THE PACIFIC CABLE.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 27 November 1901, Page 4

THE PACIFIC CABLE.

The manufacture of the Pacific cable> which is to connect Queensland with Norfolk Island. Fiji, Fanning Island, and Vancouver, has already been commenced, and the first expedition in connection with the laying of the cable is expected to leave the Thames per steamer Anglia in January, 1902. This will include the laying of the sections of the cable from Queensland to Norfolk Island, Norfolk Island to New Zealand, and Norfolk Island to Fiji Islands" The second ex pedition will leavo about the month of August, 1902, and will lay the cable from Vancouver to Fanning Island and Fiji. The first of these two sections will all be transported and laid by one ship, which is now being specially built for this purpose. She will be called tho Colonia, an appropriate name for a ship whoso maiden enterprise will be to assist in connecting the great colonies of the Empire. The size of the vessel may be gathered from ihe fact that a portion of her equipment will consist of 6000 tons of cable, a far greater load than the Great Eastern was capable of carrying. The Anglia, which will lay the fast sections has already coupled a large number of cables in different parts of the world, and was also specially built for this service, A third steamer, to be permanently retained as a repairing vessel, is now being constructed

and wdl be siationed at Suva, the capital of the Fiji Islands. The contract calls for the completion of the cable by December, 1002, and active preparations for the commencement of laying are now being put in hand.