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Grey River Argus, Volume XI, Issue 915, 3 July 1871, Page 3

A correspondent of the Southern Cross says : — "In the absence of good or agreeable news from abroad, I am glad to be able to give you authentic tidings of one of the best and happiest incidents that have for a long time occurred in the progress of our peaceful industrial development. The contrast has, after many months of negotiation, been finally agreed upon between the representative in this country of North Australia' and the wellknown telegraph company over which Lord Monck presides, for the immediate laying of an electric cable between a southern port of Java and Port Darwin, the. capital^ of the colony. The company engage to begin their portion of the important work at onee — that is to say, as soon as the contract shall have been ratified by the Governor in Council ; and they are prepared to bind themselves, under penalties, that the cable shall be laid and in working order by the end of this present year. On the other hand, the colony engage to complete within the same period the land line from Port Darwin to Adelaide. The latter portion of the undertaking is, in fact, the essential and indispensable condition of the former proviug successful ; for by their joint and simultaneous completion all the other great towns of the Island Continent will easily and rapidly be united in the proposed system. When that shall have been done, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, and Hobart Town will be within 24 hours 1 whisper of London, Manchester, and Glasgow. New and innumerable ties of interest and sympathy will thus be called into life between the older and the younger members of the Anglo-Saxon race ; and fresh guarantees, let us hope, will thus be secured for their common strength and prosperity. The distance from Java to Port Darwin is calculated as being little more tham 1100 miles— rthat from Port Darwin to Adelaide between 1600 and 1700. Reuter has been waiting the time for telegraphic communication being direct between the colonies and the old country. Now that this connection is likely to be made in a few months, Reuter has intimated that he is ready to occupy the field. One of the agents, Mr Henry M. Collirs, will soon arrive in Melbourne for the purpose of making arrangements to supply the colonies with a daily resume of all important European and American political, financial, and general information. ____