DUPLICATE CABLE COMMUNICATION.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 754, 20 November 1876, Page 3

DUPLICATE CABLE COMMUNICATION.

The Colonial Secretary of New South Wales has received some interesting communications from Mr E. 0. Cracknell, the Superintendent of Telegraphs of that colony, who is now in London, regarding the duplicating of the telegraphic communication between India and Australia, and the reduction of the existing rates. The PostmasterGeneral of Victoria has been courteously furnished with a copy of Mr Cracknell’s letter and telegram, which are as follow : “ 92, Charlotte street, Fitzroy square, “London, August 23rd, 1876. “Sir, —Since my arrival in London, I have devoted nearly the whole of my time to the important matter of duplicating the present defective telegraphic communication between India and Australia, also the reduction of the existing rates. “ In the first place, I have satisfied myself as to the electrical condition of the present Java and Port Darwin cable, and find from the last tests it is not probable that any prolonged interruption will occur again for some time, except perhaps from accidental breakage in shallow water, which in future will be immediately repaired, This being the case, I consider it quite unnecessary at present to expend a large sum annually for a second cable over this section, but strongly recommend the immediate duplication of the line from Singapore to Banjoewangie, for the following reasons : It will replace a very defective section between Singapore and Batavia, and will get rid of the delays and serious errors through the business having to be repeated over the Java land lines, which are worked by Dutch operators. “ If these suggestions be carried out there will be a duplicated line the whole way from London to Banjoewangie, a new cable being almost completed for Penang and Rangoon, and duolicate cables are being shipped for the Red Sea and Bombay sections. “ The subsidy required will also be very small (the sum 1 will telegraph you before you receive this), so that the £20,000 already required by the Eastern Extension Company for the reduction of the rates can also be provided without being seriously felt. “Should it be found after the next few years that the Port Darwin cable gives trouble, which I do not anticipate, I would then recommend that a submarine line be carried from North-West Cape, Western Australia, to Banjoewangie. This cable would be less than 900 miles in length, and 'would coat very little to subsidise ; but it is useless thinking of this as an alternative route at present, as the land lines along the Great Australian Bight are not ready, nor will they be for many months. <• It would be very interesting to know how Mr Audley Coote intends sending messages of ten words for £3 from Sydney, when the present charge is £3 2s 6d from London to Singapore ; and it is by no means clear how he intends connecting Singapore with the Indian lines. lam informed land lines are quite out of the question. “It is not improbable that the Imperial Government will assist in the subsidies for a new cable from Singapore to Java, and the reduction in the telegraphic charges to the colonies ; and 1 intend before leaving London to see some of the members of the Colonial Society and move them to wait on Lord Carnarvon, who I believe, will entertain such a proposal.—l have, k c, B. O, Ckacknell, “ The Secretary for the Postal Department, Sydney.”

Copy of telegram from E. C. Cracknel!, Superintendent of Telegraphs, dated London, received at Sydney at 3.45 on the

11th October, 1876 “ The Eastern Extension Company submit the following terras for duplicating our cables—From Singapore to Banjoewangie, £21,780 per annum; Banjoewangie to Northwest Cape, £23,220, including 3 per cent for renewal funds. Any reduction in interest for raising money through Government subsidy will be credited to the colonies concerned, Interest on the accumulation for renewal funds to go towards reduction of amount for replacing cables. If now cable not required in 22 years, renewal fund will cease, and interest will go towards reduction of subsidy. As cables have been shipped to duplicate lines as far as Penang, I recommend that the cable from Singapore to Banjoewangie be arranged for at once, which will cost the colonies £14,520 for interest, and £7,260 for renewal, per annum, which is the cheapest way out of the difficulty, Banjoewangie to North-west Cape to follow if necessary. Do you wish me to remain after October mail 1 Please instruct by return steamer from Penang, as mail leaves Southampton on 19th.”