"GUSHER" IN RECTORY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 45, Issue 13984, 21 November 1919, Page 3

"GUSHER" IN RECTORY.

PETROL OOZING FROM CEILINGS

AND WALLS

Swan ton Novel's Rectory, near Meiton Constable, on Lord Haldanc's Norlollc estate, is providing a phenomenon which is puzzling the countryside, and has Oriven the rector, the Rev. Hugh Guy ,aud his family, to seek sheltoelsewhere, says the Sunday Chronic)'- 1 . For some time tho rectory has smelt strongly of oil of various kinds, aid' recently spurts of the liquid from walls and ceilings have driven the occupants away. • It was on August 8 that the ro_or first noticed anything peculiar, and then an oily smell pervaded the house. Thii was traced to the joints in the woodwark. Just previously there had been what aro described as earth tremors i" the neighbourhood. Shortly after the smell was first noticed tin' rector and his family went away for a. fortnight's holiday. On their return they found the furniture had been |na<-ti<-allv ruined by spurts of oil which had burst out of the ceilings and walls. These spurts are slated to occur every hour or so, except (luring the quiet hours of tho night. Resumption rakes place when movement begins in the house. Tho liquid which spurts from thj top storey into the room below is pe'rol of high grade, as it fl a ;•■.-.•> out and burns without emitting any j .oki*. Paraffin, also of a high grade, iippo:irs to be the peculiarity of the seco. I iio. •, while thero are also traces of b.izolin.' and 7iiethylated spirits.

Observation has proved that the liquid uses the walls and plaster as a channel, as the laths are dry. 1 .troi drops from tho ceiling at the about a quart in ten minutes, and/instant watching is necessary.

Listeners have declared that by putting one's ear to the wall it is possible to hear the gurgling sound caused Iby the oil in its travel upwards. On Monday the liquid which ftjund

its way into the house was mainly water, which flooded the scullery. On Tuesday petrol was the supply, on Wednesday it was pure paraffin, on Thursday a mixture of paraffin and petrol A well some little distance away ia now showing traces of oil.