WAIRARAPA OIL AREAS

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 24 May 1913, Page 5

WAIRARAPA OIL AREAS

DEPUTATION TO MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS.

At the A. and P. rooms in Masterton last evening, after the railway deputation had been heard, Mr A. H. Vile stated that he had been requested by Mr Hugh Morrison (President of the A. and P. Association), who was unavoidably absent, to bring under the notice of the Minister the question of obtaining a detailed survey of the East Coast district, with a view to ascertaining if it possessed oil in paying quantities! Mr Vile, quoted from Mr J. I). Henry's work to show that there were splendid indications of oil in the district, and lie pointed out that with the diminishing supplies of coal, it was essential, in the interests of the country, that the oil areaa should be fully developed. The Hon. W. Fraser, in reply, stated that Mr Morgan, of the Geological Department, had been employed for some time on the West Coast, and it would take him some time to prepar his report on that district'. When he was sent afield again, it was very probable that he would lie instructed to report on the area, that had been referred to. He could hold out no hope that the Government would sink bores for oil. This was! a .matter for private enterprise. The Government wished, however, to assist in the development of the resources of the Dominion. He could not say absolutely that he would send Mr Morgan to the Wairarapa in the spring time; but he would seriously consider the advisability of doing so. —(Applause.)