels; June 28 to July 3, 82 barrels, or 148 barrels in 12 days, sgainst Mr. Berry's assertion previously referred to. It will be of interest to further peruse this report: From July 3 to 10. Hi barrels; from 12th to 17th,*27 barrels; from 111 tH in 24th, 40 barrels, or a total according to Mr. Erlandson's figures of 281 barrels in 30 'working (lavs. The foregoing periods in every case are the full time without reduction for time lost in pulling rods etc. Mr. Berry assumed control of this bore to superintend the drawing of the sin casing on the 23rd July.—We are etc., c. e. betjLringeh. J. B. HOY. C. CARTER.