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256 TRINIDAD : THEN AND NOW. 



aguayare, saw a black oily substance much thinner 

 than liquid pitch but thicker than ordinary petro- 

 leum or, as is locally called, pitch oil, of which it had 

 a strong smell, floating down a stream towards and 

 into the sea. He obtained an empty oil can, capable 

 of holding about four gallons, which he filled with 

 this black substance, and, showing it to the cap- 

 tain of the Arthur, they held a consultation and 

 carried it to Port-of-Spain, where it was crudely 

 analysed and pronounced to be petroleum. The 

 managing partner of the firm of Turnbull, Stewart & 

 Co., was not, however, satisfied with this, sent it to 

 New York for a similar purpose and to ascertain its 

 marketable value, where it was pronounced to be 

 crude petroleum, but then of no commercial value, as 

 the cost of refining it would render it unprofitable. 



Some years passed and during this time nothing 

 more was heard of it, but eventually another try was 

 made in which an engineering and oil expert took 

 part. The same Arthur took the party, and the ex- 

 pert having carefully examined the surroundings 

 and taken samples which were again sent to New 

 York, and a somewhat similar report was received ; 

 the question of refining largely entering into the con- 

 sideration, and there was no other use for it, the idea 

 was again abandoned. It was not thought of being 

 used as fuel, and being an accessory to road making 

 was not then in the air. 



Time again passed and rumours spread that 

 the oil at Guayaguayare was likely to turn out to be 

 useful, and that a market was likely to be found for 



