Untitled

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 16, 19 June 1913, Page 4

I THE OIL INDUSTRY. I J The completion of the refinery at Motn*roa synchronises with two important de-1 velopmcnts connected with tlie petroleum industry. The first was the announce- ' ment by Mr. Churchill, First Lord of the Admiralty, respecting the vitally important matter of securing an all-British fuel oil supply for the navy. The second was the coming of the battleship New Zealand to New Plymouth. The first of these has special interest for the oil men who have worked to develop the industry in this Dominion. Mr. Churchill has drawn particular attention to the fact that the colonies to which the Mother Country is looking for her supplies of fuel oil are Canada and New Zealand. It is a significant fact that the head of the Admiralty has not referred to any other colony, and it will do the petroleum industry a great deal of good if it is realised in England that New Zealand has now gained second position amongst the oil-producing colonies of the Empire. The visit of Captain Halsey. and En-gineer-Commander T. H. Turner, to the oil field and refinery at Moturoa, is no unimportant event. During the visit of Captain Halsey to the Dominion, it has been recognised wherever he has gone that he is an observant officer in all matters afi'ecting industrial development, and one of the most interesting of sailorlike observations was the one that he was always ready to learn, that ho had ■ learned a great deal about oil fuel during his visit to the wells. The head of his engine-room stuff appeared to be equally well pleased with what lie saw at Moturoa, and the hope may very well be exj pressed that the opinions which these two officers voiced will have an influence in Admiralty councils in the Old Country. The events of the present week must be highly gratifying to those connected with the oil industry. The opening of the refinery marks a distinct step forward. Messrs. Craig & Co., the builders, and local oil men are confident that the refinery will prove an engineering :nd commercial success. There is no reason to doubt that confidence. With , respect to the prospects of other branches of the industry, and particularly the important one of development of oil fields, we are aware that all development problems are engaging the serious attention of the Hoard and their st;;!f, and it is not without satisfaction that we notice ' that the. London directors are represented here at the present time by Mr.

J. D. Henry, who will shortly, we understand, make a report on the progress and future work of the company. One of the most interesting features of the work done by the Taranaki Company has been the fostering of other operating interests over a wide area of country. Some of these new companies have already started work. Others are contemplating starting, while others again are said to be in the process of formation. It is not at all unlikely that before the end of the year drilling operations will be conducted on a much larger scale than at present, and that before very long there will be a sufficient supply of petroleum to keep the refinery fully employed.