Grey River Argus and Blackball news. PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30th 1807

Grey River Argus, 30 October 1907, Page 2

Grey River Argus and Blackball news. PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30th 1807

THE public are beginning to lose that faith in the petroleum lands of Taranaki that ■ once -possessed them. .-. This may prove as unreasonable, as . the ■feverish excitement that developed after oil in quantity was struck a few months ago, when petroleum stock was quoted: at fabulous ■ prices: -Without knowing : .mvucji of the details of the, field, the public will be -guided ■mainly by the. striking ; fact .that although boring ihas been going on for years, and real oil has been found, to. the extent of a few hundred barrels, the oil-field may yet be a long way from being pay-able. O,ne point that comes out clear enough since Mr Fair's death is that there are no shallow oil wells, and that if payable deposits of oil -arc -to. be yet found at' the base. of Mt ' Egmont,-the borings will be very" deep, muchdeepfer than any are yet down. The last an-nual report of the. Taranaki Petroleum Company Limited, which will be read and discussed at New Plymouth on the Ist "prox, throws a good deal of light on the ...subject. .As ■■Greymouth.- is not without hope in the way of oil developments at Kotuku, and probably elsewhere on the Coast, information regarding how oil matters are in the Taranaki' district will be of some "interest to our readers. The ' new manager (Mr W. A. Simpson); -imported from Canada, says that all the, wells are in a sound--1 er and more satisfactory position than I they ...weref before.' The first, or "Birthday? 1 , bore,.^ which is down 2,---.269 feet, has not realised expectations The' oil -came only ' in ' small quantities. TEe only remedy appears to be to keep on^ boring. At No^' '2 bore all the surface water i£ shut ofif and only , a little salt (not sea) water is coming in. This is regarded as a very good mdication, as it almost invariably accompanies any large supply of oil. A considerable quantity of oil as well as gas has been obtained, and further dievielopments .are expected) before long. No 3 bore is down 2372 feet. The formation at that depth' is a granular limestone. Probably before ■the date of the meeting- water will be shut off and sinking deeper commenced, when it is hoped that larger and more permanent oil bearing strata . will be reached. Each" of these three

bores has been, and is still giving oil, "' yet it seems that all the oil obtained, .some 5j260" gallons, was from small veins, and in ground soft to shut off water or to stand up withoutj caving, and not 'from the main stratum it is expected . will be found. As~the advice of the expert is against sinking many bores at the present stage, ■> Nos. 4 and 5 bores have been temporarily shut down until Nos. 1, 2 and 3 have been thoroughly tested. Double shifts have been -put on for that pur.pose. It is claimed for the Taranaki oil, on the strength of analyses by Home experimental chemists, that it is the most valuable oil yet discovered. With the people of this part of the Coast the feeling is t-h.it the palm goes to the Kotuku oil. 4 But that point need not be discussed. It appears now that the directors are not so much exercised :by the success of their different bores as about starting a refinery. One would naturally think it time enough to consider how to provide a refinery when there was no longer any doubt as to an abundant yield of oil. The balance-sheet shows that the number of shares held at present is 87,735 — fully paid 56,000, and contributing 31,735. The liability on these shares in round numbers is £71,660. Other liabilities are — Forfeited share capital, £28 ; sundry creditors, amount paid in anticipation of call, £33. . The total liabilities are thus £72, 318. The assets of the Company are — Freehold property and options, Cost of bores, including plaint — No 1, £1456 > No 2, £3008; No 3, £2617; No 4j £2319; No. 5, £955— Total, £10,357Casing, £2030 ; tools and general plant, £229 ; casks, £42 ; refinery site, surveys, etc, £113; office furniture and stationery, £127; flotation. expenses reserve (pending appeal case), £145 ; Customs deposit, £17 ; sundry debtors, £65 ; imprest account, £5 ; Bank of New Zealand, £71 ; balance working account, £3930. Total £72,- ; 318. The difficulty now engaging attention is to sEut off the water in No 3 bore, which at latest accounts had reached a depth of 2398 feet, the greatest depth yet attained in New Zealand. All bores are showing more or less oil, but anything like a permanent supply is Jiot looked for until the hard strata that No 3. is now on is pierced. It is quite clear that the experience obtained since the