THE PETROLEUM DISCOVERY AT TARANAKI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 8987, 27 February 1888, Page 7 (Supplement)

THE PETROLEUM DISCOVERY AT TARANAKI.

Some years ago (says our Wellington correspondent) indications of an oil spring were found near the Sugar Loaves at Tarariaki. A company was formed to bore for oil, but nothing came of the venture except the cost of the experimental borings to the company. Th 6 Minister of Lands, however, ban just received information that a spring I'm been found near New Plymouth, issuing petroleum in such quantity as is likely to be payable. The report comes to the Government backed by the names of gentlemen of knowledge and respectability. There is no Question, therefore, about the fact of the Prospect. The Minister of Lands is so impressed with the importance of this discovery that he has resolved to send the Inspector of Mines to report upon 11 Mr. Gordon loaves Wellington tofturow morning for New Plymouth to 'aspect the new oil spring. I underthat if the evidence which Mr. tjorden may find should be found to justify :_ 16 report sent in by the local residents, there l - a probability of a connection between the Spring near borne and that now discovered in Taranaki, as reported spring * to bo near the town of Now I'lytl° l a ' so that quite accessible, and at the work of obtaining a payable quanj U y is almost certain. A reference to Sir atnes Hector's geological survey favours e supposition that a large area of this Se?u ncr y 's oil-producing. lam in P os * p 0 ' a . 10n 0 { i \j r _ Gordon's report upon the fo ;i ert P a y springs, but it is too long to i-pU - v telegraph. A largo proportion then t ' lo history of past sinking ; but the /i lnion the Inspector of Mines as to ciallv °* t^)ese particular springs is espethat if nt fu reStin ? usfc now " He is of opinion thev "ii B l ,r ' n £ a are properly worked revpn, f rove to be a source of immense Petrnl/ 10 t^lo colon y- He says the Eastf Urn area extends from near the j direpfin 1 *1° a point 300 miles in a westerly eupoQ.? 11 [° m Gisborne. This statement With ti," . supposition of a connection He rm,°'? prin k' H now found in Taranaki. capable *;?) th ° Povcrt y Bay springs | yielding in); improved machinery, of , PacifiA" 0 ? gallons of oil a-day. Tho I 00ft i r ? . m Company have expended 1 We envf!!- borin S and prospecting. Their "vers about 6000 acres of ground.