W. Skey. — On the Mineral Oils of New Zealand. 259 



Specific Gravity. 



4 per cent, at ... ... ... "830 



4 „ ... ... ... -831 



6 „ ... ... ... -8319 



87 —Oils distilled. 



13 — Residue in retort — petroleum oil, pitcli. 



100 



When the residual matters in retort were reduced to 27 per cent, of the 

 charge they set at 60° Fah., and had a specific gravity of "856, owiug to the 

 large quantity of paraflBn present. By mixing the first three distillates, and 

 re-distilling them fractionally, I obtained 4 per cent, of an oil having a 

 specific gravity of "7139. These results show that even a good sample of 

 kerosene may be charged with paraffin and light oils to a very great extent. 



The bulk of the oils, however, making up this kerosene are decidedly of 

 low specific gravity, '832 being about that of the heaviest of them, so that it 

 is seen the petroleum furnishing this kerosene (and. I believe all our so-called 

 American kerosenes) is of a difierent character from that of any yet found in 

 this country. Thus our Poverty Bay petroleums are superior to these in being 

 less charged, with light oils, but perhaps a little inferior to them in having 

 the bulk of their component oils of a heavier sort. However, I do not think 

 much of this point, as the Canadian oil appears in good repute and is of 

 precisely similar quality with the Waiapu oil. 



Since the above results were obtained I have had a very small sample of 

 an oil submitted to me by Mr. M'Leod, of precisely similar characters with the 

 one furnished by Major Bopata. It is also from about the same locality. 

 Mr. M'Leod describes the oil as having been skimmed from ofi" the surface of 

 the water which had oozed into a hole that had been sunk about 2 feet deep. 



Mr. M'Leod affirms that there is a large tract of coimtry about there from 

 which oil can be obtained in this manner. It is therefore, I think, very 

 likely that the oil may be found in quantity when properly worked for. 

 Anyhow, the matter is well worth following up, and I feel anxious that the 

 company now being formed to practically test our eastern districts in this 

 matter may meet with the success it deserves. 



