A Subterranean Wonder.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XX, Issue 2074, 30 May 1887, Page 2

A Subterranean Wonder.

Sylvan beach is a resort on the shores of Oneida lake, and a correspondent thus relates the story of a very lively well in that vicinity. A gentleman who owns conside. ralle land hooting the beach, recently comtuenced a search for water on one of his lots, by sinking a six-inch pipe. After he had got his pipe down some sixty feet there was a strong flow of air. Suspecting it was natural gas. a lighted match was applied to it when a flame, two feel in diameter and eight or ten feet in length, shot forth into the air. After burning many hours it ceased, and .votk was resumed, when again, after reading a depth of seme twenty feet more, the gas burst forth, furnishing a flame in size equaling the first. This flame was alter a bine, extinguished and work resumed to be igam stopped by sudden blow-out of great frree, carrying with it water and soft day of ■ peculiar color. When this ceased the pipe was driven eighteen feet further, reaching a depth of ninety-eight feet. Then occurred a scene which all present, and there was quite a number, will never

forget. First, a subterranean rumbling was beard, as if for a warning. Then followed a terrific blow out accompanied by blaM, as if the end of all things around about, at least, were doomed to destruction. Every one present ran—some in one direction and others m another. The air was filled with missiles, a few of which were five inches in diameter. But the most were lumps of soft clay. Some of these missiles were thrown obliquely several rods. This lasted only a few moments and then ceased, the pipe beii g clogged, or the flow of gas ceasing. The proprietor and his workmen anxiously approached the pipe and carefully screwed a cap upon its fop, and then stood off in con« sultation. Before putting on the cap, by sounding, the workmen found there were twenty-eight feet of gravel and seventy feet of water in the pipe.