THE PACIFIC CABLE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1996, 24 November 1888, Page 3

THE PACIFIC CABLE.

« — [Pfiß Peess Association.] Sydney, November 22. News from Tonga is to the effect that H.M.B. Egeria has been ordered to survey the Pacific cable route between Suva and New Zealand. Lohdon, November 22. Two hundred persons were present at a meeting to-day to disccss the question of the Pacific cable. Bir Oswald Smith, of Canada, moved, and Mr Doxatt, of Dalgety and Co., seconded, a resolution to the effect that m view of the discontent with the Eastern Extension Company, the meeting pledges itself to support a cable by the Pacific route via Hervey and Fanning Islands, Samoa, Fiji, and New Zealand, provided the custom of the various Governments is given, and a guarantee extending over twenty-five years, The resolution wbb carried. It was announced that the Company had determined to construct the cable, whether the guarantee wai given or not. The meeting was presided over by Lord Winchelsea ; many merchants and others were present-. The motions m favor of the Vancouver cable were carried with enthusiasm. The promoters promised that the maximum should be 4s per word on condition that Government custom would amount to £75,000 per year.