THE OIL INDUSTRY.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 45, 24 September 1887, Page 2

THE OIL INDUSTRY.

The County Council have wisely determined to grant permission to the South Pacific Company to run a pipe line down to town from the Oil Springs, and to assist in every way the passing of a private Bill through the House. It will not be long now before pumping operations will be continuously carried on at the South Pacific bore, and from what we know of Mr Fleming, the Chairman of the Sydney Directorate, we feel sure that ultimate success will not be delayed by any lack of enterprise and energy on his part. The Minerva Company too, through Mr J. H. Stubbs, are also commencing active operations, and we trust that their efforts will be crowned with success. A grander thing for the district than the success of the oil industry could scarcely be imagined for it would mean the rapid growth of Gisborne into a large city and indirectly the settlement and profitable utilization of large tracts of hitherto un. occupied lands in this district.

THE GALLIC COCK AGAIN. That the old spirit of French Chauvinism is not dead but merely dormant is amply evidenced by the popularity of General Boulanger with the nation, a popularity which, far from being in any way on the wane, shows signs of late of sensible augmentation. The continual reiteration of the phrases “ France must be ready for war," “ France has never been stronger than now," etc,, etc. have a sure and certain effect in keeping keenly alive the wish of revenge for the disasters of 1871 and for the restoration once more of the French Army to the proud position from which It was deposed by the German victories. The new Schnaebell incident may result in fanning the smouldering ashes of ill-feeling into a blaze, and the hurling of two old opponents at each others throats with all the old ferocity. Those who are well conversant with the leading French political parties cannot fail to see in Boulanger’s immense popularity and the singular manner in which he keeps himself always before the public a sign of much future trouble. The Government is weak and vaccilating, Boulanger is strong and determined and pos. sesses the popularity of some half a million men. Coups d'ilat have been oft and fateful in France and there are many who think and with good reason for their belief that the popular French General is only biding his time for a desperate clutch at the reins of supreme power in the State. Whether his final object be his own personal aggrandisement or whether it be a re-opening of the old struggle with Germany, he is a dangerous man to the peace of Europe and his move • ments and sayings possess a daily increased importance.