OIL BORING IN KOTUKU.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11551, 6 April 1903, Page 6

OIL BORING IN KOTUKU.

A visitor from Greymouth at present in this oitv gave a representative of "The P.iws" soma particulars regarding the boring operations for oil now bc:r.y proceeded wkh in t'w Kotuku district. It is abouteighteen months ago since prospecting for oil, wfa'ch was previously known to exist in tiro district, took delinite form, and tho Kotuku Oil Association, with a capital of £3500, was floated in - Greymoivth. Tho association secured a lease, of 640 acres from tho Crown, but it was not till recently that the association was able to obtain a suitable boring plant. In the meantime Mr Cooper, who has h'td previous experience, in boring for oil in the North Island, ■took up an area adjoining that of the association, and has had a small plant ■working on it. Grca>b secrecy is being observe- regarding the operations!, but it is stated boring operations have reached! a depth of 300 feet. and. that by pumping oil has been obtained, several barrels of which have been sent 'to the North Island. Some two months ago the Kotuku Association secured a boring plant, which was previously used for a similar purpose ia Taranaki, and is capable of boring to a depth of 2000 feet. Boring operations wi'il start this week. Pipes for the total distaoice the plant is capable of boring have 'bet—' obtained, and are on the claim. "It is idle," remarked the gentleman, "to attempt to forecast what the resui-j of the operations may be. The. surface indications have pleased everyone, who has inspected them, including Mill. Gordon, ex-inspecting engineer of the Mines Department, and now oaisnectedwith tilio Statu Coal -Mines. A number of experts who have visited tbe. field also consider that the indications fully justify the stops taken by the association."