OIL FROM OLD WELL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21698, 13 January 1934, Page 12

OIL FROM OLD WELL

PROSECUTION FOR THEFT TWO MEN WITH MOTOR-TRUCK FINE IMPOSED AS WARNING [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] NEW PLYMOUTH, Friday Charged with the theft of ten gallons of oil from tho old No. 3 well of tho Moturoa Oilfields, Limited, Francis S. G. Moore, taxi-driver, of Gisborne, and Walter John Eraser, labourer, of Now Plymouth, were fined a nominal penalty of 5s each as a warning against others who might be similarly, inclined. An offieor of tho company said tho bore was an old one. It had not been worked for some years, but still blew up oil. This was of valuo to tho company, which used it for fuel instead of coal. Tho well was double-fenced. It had not been abandoned and was a great expense to tho company. It blew up daily 8000 gallons of water, which had to bo let away.

Constable Fleming described how ho found tho two men at tho well with a motor truck and two drums containing about ten gaJlons of petroleum. Fraser said ho had not thought permission was necessary. Others took oil. Moore said tho truck was his and appeared to think he was within his rights in taking oil. A considerable quantity of oil had apparently been missed. Tho constablo said the fence around the well had been broken and another had had to be built.