OIL IN NEW GUINEA
(PRDH SDR ODIN CORBESPONBtNT.)
■ SYDNEY, 26th July. Everyone in Australia and New Zealand is naturally interested in the search for oil in New Guinea, which still goes on. The discovery of oil there in payable quantities would release these countries from the grip of the American octopus and assist enormously in the development of motor-power.
Prospecting has been going on. for years in Papua, with no success, but operations have now been extended into German New Guinea, where there are much better indications. There have been many disappointments in Papua, for, though indications have been plentiful and oil has actually been obtained, boring parties have not tapped the main supply. One theory is that the formation of the country permits the escape of the oil, which, being a migratory substance, takes advantage of any opening in the subterranean rock to make its way elsewhere.
The prospects ara very encouraging in the late.German Territory, and several private parties are out in the interior, searching for the hidden wealth. Experts of the Artglo-Persian Oil Com«pany, which is working under an agreement with the Commonwealth, by which each will share in the benefits to be derived from the oil, if it is located, arc making a very thorough survey of the country.
A Commonwealth scientific expedition under Dr. Campbc-ll Brown is now in the interior' of the late German lands. This expedition created a lot of amusement lately. It went -north many months ago and seemed to get mislaid. It was eventually discovered squabbling merrily in Rabaul, and was ordered to get to work. It is now apparently at work, and part, of its allotted duties consists of seeking for oil indications.
Tho whole work of oil prospecting is being held up because the Verieril Gr.vernment has not decided on a land policy for the mandated territories. Jvven if someone discovers oil, there will be groat difficulty in gelling any sort cf lease over the land. '
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Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 28, 2 August 1921, Page 2
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327OIL IN NEW GUINEA Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 28, 2 August 1921, Page 2
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