CABLE-LAYING IN THE NORTH.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1401, 29 March 1912, Page 2

CABLE-LAYING IN THE NORTH.

•VUCICLAXD-SYDNEY DIRECT LINE.

,By I'eleerajib-Preßi! Asuo'.latlon.i Auckland, March 27; An important step towards the linking up of Auckland and Sydney by direct cable has just been taken. Tho final survey has been made by Mr. R. M. Baird, district telegraph engineer, of tho country lying between hero and the West Coast, and the route has been definitely fixed for the new cable to be laid by arrangement with the Pacific Cable Board. Preliminaries in connection with the new length of cable to bo laid into Auckland from Doubtless Bay station are also in hand, and should no unexpected hitch arise there should be two separate cables with their tcrminul station at the new Chief Pest Office in Auckland connecting with tho Chief Post Office in Sydney. Speaking to a reporter to-day, Mr. Baird stated that tho new catiie fu.in Sydney to Auckland will be ianded at Muriwai Creek, on tho West Coast. Generally speaking, the route from Muriwai will k<ep closely to a straight; line. Ho is satisfied that tho best V'.'ule possible has been selected. The I'.Mrnie from Muriwai Creek to the m-w AucMand l'nst Office by tlio route chosrn i.- alout -113 miles. A three-core cuUc is ti to laid, and the whole length of tlio ,-<erland portion will have to bo conveyed across country on big drums, weighing two tons each, and holding a third of a inilo of cable. The undertaking is consequently a considerable one. It is cxpectcd that it will be a month or two before trenching operations are commenced, nor has it been decided yet whether the Government will do tho work bv day labour cr call for tenders. In 'ho meantime advices are awaited as to the arrival of cable sections.

The Department itself will most probablv undertake tho actual laying of the cable across the land, while the submarine portion is to bo laid bv tho manufacturers of the cable to conivrct. Auckland with Doubtless Bay. Referring to the. new line of cable, Mr. Baird said that the present cable, terminating at the latter station, will be left undisturbed in the meantime. Tho new extension is to consist of a two-roro cable, which will run from Doubtless Day to Takapuna. At that point it will be laid along Strand Street to Shoal Bay, and tlieneo across the harbour to Ponsonby Reef. From thcr'.' it will be brought- into the new Post Office by the samo ducts as the Muriwai cable, when the extension from Doubtless Bay has been laid. It will be there joined to the present cable. Thus if ar any time the now section along th" coast, should fail, communication will still exist from Doubtless Bay.