BORING FOR OIL

Northern Advocate, 8 October 1920, Page 6

BORING FOR OIL

POSITION IN QUEENSLAND

The question of future supplies of benzine is a very important on e for the world. In this connection it is interesting to note that Mr W. E. Cameron, Queensland Government Geologist, after inspecting the bores lout down on best expert advice at Roma stated positively that the escaping gas shows the presence of petrol. Tests are to be made to ascertain the quantity of petrol in the gas. At the present tim e the Anglo-Persian Oil Company is exploring Papua for oil, and the Federal Government of Australia has decided to grant a ibonus of £50,000 for the discovery of deposits on the mainland. Referring to the bore at Roma, Queensland, the Australian Mining Standard, of September 16, states: "It has ibeen found necessary to place a strong guard over the Government ibore at Roma, from which petrol gas is issuing in a large volume. The 'bor e has always been closely guarded, but extra vigilance has been decided upon, since the authorities have 'become convinced that the inner history of th c bore reveals something more than accidental influences with regard to mishaps that have • occurred from time to time. One man prominently associated with the work has stated: "We hav e to be cautious in what we say, as it is difficult to give substantial proof of what we believe to be facts.' But the story will be told in due course. Meantime, no on e is allowed to enter, the bore enclosure without written authority of th e Minister of Mines, and no one, apart from the Government experts, has been clever enough to secure a permit from the Minister for a very long time past. Anything approaching an American accent is an absolute 'bar, and w iH continue to be so."