THE INDO-AUSTRALIAN TELEGRAPH.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1333, 6 November 1872, Page 2

THE INDO-AUSTRALIAN TELEGRAPH.

Telegraphic communication with Europe may be said to be now regularly established. Jn the digits, of the 23rd, appears a lengthy message from Reuter, the agent of the Australian Associated Press, containing the most important items, of news which- have transpired since the despatch of the last mail telegrams. -This is the second message which has come through to Melbourne, an earlier one having been received by Messrs M'Ewan and Co on business matters. Considering all the circumstances, the press message has been transmitted with reasonable promptitude. It was not known until late on Sunday night that the cable was open, and the message^ of course, look some time to compile^ It was despatched from London on Monday at 25 minutes past 4 p.m., corresponding to our time of 10 minutes to 2 a.m on. Tuesday morning. It was received in Melbourne at 11 o'olo'dk pn the, night "Qf the 22nd, so that it occupied as nearly as possible 21 hours in transmission. To those who are unacquainted with the telegraphic system of which we now form part this may appear, a long time, but when the exact position of affairs is apprehended it will be conceded that a very creditable feat in telegraphy has' : been achieved. Between London and Melbourne a telegraphic message passes through the hands of the operators no less than: 36 times. There I are 38 " repeating " stations, afc each of which the message has to be received, copied, and re-transmitted ; and it . wjll be readily understood that in.the case of a message of several hundred words,, a considerable amount of time is thus consumed. Besides, the business on the Indian and other connecting lines is very heavy, and Australian messages may, at the least, be expected to have to wait their turn. : Taking all these things into account, and remembering also that this is the. first time the line has been put to the test,' the fact' that there" has been received in Melbourne London news, not 24 hours old must be considered highly gratifying, : .