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The following is a list of oil-wells and prospecting-boreholes recently drilled, together with their depths and the results* attained : —

* The depths and results here given are from the best evidence obtainable by the Mines Department, but information in some cases is difficult to obtain, and the depths are not guaranteed as correct, t The rotary system of drilling is employed. } The Canadian-Galician percussion system of drilling is employed. For the better control of drilling operations, regulations based upon those in operation in other countries are now being prepared; by these provisions risks from influx of water into the oil-bearing beds will be avoided. Sulphur. At White Island, in area about 590 acres, situated in the Bay of Plenty, about thirty miles from Whakatane on the mainland and 190 miles by sea from Auckland, the recently formed New Zealand Sulphur Company has laid down a steaming plant and constructed a ditch from Crater Bay to drain the crater lake situated near the centre of the island. The island consists of the summit of a volcano projecting above the sea, and thereon thermal activity is unusually pronounced; from one large vent known as the "Blowhole" there is a remarkable display of solfataric and fumarolic action, unrivalled in New Zealand, so-called smoke and steam being ejected to a height of about 300 ft. Around the fumaroles there are conical mounds of almost pure sulphur, varying from 4 ft. to 6 ft. high, and the floors and sides of the crater are covered to an unknown depth with alternating layers of siliceous mud ash-beds, flowers of sulphur (averaging 7 ft. in thickness), and gypsum. By systematic prospecting a reserve of sulphur has been exposed, and a considerable quantity has been obtained and stacked for treatment. Previous attempts to profitably work the sulphur-deposits have been somewhat hindered by shortage of water-supply, but the present company have constructed a dam which they believe will be adequate to supply their boilers. The steaming plant consists of a retort-house, containing three retorts each of 4 tons capacity, to which steam for fusing the sulphur is supplied by a boiler. I regret to report that one of the retorts recently burst shortly after operations were commenced, and one of the employees was killed. Retorting is now suspended pending the installation of non-corrodible retorts. Since 1902 there has been no sulphur exported from New Zealand, but during the five years preceding 4,927 tons, value £13,239, were exported from White Island. Conditions of life in this weird island are not salubrious, nor in the opinion of the Inspector of Mines are they quite safe, the workmen's camp and steaming plant being placed in proximity to the " Blowhole." Phosphate Rook. The Ewing Phosphate Company, operating at Clarendon, Otago, produced 11,000 tons during 1913, a slight increase above that of the previous year. Recently made analyses of the highergrade rock show from 30 to 367 per cent, of phosphoric anhydride, equivalent to from 65 - 3 to 80 - 2 per cent, tricalcic phosphate. Oxides of iron and alumina together total from I' 4 to 9 per cent.

Name of Company. Name or Number of Well. Locality. Total Depth, in Feet, 31/7/14. Result, 20/6/14. Taranaki Oil-wells 1 2 3 4 5 6 (rotary) 1 2 Blenheim Moturoa 3,030 3,030 4,040 850 2,655 2,600+ 3,821 2,970 2,426} Drilling. Feebly productive. Unproductive. Productive. Drilling, feebly productive. Unproductive ; abandoned. Bell'Block, Waitara . . Taranaki Oil Lands, &c. Moturoa Productive at 2,171 ft. and 2,211ft. Drilling. Phoenix Oil Consolidated Oilfields of Taranaki Bonithon Freehold Oil.. United Oil .. Kotuku Oilfields Huiroa Near New Plymouth .. Tikorangi, Waitara River Near Lake Brunner Oparae, Hawke's Bay .. 2,203} 2,586} 2,505 700} 952 1,660 1,322 511 1,375 3,000} Drilling suspended. Drilling. Abandoned (in primary rock). Abandoned or suspended. ,, .. New Zealand Oilfields 1 2 1 2 1 Totangi, Gisborne Waihirere Mangaone Valley, near Eketahuna Near Eketahuna Mangaone Oilfields 5' ,, 2 114} Drilling.