TARANAKI OIL WELLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15325, 11 June 1913, Page 8

TARANAKI OIL WELLS.

IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD.

REFINERY TO BE OPENED SOON.

[Br TELEGRAPH. —PRESS

Wellington, Tuesday. The next week or so should see a most important step forward in connection with the Taranaki oil industry, for the big refinery which has been installed by the Taranaki Oil Wells, Limited, is expected to be opened, and oil obtained for export. Mr. J. D. Henry, the well-known English oil expert, arrived in Wellington from London, by the Corinthic, to-day, to be present on the important occasion of what is really the beginning of the industry.

Seen by a reporter this evening, Mr. Henry said he expected that in a few days the reports on the work done during the year would be issued. For that reason, and because he himself had been without the latest news of drilling results and developments for the past six weeks, he could not make any statement of value at the present time. "With respect to the refinery, however," said Mr. Henry, "-I am in the position to say that it represents absolutely all that is best in refinery practice at the present time. The plant was shipped from Scotland to the Dominion, and erected within a year of the formation of the company."

Mr. Henry said a satisfactory feature of the oil industry in Taranaki was the manner in which the other companies were starting operations. No doubt developments of the next few months would have an important effect on the future of the industry. -Mr. Henry was shown a small English trade paper, which in a recent issue criticised the actions and developments of the Oil Wells, Limited. He said he attached no importance to its unfair and misleading statements.

Mr. Henry leaves for New Plymouth tomorrow morning. The arrangements for the opening of the refinery are not yet complete, but it is likely to be a very important function. It is probable that both the Governor and Captain Halsey, of H.M.S. New Zealand, will be present.