KEROSENE WELLS IN NEW ZEALAND.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 875, 28 August 1879, Page 2

KEROSENE WELLS IN NEW ZEALAND.

We take the following of the prospects of the kerosene wells in Poverty Bay •from the North Otago Times: — What promises to be one of the most important of our colonial industries has lately been discovered in the Poverty Bay district. Some two or three years ago mention was made of the fact that petroleum of a fine quality was easily obtainable in that part of the colony, but it was not until some time had elapsed that an effort was made to develop this new found source of wealth. Eventually a compauy was formed for the purpose of working the springs, and producing in the colony a marketable oil of good quality ; but through want of the . requisite .knowledge to carry: out. the project to a successful issue the company had to abandon the attempt. We now hear that several American gentlemen who have had experienoe in the working of the oil springs of Pennslyvania, have offered to take over the concern and work it. New Zealand will perhaps some day rival America in her production of petroleum, and the expression " Struck oil" may come to be as significant and as common in this country as it has been since 1859 ;in the United States. A gentleman with knowledge of the oil region in the North Island, and who is now on a visit to Oamaru, has given us some information as to the nature of the springs, and the supply of oil likely to be obtained from them. We have seen a sample of the oil which is to be obtained at Poverty Bay. Although in a crude, unprepared state, it is almost as clear and limpid as the kerosene in ordinary household use^ and burns as brightly and as well as that imported into the colony. . We are told that in Poverty Bay it is often used in its natural state, without causing any apprehensions of danger. There will be no necessity to adulterate the oil, as it often done elsewhere, as the supply is so abundant, and covers so vast an area that its pollution would be a more expensive proceeding than supplying it as a pure article. This is one point in its favor, as it lessens the danger which arises from the use of kerosene, especially kerosene which has undergone adulteration. The oil found at Poverty Bay can be purified and put free on board at Gisborne at over one-fourth less in cost than what is now paid for kerosene imported from America. With these advantages we hope that this colony Avill soon reap the benefit desirable from the development of this, . one of the most valuable of its natural resources.