THE OIL INDUSTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 February 1920, Page 5

THE OIL INDUSTRY.

1 _—. , I NEW FIELD OPENED. OPERATIONS AT CARRINGTONROAD. A fresh chapter in the history of the development of the oil industry in Taranaki was opened yesterday, when the operations of the British Petroleum Development Company were officially commenced on the company's property on the Carrington Road. The field is situated a little distance above the school on the same side of the road, and there was a gathering of about CO interested visitors to partake in the function, amongst those present being Messrs W. McKenzie Commons, Claude Motion, H. T. Gorric, and H. Thompson (directors), and Mr. P. A. Hadley (managing director), Mr. W. T_ Jennings, MP., and Mr. Jas. Clarke (Mayor of New Plymouth). There were also a number of ladies present. The visitors were motored out to the "camp" about midday, and after looking round tho various buildings, which had been designed to make the camp as self-con-tained as possible, luncheon was partaken of in a large marquee, and a few speeches in honor of the occasion were made, Mr. Commons, who presided, after proposing the loyal toast, which was honored in the usual way, welcomed the visitors on behalf of the directors of tho , company. The company's operations had ; been delayed on account of the war. and some people had really begun to wonder if anything was going to be done. The toast of "Local Industries" was then proposed by Mr. Motion and responded to by the Mavor of New Plymouth (Mr. James Clarke), who referred to what had been done previously in the matter of prospecting for oil, and hoped that, notwithstanding the present undertaking was in the hands of outside men. the nrc.sent, efforts would be successful, Tarnnaki wanted oil, and it did not matter much who the men were who got it. The chairman then congratulated Mr Had Icy oh (he prorrrci-s made up to the present and complimented him on the success attending the preliminary ar j rangeinents. A demonstration of boring onerations was then given in the derrick house, which was followed l\v the visitors with much interest. The well was christened with a bottle of Tnranaki oft bv Mrs Hadley. '«"''"