WELLINGTON.

Lyttelton Times, Volume X, Issue 614, 25 September 1858, Page 4

WELLINGTON.

By the Canterbury we have papers to the

18th instant. The political affairs of our neighbours do not seem to approach any nearer to a state of quiescence; the Superintendent has prorogued the Council sine die, with a view to a dissolution by the Governor. Meanwhile he calls round liini his old Executive, Messrs. Fox, Fitzherbert, Brandon, and Woodward, with the addition of Mr. Johnston, without office. The ' Spectator' complains that neither the Secretary nor the Treasurer is a member of the Provincial Council.

Thus having made things safe so far as pro-

viding that " the Queen's Government shall be carried on," and not finding it necessary or convenient to contest seats in the Council which is so soon to be dissolved, the " Constitutional party" advise and permit the head of the Government, their chief, to go to Melbourne for the furtherance of the steam project which, is to unite the two cities.

At the elections for the city, the members of Mr. Ludlam's Government, applying for reelection after having taken office, were the only candidates. But in the Wairarapa, Mr. Borlase, who was law officer to that intermediate government, has been defeated by Captain Smith, a candidate under the colours of the other party. Mr. Fox has also to go to his constituents at Wanganui, and to that end issues a long address, on which we have before commented, offering to propose a free grant of 50 acres of land to every man who will reside on it for twelve months. What probability exists of carrying this proposition into effect Mr. Fox does not say. He says the question must be referred to the General Assembly, thereby, we should think, conveying but little comfort to the would-be grantees. However the decision of the Assembly may be, Mr. Fox will have the credit of liberality all the same.

An action has been brought in the Wellington Police Court by Mr. Schroder of Nelson, on behalf of his daughter, a girl of 12 years old, against the Rev. Arthur Baker, a clergyman of the Church of England and incumbent of "Wellington, for an indecent assault upon the girl on the Ist of June. The trial is reported at length in the papers. A full bench of magistrates, consisting of 15 besides the Resident Magistrate, decided that the defendant was guilty, and fined him five pounds. Sir. Baker appeals to the public by a letter in the papers against this decision, which is of course destructive to his character and position. We subjoin a report upon the feasibility of constructing an Electric Telegraph between Australia and New Zealand, which the 'Independent' extracts from the Melbourne papers::— Mr. McGowas's Report. ; Department of Electric Telegraph, „ Office of General Superintendent, Mslbocrne, 24ili July, 185 S. Sib,—With reference to the subject of our recent conversation respecting the practicability of forming a telegraphic connection with the important and now rapidly advancing colony of New Zealand, I have, in accordance with your request, made myself as well acquainted with the several points to be taken into consideration in framing a general estimate of the probable cost, and the various contingencies to be provided for in the undertaking, as the nature orthe resources at my command wonld enable me to render available.

I have therefore the honor to submit the following proposition for establishing communication by electric telegraph between Australia and New Zealand.

Assuming that it would be desirable on account of geographical position as also from the direct and active interest which the Colony of Victoria would, I have no donbf, take in carrying out the project, that the connection by submarine cable should be effected between some available point between Cape Howe and Port Philip Heads, in Australia, and the nearest practicable or desirable locality on the Western Coast of New Zealand, I am prepared to recommend as in my opinion the most feasible course, that ihe line should commence by an overland section from Melbourne to Port Albert in the Gipp's Land District, and be continued thence by submarine cable to the most favorable point in the vicinity of Cook's Straits, as near as possible to Wellington.

In proposing the route here indicated I am aware that a considerable increase in the length oi submarine cable would be occasioned over and above what would be required to connect more contiguous points in Australia and New Zealand, bnt taking into account the centrality of the positions named, I think that upon consideration it will be admitted that more central points of connection conld scarcely have been selected, supposing that the peculiar local interests of any single colony or province may not be allowed to preponderate in determining the special points of connection; but rather that the united interests of the respective colonies should dictate the proper course to be. adopted, such colonies being directly interested.aithough of course nnequally, in the establishment of the most immediate and reliablfi means of commercial intercourse with remote but important localities within the Australian group. I therefore beg to snbmit that in my opinion the geographical position of Yictoria,even apart from the consideration of other interests, is peculiarly adapted for the establishment of telegraphic communication with New Zealand forming as it will the centering point of the general scheme of mter-colonial telegraphic union now rapidly approaching completion between New South Wales, South Australia Victoria and Tasmania. '

