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They still say there's gold in them thar hills, and in the Murchison district, geologists and oil experts are very optimistic about there being liquid gold - oil - below the surface of what is now known throughout New Zealand as Blackwater No. 1. Unfortunately, the news that the whole of the Nelson district has been awaiting eagerly - news of a strike - has been denied us with the closing of the well at a time when success appeared imminent. But the 2090ft bore, blocked by mud, could not be cleared despite the herculean efforts of the drilling crew. The operations of the crew and the views of all the experts have all been adequately covered by the newspapers, so we will say no more. We believe that what has already been accomplished is only the beginning, and we hope that when the more specialised equipment is brought in from the United States, success will attend the efforts of all concerned.

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The mud-bespattered members of the Hamilton drilling crew who have worked long hours in difficult conditions, only to be denied the opportunity of seeing success for their efforts. From left are Ken Brown, Ron Schwass, Jack Brown, Ross West, Don Grant and Graham Brown.

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Geologist John Blumer and engineer Ray Eubank study the latest geological report.

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Don Grant examines mud spewing out of the bore hopeful of finding wooden splinters from the plug which was inserted during the concreting.

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The drilling rig used in the Murchison district during the 1926 try for this elusive but highly valuable commodity. (Pic supplied by Miss A. Sutherland).