THE GISBORNE OIL WORKS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 810, 9 September 1887, Page 32

THE GISBORNE OIL WORKS.

(united press association.) Napier, September 1. Mr Fleming, Chairman of the Directors, and the visitors to the South Pacific Petroleum Company’s works arrived back in town to-day, and are thoroughly satisfied with the prospect and what they had seen while at the works. After a lapse of 24 hours the well was again tested on Wednesday, when the incoming flow was found to bo This would give a flow of half a gallon an hour, and was considered to be most satisfactory, and a much larger flow than anticipated by Mr Weaver, who is thoroughly acquainted with the nature of the rock that; the pipe is in, and did not expect to find so much force at the bottom to cause such a large incoming flow, for the oil had to pass through a thick deposit at the bottom, caused by the caving in at the side of the pipe. A further length of pipe was inserted, but nothing more was done up to the time of the visitors from towu leaving the scene. Before pumping can be gone on with it will be necessary to drive a pipe through the present soft strata, so as to reaoh a firm bottom as support for the pipes. The whole of the present strata is an oil-bearing one, and it is estimated that but a short length of pipe will be necessary to reach the bed of the rook, and the work will be pushed on without delay. An opinion of those present at the test is that the find is an important one and will be of vast importance to the Colony. After many years of waiting doubts are now set at rest, for this is clearly proved to be a valuable oil district.