SEARCH FOR OIL IN NEW ZEALAND

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 264, 5 August 1939, Page 10

SEARCH FOR OIL IN NEW ZEALAND

American Experts Arrive

To Make Survey

MODERN EQUIPMENT TO BE USED By Telegraph —Press Association, AUCKLAND, August 4. Marking a further important development in the search for oil in New Zealand, a large party of American experts arrived by the Monterey, bringing with it about £l4OO worth of equij>ment. The party will join experts from the Superior Oil Company, of California, who through a subsidiary company, the Superior Oil Company, of New Zealand, Limited, have been working in the Dominion since last October. The company has oil prospecting permits for six areas in Manawatu, Dunnevirke ami Taihape districts, and five geologists' have been engaged in these fields for some time.

Operations in New Zealand are in charge of Mr. E. V. Winterer, the company’s chief geologist, and Mr. R. E. Turner, head of the New Zealand party. They were in Auckland today to meet the new arrivals. Those on the Monterey included a geophysical party, under Mr. P. C. Kelly, an additional geologist, Mr. N. W. Wickes, and Mr. C. Murdock, who is in charge of equipment.

A large quantity of the most modern equipment for aidii»r in the search for oil was landed from I lie Monterey during the day. It included a portable rotary drill, a recording truck, a geophone truck, a water truck, a shooter’s truck, carrying a drill and a winch for lowering dynamite charges, and several smaller vehicles.

A large-scale geophysical survey will begin at once, and will last from six to eight months. Combined operations will cost £3OOO a month. It is not proposed to start drilling for at least six months.