TELEGRAPHIC CONNECTION WITH KING GEORGE’S SOUND.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1093, 31 December 1877, Page 3

TELEGRAPHIC CONNECTION WITH KING GEORGE’S SOUND.

The completion of a. work creditable to the enterprise of South Australia and Western Australia was announced a few days ago. We refer to the telegraph line which now connects Adelaide with King George’s Sound, and brings for the first time all the colonies of the Australian group into direct communication with each other. The undertaking (writes the “Melbourne Argus”) was one of considerable magnitude, though not so formidable as that which South Australia performed single-handed when she carried a line across the continent to Port Darwin in less than two years. The task which has just been finished was pretty evenly divided between the two colonies, South Australia having 990 miles to construct to the boundary at Eucia, while Western Australia had to supply 800 miles in order to complete the communication to King George’s Sound. There was already in existence a wire between King George’s Sound and Perth, a further distance of *256 miles, so that the capitals of the two colonies are connected by a line of no less than 2046 miles in length. This slightly exceeds the length of the Port Darwin line, which is 1973 miles. The Western Australian section was commenced in May, 1875, and the South Australian three months later, but the latter colony attacked the work with so much energy that her portion of it was finished five months ago, viz., on July 16th. Considerable difficulties were encountered on both sections, owing to the waterless tracts of country which the constructing parties had to pass through, aud the dense scrub which it was necessary to pierce. Delay was also expeperienced in consequence of the loss ef several small vessels which were carrying poles and other material to different points on the coast; but perseverance triumphed over all obstacles, and in two years and a half the line has been finished and brought into working order. While the opening of this new channel of communication will chiefly profit Western Australia, which has escaped at last from her position of isolation, it will not be without advantage to the other colonies. Earlier intelligence will be afforded concerning the movements of the mail steamers, and as King George’s Sound is only about 12 days steam from Galle, w r e shall be in a much better position as regards telegraphic communication with Europe during times of cable interruption, which are, unhappily, of such frequent recurrence. Altogether, therefore, the extension of the telegraph to Western Australia is an event upon which the various colonies have reason to congratulate themselves.