PETROLEUM.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144145, 15 July 1913, Page 2

PETROLEUM.

On Monday afternoon Mr. L. Keith, manager of tho Taranaki (N.Z.) Oil Wells, Ltd., made a practical test of the quality of the petrol obtained from the crude oil from tho Moturoa wells of the company, by using some of the first oil distilled at the refinery for running his motor-car. Mr. Keith, accom-. paniod by three or four passengers, made a run out to the Bell Block bores and back again, and the result of this preparatory test was very satisfactory indeed, the oil proving itself quite equal if not superior to the imported article. The car ran out smoothly and easily from the centre of the town to the 801 l Block boro in just about 13 minutes, and tho return journey was made in 12 minutes. There was no hitch and no stoppage either way. Whilst at Bell Block an inspection was made of the No. 1 bore, which is now down to a depth of over 2100 feet. The water and other troubles have been overcome and the drilling is now proceeding in a papa formation, rapid and satisfactory progress being made with tho work.

The company has to-day wired Mr. H. Okoy, M.P., asking him for definite information as to the number of members of Parliament who will be visiting New Plymouth in connection with the opening of the refinery. It is improbable that there will be a large party, as was anticipated, owing to the fact that so many members of the House have been vaccinated during the last few days as the result of the smallpox scaro. PETROLEUM AT WHANGAREI. HOME CAPITAL SECURED. An Auckland syndicate obtained permission from tho Whangarei High School Board of Guardians to bore for oil on tho school reserve. The syndicate commenced operations with a primitive plant, and obtained a liquid strongly impregnated with oil and with a heavy gas pressure which, when ignited, burnt freely and was extinguished with difficulty. This gas, it is thought, probably indicates the presence of coal in the vicinity. The syndicate, realising .that it was impossible to thoroughly develop tho discovery without proper boring apparatus sent Mr. Isaac Coates to England with tho view of securing sufficient capital to provide an up-to-date plant for proving the property. Mr. Coates, the New Zealand Herald says, has now sent a cablegram stating that he has formed a syndicate which is finding £IO,OOO capital. In the event of the boring operations confirming tho promising results already obtained by the local syndicate, the English syndicate will undertake to form a company with a working capital of not less than £50,000. Mr. H. B. Cooke, who represents the syndicate in Now Zealand, interviewed tho Minister for Mines (Hon. W. Eraser) in Wellington last Thursday, in order to obtain the necessary Ordcr-in-Council. The Minister signified his approval, and has promised to expedite the issuo of -the Order-in Council. Messrs. Ellis and Burnand, of Mammui, are turning out .30,000 cases for tho new petroleum works at New Plymouth. This industry will mean much for Taranaki provided the supplies of crude oil hold out—of which there is every likelihood.—Taumarunui Press.