TARANAKI OIL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3100, 13 August 1913, Page 37

TARANAKI OIL.

NEW PLYMOUTH, July 23. There is great activity in the petroleum industry. The Phoenhr Company, a Christchurch concern, commenced drilling at Moturoa yesterday. The consolidated oilfields of Taranaki, also a Christchurch concern, commences to-day at Huiroa, inland of Stratford. Both these companies are under the management of Mr Fedecrowicz. The Bonithon Company of Wellington commences to-morrow between New Plymouth and Moturoa. Several other companies arc also starting soon. The refinery is working satisfactorily, and will be formally opened on Monday next. - August 1. Excellent progress is being made by the oil-boring companies. The Blenheim Company is down 1080 ft. The water shut off at 970 ft. The Phoenix Company, which started on July 22, is down 160 ft. The Bonilhon Company, using a rotary plant, has bored 240 ft in seven days. The Taranaki Oil Wells, Limited, are receiving numerous inquiries for their products. (From Our Own- Correspondent ) WANGANUI. July 22. The oil industry in Taranaki is very active just now. The derrick and appliances at the Phoenix bore, in the vicinity o: the refinery, are complet'd, and drilling operations are to be prosecuted forthwith. It is intended to work niguc and day shins at the bore. The official opening of the refinery was discussed at a meeting of directors. It has been found impossible ow>cg to the smallpox epidemic to induce a parliamentary party to make the visit. Both the Hoii. M - Fraser (Minister of Mines) and the Hon. Mr Fisher (Minister of Customs) have accepted the invitations, and will attend the opening ceremony if their parliamentary duties will allow. Mr J. J. Craig and a number of commercial men of Auckland have organised a syndicate to drill for oil on a. large block of land behind the producing wells at Aloutoroa. WELLINGTON, July 29. Messrs Wilkinson and Okey, ALP’S., arrived in Wellington this evening by motor-car driven by Taranaki benzine, after a splendid run from Wanganui. Mr Wilkinson said, in speaking to your representative this evening, “We took every hill at top speed except Paekakariki, which dropped the car to the second gear. The benzine is of perfect quality, and gives a maximum of power and efficiency. Air Okey and myself throughly enjoyed the trip. No adjustment of the carburettor was necessary. The time taken from Wanganui to Wellington was 5J hours, or 50 minutes faster than the mail train. There was no attempt to rush matters.” On the basis of this performance it is claimed that Taranaki need not fear any competition in benzine while producing such a fine article, for which there may be expected to be a large market and a keen demand. OPENING OF THE REFINERY. NEW PLYMOUTH. July 23. The official opening of the refinery in con-

neetion with the Taranaki oilfields took place to-day. There was a large attendance of the public, but disappointment was expressed that no Minister of the Crown was present., The refinery is replete with the very latest appliances for its work, and is thoroughly up to date in all respects. It cost £56,000 to build, and is regarded as evidence of the utmost faith on the part of experts in the future of the oil industry in Taranaki.

Congratulatory speeches were delivered by Mr G. Carter (chairman of the company), Mr J. D. Miller (advisory expert), H. J. 11. Okey (member for Taranaki), G. Browne (the Mavor), and others.

The refinery will at once proceed to deal with oil in largo quantify already stored in the Moturoa reservoirs. Quite a number of new bores are busily engaged in drilling, and the building of the refinery has given a marked impetus to oil prospecting throughout the district. ATTITUDE OF THE MINISTER. (Fhoit Ock Own Correspondent.). WELLINGTON. July 30. A question regarding Taranaki oil was put to the Minister of Mines (the Hon. Mr Fraser) to-day by Mr Okey, who asked whether, seeing the interest that was now being taken in the use of oil fuel for the British Navy and the benefits to the Empire of having supplies within its own dominions, he would take the necessary steps to have placed before the Admiralty the advantages of having the oil industry fully developed in this dominion. Mr Okey pointed out that Mr Churchill (first Lord of the Admiralty) had stated in the House of Commons that there wore now built and building 100 oil fuel destroyers, and five battleships this year would also use oil as an auxiliary. Oil increased a ship’s active radius by 40 per cent., and permitted the designing of vessels of equal fighting power, but loss dimensions and at smaller cost. The Admiralty intended becoming the independent owner or controller of its own oil supply. Mr Fraser replied that the Admiralty was already in possession of all the information available on this, subject. Mr Okey expressed dissatisfaction with this answer, and said it was obvious?' that the Minister of Mines took no interest in this matter. He knew that the department bad never approached the Taranaki directors for anv information, and how could it be said that the Admiralty was already in possession of all information? The Minister of Mines was not. trying to push his department in a question that was of keen interest to the dominion. This showed he had not the interests of th" industry at heart. Mr Okey maintained that the people running this industry had the interest of the dominion at heart and were doing their best to Bring the field before- the Admiralty themselves. When Captain Halsey was in the district it was brought before him. That showed the directors were in earnest. What was wanted now was for the High Commissioner to receive full particulars and place them before the Admiralty.

Mr Fraser made no further comment.