excitement of a few months iback has greatly sobered people, so much so in fact that shares in oil are not so valuable by a long way as they were some time ago, while an enormous sum of money has been spent, for which there is little of value to show. In. this district there is .absolutely nothing to report, and an equal dearth of news in. oil. matters exists in the adjoming counties. Boring operations are still being carried on at Kotuku, sometimes under considerable difficulties. But there is no room to doubt that all the strata so far •bored through are penetrated with oil, and some saturated with it to such an extent that an idle bore-hole soon fills .with the richest kind of oil; arid although oil has been tapped in considerate quantity at shallow deptHs we are in the* same position as New Plymouth. The bores must -be put down to a greater depth until a flowsing well is struck or primary igneous rock is encountered, such as granite; and that is like Mahomet's seventh heaven, beyond it is of no avail to go. One practical point in Mr Simpson's advice is that it" is only a waste of ( time and energy to put down a fresh I hole at a less distance from the last bore than half a mile.- The position of oil-boring operations at Taranaki just now is by no means calculated to add to the hopes of oil enthusiasts on the Coast, and -there are a few. The Taranalci people have spent a lot of money, and only one of two courses is open to them : they must find more capita? to continue operations, or make up their minds to rest on the old advice that the first loss is tEe; ■best, and leave further prospecting to richer and more Hopeful persons. Tihe general meeting of the Ladies Swimming^ Club will be field at Trin- 1 ity Hall this evening at 7.30 o'clock. The Treasurer of the Greymouth Hospital desires to acknowledge the receipt of £72 from Mr A. G; Kemp, (being the proceeds of a ball in Greymouth. I The United Kingdom, now accepts from New Zealand parcels, insured from £60 to £400. The rate chargeable is is 6d for £60, 3d for each additional £12 up to £398 and 9s for £400. *..•- WANTED.— The public to come along to B. Dixon's odd line sale, starting to-day. Hundreds of lines being "sold for next to nothing-. At a meeting of the Wharf Laborers' Union it was decided to support Mr Slater as the workers' representative on the Arbitration Court. The meeting also decided to nominate Mr J. Scott, 'brother of Inspector Scott, of the Grey Education Board, as deputy. Tfie value of property in this bo-r---ough, is steadily increasing, and has now reached a very high figure. An offer, of £500 for a section of land a little over a qoiarter -acre in Cowper street was made and refused yesterday. The Greymouth Bowling Club have been presented with a handsome rug, valued at £3 3s, for competition from Messrs Macky, Logan, Caldwell and Co., of Wellington. The rug was presented to the club through Manson and Co, of this town, and is now on view" in their window on Mawhera 'Quay. .Messrs Tribe and Co's representative, A. L. Burns, Has decided to stay in Reef ton one week longer, so avail yourself, of this splendid opportunity and secure a suit for 53s with a free gift of a pair of trousers, cycling knickers, or a beautiful fancy vest. Mr Burns is at Dawson's sample rooms daily fromi. 9 a.m. till 8 p.m. and Saturdays. till 10 p.m.— Advt. HUNDREDS of . BARGAINS in Fancy Goods, Glassware, Books, Pictures, Sheets Music, and other lines at B Dixon's this week. As we have to ' make room for new Xmas stocks just arriving we are offering Hundreds of odd lines to you for next to nothing. The goods must .co, as we want the room". Sale for five days only, starting to-day. Come early and secure the bargains. — Advt. Yesterday afternoon a young man gave a large •numßer ojc spectators an interesting exhibition of rough riding near the Post' Office. The horse was a young one from the country, and did' not take kindly to town life. After . ttyj^fff to uns . eat its rider by plungfMfijJgßJd 'bucking, it turned a som^ilJirmackwkrds with the result ■that 'tfoe fitter had < all the pleasure he wanted, and led the Horse home. It is with feelings of regret that we have to chronicle the' death of Miss Eliza Alice, second daughter of Mr and Mrs Frederick Neame {settlers at Rangjriri, Christchurch road) •■■ which took place at their homestead at 5 o'clock on Monday morning. The deceased was 19 years of age; and was a native of "Larrikins." The deceased,. hkd been ailing: for about two months, and Hex demise has caused a wave of deep sympathy throughout the district. :■'■••■ • • " : "The ladies" of the Wesleyan congre-;g-ation),-are very busy to-day preparing for the Monster Bazaar to be openecl to-morrdw by His Worship the Mayor in'' the Public