SOUTHERN CROSS PETROLEUM COMPANY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VIII, Issue 1352, 21 June 1881, Page 2

SOUTHERN CROSS PETROLEUM COMPANY.

At a meeting of the Directors of the above Co., held last night, among the correspondence read, there was a letter from Mr. T. W. Quaife, proprietor of the Belmont Candle Works, Rakaia. Ho stated he was at present using a large quantity of paraffin wax in the manufacture of candles, which material he now imported from America. Believing that it could be produced by this Company, ho asked to be informed as to the price for which it could be supplied, and requested that a cask of the crude material, as a sample, should be forwarded. He further stated that there was every facility for refining it at the works. The Directors decided to comply with the request, and as one of their number is shortly proceeding to Rotukautaku, under his superintendence, a quantity of the mineral will be put in casks and forwarded per first steamer to Gisborne, for shipment to Rakaia. It is to be hoped that this will be the commencement of an export trade of the article. These works are situated admirably for the direct shipment of this commodity, which will be found advantageous, if the demand for it should, as we anticipate, become very large. Enquiries from all parts of the colonies are now being made concerning the find, and there can be no question, but what beiore long, it will be largely utilized, and become one of tho staple and profitable productions of the district. Inste-id of lying an inert mass in such quantities

it will be converted into a substance of commercial value We hail with satisfaction any attempt made in the direction of realizing the undeaveloped wealth which surrounds us, and we shall be gratified to learn that the sample when sent, will be found suitable in every respect.