In Fiji?

Is There Any Oil

Prospector's Claim in 1936

SOMEWHERE in the middle thirties, Mr. Richard H. Roskelly—now living in Cornwall, England spent four years prospecting for gold in Fiji, and by accident he located what he described as “proof of crude oil.”

On October 7, 1936, he submitted to the Fiji Government a proposal that, if the Government would pay part of his ex penses for material and labour, not to exceed £75, and would give him an under taking that royalties would be paid him if oil was discovered, he would show the Government where there was an oil-field, and assist in its development.

The Chairman of the Mining Board, on November 7, 1936, asked for further in formation, and quoted the Oil Mines Regulations to show that any discoverer of oil in Fiji was under definite obliga tions to the Governor, in relation to the development and the ownership of the oil. He said that Mr. Roskelly should give further details to show that he was able to explore for and develop the oil.

Mr. Roskelly replied curtly that he would not give anything away in advance.

"Other British Dominion authorities are spending thousands of pounds before they get even a smell of oil; and if you cannot proceed without using the cumbersome regulations, the affair must be called off,” he said. He left Fiji for England late in 1937, and did not return. In a letter to the editor of the “PIM.” he insists that there is an oil-field awaiting exploration in Fiji.