Hall at 3 p.m. A great deal _of interest is being manifested in 'tne arrangements, even the clerk of the weather has come to the rescue, and" turned off the tap. Judging from the quantity of useful, ornamental and artistic goods to be displayed, .the' stalls will look charming. The young men and lads also are 'having a' good dispay of useful articles, while the side-shows too numerous to mention will prove an attraction during the bazaar. The children are not forgotten, but will be entertained at the fairy well, out of •which wonderful . things ..will, come. The stage: will add its quota of i attraction also in -the pptaito peeling, by gentlemen, nail driving by the ladies, and Wool winding by young gentlemen who. will have . the privilege of choosing their lady partner in *the wind. The tableaux "Baittle of Flowers," and "Young Ladies College Pillar Fight," will be of a most attractive character. Don't forget 'thismonster bazaar at the Public Hall. ■Open on Wednesday and Tuesdayafternoon and evening. Admission afternoons free, jw.iiin^s t-iA^ciice. -

; The local contributions to the Salvation Army Self-Denial Fun^ were t 7u A2 'i^ ■ ■ total raised throughout j the Dominion was £i O) 88o, Christ- 1 church heading the list with £676. A Magistrate's Court Dialogue.— Witness: "Many men are liars." Mr •Beere : "Do you mean all men are liars?" Mr Wilford: ".He doesn't •mean that, for some men. are lawyers." Dr McArthurj S.M., (smiling) : "i "Aren't the terms synonymous?" Mr Wilford : "Well, sir, you yourself are a lawyer." Last week, it was reported that an J engine had been able to proceed on "I the railway line as far as_Cronadun, j and m a few months the time will be ready to open for traffic. The extenr sion of this service will most p&bably mean that the coaoh for Westport^will start from Cronadun instead of Reefton,, thus saving an hour's time on the journey to Westport. As the train leaving Greymouth starts at 7 o'clock in the morning, it is anticipated that it could leave an hour later, and still passengers, could get into Westport at the same time as they do now We understand the railway department have the matter under consideration. A strange human being, believed Passers by in Richmond Quay may - have noticed the look of pleasure and v, excitement on customers' counten- •' ances making their exit from Messrs Greenslade and Co's store. What is the meaning of this ? Why, the •portion of the .£SO reward they are taking away with them gives them the pleasure of knowing they have - done good business. Thrifty house- £^- wives are realising- the reward is no joke, but stern- reality. — Advt. •It cost £135.803 to pave, light and cleanse the City of London. last year. The first meerschaum .pipe was made in 1729, and is now in the Pesth Museum. -- to ibe a Chinaman escaped from the Rand Mines, is hiding in the bush at . Krantzkop, .Natal. .'People who have seen the man describ ehim as entirely nude, with. lon§ nails and deeply set eyes, and carrying a long knife. Mr A. T. Reid, son of Professor Reid, of Cambridge, while attempting to climb the Devil's Kitchen, Bethesda, Carnarvonshire, recently, was killed, and his companion, Mr Brigg, was severely injured. Mr A. G.. Simms, Government fruit expert, who recently visited Taranaki, states that the weather has considerably damaged plums and peaches. The effect has fortunately not been so severe on apples. In many cases trees were left without any foliage. German experts are claiming that the rotting "of potatoes is caused by a . • fungus growth which spreads rapidly from one potato to another, and are using a wash for the potatoes consisting of one pound of chloride of lime dissolved in 25 igallons of water. The potatoes are treated . when they are spread out to dry. Every quadruped, from an elephant to a new bom kitten, can swim. Man cannot", naturally.. (Here and there a freak is to be met who, thrown suddenly in tthe water, makes a successful fight_of it. For .the rest of us, natation Is an art laboriously acquired. So says ' St James's Budget. Experiments, however, tend to show that a young infant, dropped into water, J will swim as natural^ as any other 1 1 creature. A glove is. the finishing touch to a lady's costume, and is therefore of the utmost importance to the smart dresser. Jf you want the best gloves of • the prettiest and newest shades — •gloves that fit well and wear well, and yet cost no more man interior gloves, you will do well to inspect C. Smith's Ltd., splendid stock of gloves of every kind. — Advt. HoraceWWiltd t of Chicago, who built the dirigible ib^lloon Eagle, says that he has competed., a successful aeroplane. He utilises gyroscopes. He has also wagered lOjOoodol for an airship race against Charles K- Hamilton, of New