OUR PETROLEUM BORINGS.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 11, Issue 844, 25 May 1867, Page 3

OUR PETROLEUM BORINGS.

[From the " Taranaki Herald," May 4] In recording the shipment of the first barrel of petroleum, the produce of the Alpha Well, we take the opportunity of giving a slight sketch of the proceedings which have resulted in what we trust will be the commencement of a new and flourishing industry, which, if fully developed, may prove as great a source of wealth to this Province especially, and to the Colony generally, as the oil fields of America are to that country. To Messrs. Carter and Co., belongs the credit of being the first to take practical means to ascertain whether or not the oil could be obtained in payable quantities. Nearly two years since they commenced boring operations at the Alpha Well, and the history of their proceedings is the usual record of most new undertakings, being a succession of disasters and disappointments which would have effectually discouraged less energetic and sanguine men. With respect to the quality of the oil, where doctors differ it would be presump. tion for an unscientific man to give an opinion. Dr. Sydney Gibbons, of Melbourne, gave a very favourable opinion of the result of his analysis of a sample sent to him by Messrs. Carter and Co. He states that " this petroleum is one of the finest that has come into my hands." Dr. Hector on the other hand says, that.the result of Mr. Skey's experiments prove that the oil is of inferior quality, but we are inclined to place the most faith in Dr. Gibbons, partly probably because his opinion is the most favourable, but chiefly because we have seen the kerosene distilled from it, burning very satisfactorily in an ordinary kerosene lamp in the Institute. But happily, we believe, that the value of the oil as an illuminator, is of very slight consequence, as from actual experience it is proved to be an excellent lubricant in its crude state, and therefore jnore valuable than an illuminating oil. It is used to lubricate the engine and machinery at the company's works, and is found to answer admirably, not clogging in the least. A barrel of it will be sent to Capt. Benson, with a request that he will cause it to be tried in. the Panama Company's vessels ; a barrel will also be sent to Sydney for trial there and at Melbourne. If it should be found to answer for the machinery of steam vessels, we shall have no heed at present to look for other markets, although samples will be forwarded to London and Liverpool by the Panama steamer. . The probable supply is another moot point which must be settled by practical experience, for here again scientific men are at variance. Present appearances mdi- , cate that Dr. Gibbons is right in his opinion as opposed to Dr. Hector. He says that " the continued ebullition of gas and the bubbling of oil on the surface of the water, both at sea and in the well, seems to me plainly to indicate that it is no mere deposit in fissure near the surface, but that there is a deeper source where, in all probability, the natural process is still going on." In the Alpha Well an oil vein was struck at 170 feet, which is believed to be larger than the one being pumped at 80 feet, and on Mikotahi a vein was struck in .a cavity at 210 feet. We believe with Dr. Gibbons, " As to supply I feel sure that this ! is no chance find. -Where this sample came from (that sent by Messrs. Carter and Co.) there is abundance." As we have said, this question must be settled by practical experience, and we hope that the Taranaki Company will be able to solve it satisfactorily as a reward for the energy and perseverance they have displayed in carrying out their works. At the same time we have a strong conviction that there is not sufficient capital in the settlement to fully test even a small portion of the land that the company holds ; and we hope that the shipment of oil to Sydney and Melbourne may induce enquiries to be made about it by parties there who have more ample means than ourselves to develop the resources of the country.