PETROLEUM.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144147, 17 July 1913, Page 7

PETROLEUM.

TARANAKI (N.Z.) OIL WELLS, LTD. At a meeting of directors of tho Taranaki (N.Z.) Oil Wells, Ltd., on Wednesday night, it was to postpone tho opening of tho refinery until Monday week, July 28, as a telegram hud been received from Mr. 11. Okey, M.P., stating that owing to tho vaccination of members, it was found impossible to carry out the original arrangements. It will bo impossible for any of tho Ministers to leave Wellington on Saturday. Tho Hawke’s Bay Herald’s Dannevirko correspondent states that persistent rumours have been in circulation that oil has been struck at the Kotuku Oil Company’/: boro at Weber, but tho reports are not officially confirmed.

ELTHAM.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) July 15.—The smallpox outbreak has got people moving, but it is to bo hoped tliat it won’t keep them moving till a halt is called at tho cemetery. People arc eagerly scanning the papers and tho doctors have had quite a number of arms bared for inspection and vaccination, ilio demand lor ust€riiisation” seems to exceed the supply of lymph, so some of those in a hurry to exhibit vaccination marks will need to possess themselves in patience. It will bo a bit awkward for some of the young bloods who are proposing attending some of the many balls to be held hero shortly if they have to move round with a “don’t touch moshoulder” air. There aqe some people who fail to see the value of introducing calf lymph into tho system, but some of the patriotic ladies may need a clean bill of health before stepping out in a twostop with a partner, and in that case we might see the M ,C’s. have a bareshoulder parade of tho males. It should not bo a difficult matter with tho ladies. Men as a rule try to cover up everything from below the chin, whereas tho lady seems to glorify in her shapely arm, and those carrying traces of the surgeon’s lanoe should not lack parinors. Getting back to the disease itself, it is some time since we have had a visitation of this fiith disease. A great many years back two men off a steamer were quarantined outside Napier. The writer often visited the house erected for the purpose, and boyhke, wondered why such things were needed. The building was very large, containing quite a number of rooms, and there was one that held a large boiler and fire into which everything belonging to and used, by these patients went up in smoke and ashes. Now round about this particular plot of ground is a fine house and garden, so evidently tho Napier authorities got tired of waiting for a second visitation or believed that New Zealand was too clean a country for tho disease to get a grip. Tile Eltham Eire Brigade are holding tho annual meeting to-night. Some people may think the brigade thrives on fresh air and practices, but this is not so. They have a knack of needing cold cash, and although they commenced their last twelve months with £6 credit, they are now on the wrong side of the ledger by £36. Still the superintendent reckons they’ll blot this out with the bazaar to be bold, in September, and I believe he’ll be right, as the firemen are pushing their art union tickets now and after selling a ticket get the buyer to promise a Leghorn “chook” or an os-tongue, or a pair of patent garters to bo sold at the bazaar. Energy like this is certain not to stop at £36. Evidently the idea of tho Eltham School Committee that the scholars who had left school and not attained sixteen years should attend night school does not find favour with parents. At the committee meeting last night it was stated that 45 names were on tho roll, but only 24 were attending. This caused some discussion, and eventually the committee resolved-to stand firm and make the attendance compulsory. Some of the boys (principal offenders) evidently believe that when they leave day school they are done with books and problems and thenevenings (except cadet parados) are their own. Tho committee are going to disillusionise them, in the hope of getting better attendances. But what will poor old father say when he has to foot the cost of summonses? The committee are treading on thin ice. Arbor Day comes round to-morrow. Have not heard the Beautifying Society making any move in the matter. Probably the members, like those of the hockey, football, orchestral and other bodies, are merely deeping. We need a strong battery to galvanise some activity into those who claim to be our leading lights. The Taranaki League players get blotted out in their engagement against Auckland by 24 points to 8, and it looks a big defeat, but a lot of things may bo said to prove that Taranaki might have done better. In tho first place tho team had a rough passage by steamer, a smash-up in the journey by coach from Onehunga to Auckland, whilst it was found that Moir was unable to play. They reached Auckland at 12.15, so they had little chance to get their legs going before tackling their opponents. • Dp till the time Frowin had to leave, through injury our men did well, but with Moir absent Nicholls bad to move up to half, and being new to the game it was awkward. Still Taranaki kept pegging away and had the satisfaction of crossing Auckland’s line twice before the game concluded. There is no question that had Taranaki been able to get to Auckland with a couple of days’ interval; before play they would have been a tough proposition to defeat; as it was they went under, but gave Auckland many anxious imfments during the progress of the match. They brought back King, late New Zealand team, who will remain in Taranaki and be available far remaining matches. In view of tho Australian team playing Taranaki at Hawera the selectors wul arrange further practice matches, so that players can retain condition necessary to last the fast games expected from teams when opposed by Commonwealth players.

July 16. —The Fire Brigade’s annual meeting was well attended last evening. Superintendent Nnttall was reelected to that office, but Sub-superin-tendent Bogars declined re-election and Foreman Murray secures that position. Long service medals, bars, or certificates wore presented. The attendances of m'-nbors at meetings and practises contii.ua-. tatisfactory, oho member not having missed a roll-call during tho season, and an, enthusiastic outsider donated £1 Is to be given in the shape of a trophy to the fireman with tho satisfactory record. Saws of any description are awkward at any time, and a ti.xular saw is a« ugly customer to collide with. At tho mill hero to-day an employee lost half a forefinger through rubbing t gainst tho sj’W whilst it was on business bont.