A CITIZENS' SEND-OFF.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 318, 3 June 1911, Page 8

A CITIZENS' SEND-OFF.

TO MR. C. CARTER. THE PETROLEUM EMISSARY. Yesterday afternoon there gathered in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall a very large number of citizens, fully rcpres'entatfve of all the business interests of New Plymouth. The object of the gathering was to say good-bye and wish good luck to Mr. 0. Carter, chairman of directors of the Taranaki Petroleum Company, who left last night en route to London to conclude negotiations with the English syndicate which is acquiring its properties. Mr. G. Tisch (Mayor) presided, and remarked that Mr. Carter, who was leaving New Plymouth that evening for the Old Country, had come to New Plymouth thirty years ago and had established a very comfortable business, being willing, however, thanks to his public apiritedness, to devote a great'deal of valuable time to the interests of the town and the district also. In 1893 he became a member of the New Plymouth Licensing Bench, and in 1!M)2 he was elected to the Borough Council. "I was elected at the same time," said the Mayor, "and I owe him much. He prompted me and helped me to -steer clear of shoals." As a member of the Taranaki County Council their guest had achieved distinction by throwing his whole heart into his work. As a director of the Taranaki Petroleum Company and its chairman. Mr. Carter had gained the entire confidence of his fellow directors and his fellow citizens. He al-

ways did his duty manfully and honestly; Mr. Tisch then handed to Mr. Carter a pair of beautiful binoculars with case and sling, bearing a silver plate suitably inscribed. The Mayor quaintly remarked that he hoped he might use them to locate any possible "oil-gushers." (Laughter). He then cordially wished Mr. and Mrs. Carter "bon voyage" and a safe return.

Mr. 11. Okey. M.P., said that Mr. Carter proceeded to the Home Country on important business by the unanimous desire of his fellow directors. He was a man in whom the most implicit confidence could be placed. Air. Henry had desired that Mr. Carter should complete the negotiations in London, so that no risks should be run. He anticipated a splendid flotation. Mr. Okey said that the Petroleum Company was extremely fortunate in having its interests purchased by a sound company able to adequately finance the industry in a small district. Small shareholders might be a little dissatisfied, but it was far hetter to be attached to a powerful English company than to a weak local one. Their holdings would be twice as valuable in the new concern. If British capital had been put into prospecting and boring twenty or thirty years ago the developments now promised would not have been delayed. He paid a tribute to Mr. Carter and his services as a local public man, and hoped that he and Mrs. Carter would have a splendid time. Mr. E. Griffiths (president of the Tarannki Chamber of Commerce), speaking on behalf of that body and for the business section of the community, said that it was not only necessary to send an emissary in whom the whole public had the greatest confidence, but it was vitally necessary to have British capita! in the oil industry of Taranaki. It had" been delayed too long. The "dog-in-the-manger" people who thought it a pity to sell to an outside concern did not realise what the position would be. Many of the most important oil-fields of the world were important because of the British capital which had created them. The shareholders would benefit and the town would improve. Mr. Griffiths ended by paying a tribute to Mr. Carter's citizenship and the expression of good wishes. Mr. Xewton King said he had been associated with Hie oil industry, but had given it up too soon. (Laughter). He was a small shareholder still, and Mr.

Carter had the esteem of all shareholders. He felt certain that the negotiations could be in no better hands than in those of Mr. Carter. MR. CARTER'S REPLY. 'On rising to reply, Mr. Carter was greeted with prolonged applause. lie thanked t-he meeting heartily for its appreciation of what he had been willing and anxious to do for an industry with vast potentialities. Ho had never worked for reward, but because df his 1 < in the industry and in the district. (Applause). The oil industry promised to work a wonderful difference in this beautiful little town.. It might easSy transform it from a beautiful little town to a beautiful great city. In a few years, under the benevolent influence of British

capital, not only one company, but many companies might be engaged in the Taranaki. oilfield. (Cheers). Lack of capital was a handicap, and it was therefore quite wonderful that the present company, with only ;G3(i,ooo.should have been able to find and work two paying wells. There woMld, he hoped, be* another payable bore in full swing at Xo. 5 before he reached Britain. The shareholders may have had some slight misapprehension as to the transfer, but the whole position would be minutely stated by circular in a few days. It was a pity the rumor had become current that a sale had not been effected. He went Home to sign a contract, and the important phases of negotiations would be disclosed at the earliest opportunity. The iron industry would go hand-in-harid with the oil industry. POSSIBILITIES OF THE TOWX.

A sum of £2OOO paid to the Harbor Board was an earnest of the development promised. Already it had been shown that the proposed ironsand smelting company would require, tens of thousands of oil fuel for their work. If only to supply this fuel the suocess of many wells was assured. Enquiries had come from Sydney for 180,000 gallons of crude oil for refining. The company had been handicapped in the important matter of refining by lack-of capital. These difficulties were disappearing. Side by side with the development of the oil and ironsand industries, the splendid —aspects ahead at Mokau must be consider ed. All these developments must affect Xew Plymouth beneficially as a port and a distributing centre. All things were working in unison for a glad future for this town. If all the people were seised of tin grralue=s of New Plymouth's future they would not hesitate in pusliin" on with every kind of enterprise und the contract was signed. Xo W was the

time to move. The oil industry grew on one like the drink, lie was at home accused of being a sardine--cured in oil! (Laughter). The result of the disposal of the company's interest was seen in the buoyancy of the town already. There was a greater local confidence and local confidence inspired outside confidence. (Applause). He was more than gratified at the generous way his directors had treated him—in the confidence they had imposed in him. lie paid a warm tribute to Mr. Keith, the company's manager. He was a "white" man, straight up and down, and a true worker. (Applause). Mr. Henry had told him that that but for Messrs Watk'ns and Fox he would not have come t New Zealand, and therefore the thanks of the community were due to those gentlemen. "We don't fully realise what Mr. Henry's visit has done for us yet," said Mr. Carter. "He got Home and boomed Taranaki oil for all it was worth, because it was worth all he could say ahout it. Mr. Henry was one of the world's most noted oil men, and he had so much confidence in Ta ranaki oil that ho was going to devote the whole of a period to it and was coming out to initiate the new order of things and see the plant in working order." (Applause). Mr. Carter said the local Press had been of invaluable service, because it had not only helped in spreading the good tidings of oil over the whole country, but it had shown faith and hope. This faith and hope had been amply justified. In conclusion, Mr. Carter said the meeting was a hard one to face. It wa*» wholly kind and sympathetic. "I go to London promising that my head will grow no bigger, but that my heart will be bigger for the oil industry of Taranaki." Subsequently the citizens present bade individual and cordial farewells to their guest.