Petroliferous Geyser
p. 12 · Read in the full issue
On Coast of Dutch New Guinea
the Australian author, Mr. lon ’ ' Idriess, was in Broome, Western Australia, a few months ago, he picked up some information which is of general in terest and which may be of value to the oil companies which are now carrying on an investigation in Dutch New Guinea.
Mr. Idriess met in Broome a Mr. Mac- Kenzie, a well-known pearler, and Mr.
MacKenzie told him that over 20 years ago, when he was helping to establish the pearl-shell industry in the Aroe Islands (off the coast of Dutch New Guinea) he met at Merauke (D.N.G.), an old trader whom he treated for fever. The trader told Mr. MacKenzie that at Lakakier Bay, on the coast of Dutch New Guinea, there was an active geyser with a strange kero sene smell.
A long time after this, Mr. MacKenzie and his friends had occasion at different times to water their schooner on the coast of Dutch New Guinea, and Lakakier Bay, about 80 miles northwards of the Aroes, was found to be a convenient place. It is a picturesque bay, land-locked by cliffs, with mountains towering inland and native villages close in shore. It would give safe anchorage to a battle-fleet.
While watering. Mr. MacKenzie took ashore a bottle of kerosene and let the natives smell it. There was no reaction— they shook their heads uncomprehend ingly. But, one day, a native was there from another village and he excitedly recognised the smell of kerosene. He guided the party some distance along the beach and then they turned inland, until they heard what they took to be the sound of a distant waterfall. This, how ever, proved to be the throaty roar of a small geyser. It was about a quarter of a mile from the sea.
Mr. MacKenzie said that the geyser issued from a lime-stone fissure and that it spat mud, gas, and water at intervals, with an overpowering smell of kerosene.
The geyser had formed a slimy dome about six feet high. The diameter of the geyser was about 12 feet.