OIL IN THE WAIKATO.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXIX, Issue 112, 15 May 1906, Page 1

OIL IN THE WAIKATO.

The Tuhikaramea correspondent of the " Waikato Argus " writes:—ln view of the keen public interest now being taken in the success of the Taranaki petroleum bore, if: n]ay not be out of place to r«initid our readers that indications of a similar nature are to be found in Waikato, notably within a few miles of Hamilton. Months ago mention was made in my district report that Mr 4.- Ql"iocf|ii«eJ_, of Valley Road, had diseoveitstf petroleum on his land, the oil issuing from the swamp soil and remaining on the surface—a thick, vicious scum, giving forth the characteristic odour of keros.ene. Samples taken from flip sv,rf««.« pools were, analyst! t*y. Mr.%Bohcl, who prouquncod' them to be raw petroleum of good quality, but he discouraged much expenditure in the way <>£ boring 'oh the grounds that indipations of petroleum ' Ave're to" he' found in many_parts of the'colony, but, s(i far-, oil had never bee.n obtained in great quantities ; also, that the gcographioal formation of New Zealand, being largely volcanic, was not favourable for deposits of petroleum. Recent rlpvdp#ments at New Plymouth. hlioufa;'iiowever, aUov- this view, "and/ seeing that such clear indications of the'presence of oil are to be found within a few miles of the centre of Waikato, i^ i iS nt)fe unreasonable to suppp,§Q tlxat further investisaiums will be made." It might be added that Mr Chocqueel's farm is not the only place in the district whyra the Qit'is io\m(\, Mr- \\". Shepherd having a swampy" spring, upon the surface of which petroleum is frequently found floating.