The Southern Cross Petroleum Works.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4792, 8 September 1883, Page 3

The Southern Cross Petroleum Works.

[Br Tbibobaph.] [tboii ottb own cobbbbpondbkt.j GISBOBNE, Sbpt. 7. The person who last night brought to town the information concerning the reported striking of oil at the Southern Cross Company's works not being discoverable, it seemed to me that the next best thing was to enquire for Major Bopata. lhe Major, it will be remembered, was said to have given evidenoe confirming the story of the other mysterious gentleman whose present whereabouts cannot be ascertained. The latter told his tale at the office oj the evoning paper only on condition that his name should not be made publio. Since that he appears to have held his tongue, for nobody seems to know who he was. Major Bopata's story was short. He himself had not been at the oil well for quite a long time, but just before ho started to oome down to Gisborne he had seen one of tho Americans engaged by tha Oompany to carry out tho boring operations. Ihis man had said that the pipes were now down more than 600 feet, and that the indications were so very encouraging and io marked that he expeoted to strike the oil at almost any moment. What is called here " the show " was better than it had ever been before. A large quantity of oil had also beon put into barrels up at the springs. Some of the samples last obtained the Amerioan had declared to be of wonderful quality, so much so that in its native state it would be worth about four times the average quality of similar Amerioan oil. This part of the narrative was all hearsay, and the Major was partioular to mako me understand that he did not mean to be responsible for any misstatements or exaggeration that might possibly be contained in it. He was, however, very positive bb to what he himself had seen at the springs on his last visit— that was oil, water and gas, mixed together, being pumped out of the tubes in large quantities. This is simple additional testimony, apart from my last night's telegram. The interview ended by the old warrior challenging me to go up to the ground and disprove his statements if I could. This was all of the affair, and as far os mere aooeptanoo goes, an easy one to take up, as the Southern Cross goes North tomorrow. The ohief may possibly have tho satisfaction of seeing his words more than oonflrmed within a week, though hardly before that time, as communication is co bad.