Struck Oil.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3341, 6 September 1879, Page 4

Struck Oil.

Says a Southern contemporary of a recent date:—-What promises to be one of the most important of our colonial industries has lately been discovered in the Poverty district. Some» two or three years ago mention was made of the fact that petroleum of a fine quality was easily obtainable in that part of the colony, but it was not until some time had elapsed that an effort was made to develop this new found source of wealth. Eventually a company was formed for _ the purpose of working the springs, and producing in the colony a marketable oil of good quality; but through want of the requisite knowledge to carry out the project to a successful issue, tbe company had to abandon the attempt. We now hear that several American gentlemen who have had experience in the working of the oil springs of Pennslyvania, have offered /to take over the concern and work it If ew Zealand will perhaps some iay rival America in her production, of petroleum, and the expression "Struck ; oil ** may come to be as significant and as common in this country as it has been since 1859 in the United States. A gentleman with local knowlodge of the oil region in the North'lsland, and who is now on a visit to Oamaru, has given us some information as to the nature of the springs, and the supply of oil likely to be obtained from them. We have seen a sample of the oft which is to bo obtained at Poverty Bay. Although in a crude, unprepared state, it is almost as clear and; limpid as the kerosene in ordinary household use, and burns as brightly and as well as that imported into the colony. We are, told that in Poverty Bay it is often used in its natural state, without causing any apprehensions of danger. There will be no necessity to adulterate the oil, as is often done elsewhere, as the supply is so abundant, and covers so vast an area that its pollution would be a more expensive proceeding than supplying it as a pure article. This is one point in its favor, as it lessens the danger which arises from the use of kerosene, especially kerosene which has undergone adulteration. The. oil found at Poverty Bay can be purified and put free on board at Gisborne at over one-fourth less in cost than what is now paid for kerosene imported from America. With these advantages we hope that this colony will soon reap the benefit desirable from the developement of this, one of the most valuable of its natural resources.