York, ,and Captain William Mattery, of Chicago. Hamilton is well qualified to be a contestant having "fallen from, or with, Israel Ludlow's flying machine more than 60 times. An article in a recent numTter of the "Labour Leader" says: "Houses to-day are -not built, for convenience and comfort, but to put as many as possible on a given site. Houses are built ip bring a return on capital, but what is wanted is houses which will bring a return of good health and strength and moral and mental development. Some men try to build houses down to wages ; a 'better idea would be to build wages up to houses. ' The Times's ' New York correspon- <- - K dent says that the various Oriental Exclusion Leagues on the Pacific coast, in Canada as well as in the United States, are^ making plans for a convention at which delegates from every league will >be present. Infor.mation received' in New York from British Columbia shows that the Japanese question has -become acute there, and that the opponents of Japanese immigration threaten to use force. . The New Zealand Government was recently asked by the Fijian authorities to select two members of the police belonging to this Dominion to become sergeants in the Fijian force. The matter was referred to Commissioner Dinne, who has- chosen Con-stable-Gregory, of Masterton, and Mounted-Constable Earle, of Auckland, from the list of applicants. The pay ranges from to ;£ißo a year, with free quarters, uniform, and so on. PIANO TUNING.— The Dresden Fiano Company's chief tuner, Mr A. L. Desgranges (who holds highest .. testimonials from Mat/ame Carreno, Marshall Hall, Wieyandi San §alus, etc., etc.) is at present in Greymouth for a few days, and all orders sent to the Dresden Company's agents, Messrs Harley ami Co.; ltd.; will rec" ? 'f TKe Typographical Union, Invercargill, unanimously resolved to support the candidature of. "Mr Slater as workers' representative on the Court of Arbitration. It was argued that there had" been mo reason advanced for displacing Mr Slater, while the other candidate, Mr (McCullough, had taken a Government position under certain" regulations, and infringed those' regulations, which did. not constitute a valid argument in favour of advancement to a more, responsible position. The Union, Invercargillj also supports Mr Slater. A curious discovery was made near Timaru recently, , while .well-sinking operations were fje'ing carried out at a farm; A subterranean air chamber seems to have 'been tappecl, and the escape under- pressure made matters uncomfortable for the workmen when they reached a. depth. of 32 "feet. At 42ft the blast came" so strong and so continuously that the manager stopped* further operations, for fear of accident. The noise of the air rushing through the gravel was heard half a chain away from the. well, and .though the water in the well was quite cold, the rush of air made it appear to be boiling. A bottle, of the water has been sent to the Glonial Analyst for ; analysis. ■■■■■'.• . ,: . , The High Commissioner is receiving some very .good applications for the post of Professor of 'Mathematics at. the Victoria Collgge; Wellington, rendered vacant by "the ..appointment of Professor Maclaurin as . Dean *of the Faculty, of Xaw. . The salary -is .■ £"jog a year on a five. years' engagement, and the successful applicant, I whose passage to New Zealand is by I direct steamer paid Iby the Council, I must be at his post in Wellington not I later than March 25th of next year. ■ -A committee in Londo.n will go ■ through the list of .applicants and : ■ select the two most likely candidates, ■" ■ and the apppintnient will then be ■ made by. the Couincil in Wellington, ■ to whom the applications, and testi- ,J monials will jbe forwarded. ''^m A correspondent sends The Times' I an extract from a. letter recently re- ■ ceived from an old .native officer who ■ formerly" served^under =him, m India, ■ and who happened to be oh leave at ■ his home in tne Punjab when the agi- ■ tation was at its. height. Referring ■ to it, he says :^"The agitation; which ■ took place in Punjab in last two 'M months, was caused .by some, mischiev- ■ ous Hindu Aryas,"- but the head mem- ,■ bcrs of that wicK&d party were soon 'H captured and now there is all safe," ,H The Pope has ordered the suspen- H sipn of all the October pilgrimages, '■ including that of the English Catholic ■ Association, owing to the continua- ■ tion of the anti-clerical campaign in '■ Italy ; and of outrages against priests. ■ ■ The Vatican is gravely anxious re- ■ gardihg the comiog festival- on Sep- - ■ temiber 20, the Socialists and - ■ Anarchists are organising universal ■ anti-clerical! demnostration .through- ■ out Ita^ on' that day! 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