Opening day of the Waipatiki oil well, 23 miles from Dannevirke. Kotuku Oil Fields Syndicate Ltd began drilling in 1912, with two wells about 2000 yards apart. There are details in an article in the Dannevirke Evening News, 30 August 1912. The well closed in 1921.Standing from left: R Wedderspoon, British Royal representative; A M Slack, Canadian; Unknown; L G Crosse; Unknown; Doctor Riddell. Sitting from Left: Tommy Bain; Unknown; E A Ransom, Mayor of Dannevirke; F A Cowper. Sitting on ground: G J E Pickford, Manager of BNZ.