Solid bitumen ... ... ... 6.1
Fixed carbon ... ... ... 12.4
Ash ... ... ... 1.5
100.0

THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 271

It may perhaps be considered premature to form
an opinion as to the prospect of these wells from the
result of the analyses of the small samples yet
obtained, which, I understand, are only collected as
drippings from the boring rods and pumps; but it
must be remembered that it is usual to strike the
lightest oils first when boring, and it may be expected
with more certainty if it is the case that this oil has
been condensed in the rock from a state of vapour,
that the lightest and most valuable oils should be met
with nearest the surface.

It, however, occasionally happens that petroleum
obtained in one part of an oil-bearing district is much
denser than in others, and sometimes even passes
gradually into semi-solid bitumen, so that the occur-
rence of this heavy description of oil at Taranaki does
not necessarily indicate the total absence of the finer
oils, but only that the locality in which the borings
have been made may not be the most favorable.

A remarkable instance of this gradual change of
the quality of the oil occurs at Baku, on the shores
of the Caspian Sea, where the petroleum is obtained
over a tract of country twelve square miles in extent,
the strata being a porous argillaceous sandstone, full
of fossil shells of the tertiary period.

The oil obtained from the centre of this district is
very light and colorless, and accompanied by quan-
tities of inflammable vapour; while towards the sides
of the district it becomes darker in color and more
dense, and gradually passes into asphaltum.

In concluding these remarks, I would remind
explorers for oil wells in New Zealand that petroleum
is to be found in nearly all parts of the world, and
has been recognized and worked from time im-
memorial for illuminating purposes.

The only novelty in connection with it in the
present age is the discovery of large natural reser-
voirs, that seem to yield an inexhaustible supply, of
a quality that can be purified by an inexpensive
process, in districts where its presence had not been
previously expected. The occurrence of mineral oil
in New Zealand must not, therefore, be looked upon
as an exceptional and uncommon phenomenon, but
as one of the productions natural to a country where
extensive deposits of carbonaceous matter have been
involved in volcanic disturbances.

Whether mineral oil of fine quality has been
accumulated in accessible positions and in sufficient
quantity to exert a marked influence on the future
prosperity of this country, is he problem now being
solved, and even if the boring now carried on at
Taranaki should not prove successful, the question
will not be set at rest.

The presence of petroleum has been reported, and
may be expected, in many other parts of New
Zealand; and now that attention has been directed
to the subject I have no doubt it will be found, at
least in small quantities, throughout both islands,
wherever volcanic disturbances have affected deep
basins containing tertiary strata overlying the brown
coal formation.

Mention should not be omitted, however, of the
circumstance that in the lower secondary rocks of
New Zealand, which consist of sandstones and shales
that have undergone great mechanical disturbance
and chemical change, there are thin seams of
graphite and anthracitic coal, and probably from
these also there has been produced a certain amount
of bituminous oils.

These beds, as yet discovered, are of very insigni-ficant extent and cannot have yielded a large quantity
of oil in their conversion to their present state.

As I intended in the present report merely to
furnish general information respecting the origin and
mode of occurrence of the petroleum at Taranaki,
and to give the results of the chemical examination
which has been made of it, I have deferred attempting
to give any detailed description of the workings or
the immediate locality where they are being carried
on, as all the information I possess regarding what
is to be seen on the spot since the workings were
commenced has been gathered from the newspapers
or from Mr. Grayling's letter (copy herewith enclosed)
forwarded for my information along with a box of
specimens which were only received a few days since.

I have also to acknowledge with thanks information
which I have received verbally from Mr. Balfour,
C.E., and Mr. James Hacket, both competent
observers, who have recently visited the locality of the
oil wells.

I have, &c.,

JAMES HECTOR, M.D., F.G.S.,
Director of New Zealand
Geological Survey.

The Hon. the Colonial Secretary,
&c., &c., &c.

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Grayling.
Taranaki, 30th May, 1866.

SIR,—Having been requested by Mr. Hacket to
forward you a box of specimens from the neighbour-
hood of the Sugarloaves, I write to inform you that
a small box has been placed in the hands of the
agent, with directions to forward the same by the
first vessel, and should the weather moderate it will
in all probability reach you by the "Storm Bird."

You will see by the enclosed index that oil is to
be met with on the eastern side of the Sugarloaves,
for some half-a-mile in distance, wherever a fissure
is perceptible. At such a spot, a blow from the
hammer will cause water, when poured on the
fractured portion immediately to be coated with a
film of petroleum, which is easily recognized by its
smell.

I would particularly ask your attention to the fact
that the more solid portions of the reef yields no
appearance of oil. This, coupled with the fact that
out at sea, where the water is upwards of 100 feet in
depth, large bubbles of the diameter of an ordinary
tumbler, are constantly bursting on the surface,
induces the belief that petroleum is to be found in
large quantities by deep boring. I might ask your
attention to another significant fact. Carter, prior
to boring, sunk a shaft between fifty and sixty feet
in depth, this is now nearly filled with water, from
which gas is constantly evolved, some thousands of
cubic feet being daily given off, whilst the surface of
the water has a layer of oil some inches in thickness.

Again, during the time the men were engaged in
sinking, the gas at times disenabled them from con-
tinuing operations.

Another point worthy of record is, that the quantity
of oil in the tube down which the boring rods work
varies with the weather. I have only found surface
indications where the rocks are exposed to view, by
being protected from the prevailing winds which would
otherwise cover them with sand.

On the westward side of the Sugarloaves the reef
is covered with several feet of sand.

In an unstratified country such as Taranaki actual
experiment alone can throw light on the lay of the
rock.

It will give me great pleasure to send you at any
time specimens of rocks; and would it be of any
service to send you a gallon or more of oil.

I have, &c.,
W. E. GRAYLING.