On reference to the chart, I consider the moat favourable route for the line would be from the best landing point near Corner Inlet in a direct conrse either to Cape Farewell, and thence by an overland section to Nelson, and afterwards to the moat practicable point on the southern side of Cook's Straits, thence by a Bhort sub-marine cable to the port of Wellington; or by keeping a more northerly course, avoiding Cape Farewell, terminate the cable at the most suitable landing place on the north aide of Cook's StraUs, thence by an overland section to Wellington From this point a line might readily be extended to Auckland and Atanakau, and if desired, a submarine lino mk-ht cross Cook's Straits, and the communication might be extended overland to. connect Nelson and the principal places of importance in the Middle Island. . In^ order to carry out the main portion of the undertaking, Bay between. Corner'lnlet Mid the West Coast of New- Zealand,', at either of. the points indicated a sub-raanne cable would bo required of not less than tl.irteen hundred nrid fifty mile* (1350) in length, allowing the winal per ceuta £ e over the actual distance' which must be

provided for, in order to moot the probable effect of tidal currents, lee way, and similar contingencies; on account of which it becomes necessary that a curtain margin should be allowed, as a security against tho possibility of failure from any unforscen expenditure of cable likely to be occasioned from the causes named.

The maguitudo and importance of this work will present itself so strongly to the minds of reflecting persons, taking into consideration the pecuniary risk likely to be involved, that I am sure that I need not allude specially to the great care and extended digest which will bo required, beforo proceeding with tho practical details neccssar}' to perfect so great mi undertaking, in such a manner as to ensure, so far as human foresight may provide, its ultimate efficiency and permanency. I would therefore, at this period merely observe that in laying down submarine cables, it is usually considered essential that tho cable should bo submerged directly from a vessel worked by steam power, but as in this instance, owing to the remoteness of the field of operation from the place where the cable would require to be manufactured, and the disproportionate cost of conveying steam power for the especial purpose from Great Britain to these colonies, I wonld beg to recommend that the cable should be conveyed in sailing vessels of stated capacity and construction ; the necessary stctun power to be applied independently, in tho form of powerful tugs at the period when it may be deemed safest to attempt tho laying of this cable. The probable cost would not in my opinion exceed tho following estimate, which is inclusive of the cost of transport and of submerging the cable. For 1,350 miles of single wire, deep sea line, including shallow water or shore, sections, expense of transport and submersion, 5ay............ jf148,750 0 0 Instruments, batteries, stations, and contingencies 10,000 0 0 Overland Sections 15,000 0 0 .^173,750 0 0 In this estimate provision has only been made for a light single wire cable with heavy shore ends, as the necessity for more than one conductor is not likely to arise until such a period as may perhaps justify the laying down of an additional cable, should that contingency ever present itself. The submersion of the cable should be effected in nearly a similar manner to the plan adopted for submerging the sub Atlantic telegraph; two vessels, each containing one half of the cable, meeting mid-way between the places determined upon, would, after joining the ends, pay out the cable simultaneously as each proceeded to the respective ocean termini of the line; communication being constantly maintained between the vessels during their progress, so that any difficulty or interruption might at once be made known, and all available means be employed to obviate as far as possible the likelihood of loss or failure, lessening at the same time the large amount of risk necessarily involved. Shonld it be decided to undertake this most important work, I would beg to remark that in my opinion it would be highly desirable to make an accurate survey and minute examination of the entire route, and from the information thus obtained, specifications having been framed, advertisements calling for tenders might be issued both here and in England, by means of which the lowest amount of expenditure, and most efficient performance of the work wonld perhaps be secured.

The expense of a preliminary survey would cost, induing steam power, about £ 1,800.

In conclusion I would beg leave to observe that as the Government of New Zealand may perhaps feel some reluctance to undertake a work of such magnitude, in a. pecuniary sense, it mightnot be unadvisable to invite the co-operation of the several Colonial Governments interested in establishing closer relations with our distant sister colony, aud then through their united contributions carry out a most important public -work, beneficial alike to all mutually, but which no single member of the gronp would be in a' position to bear alone. ..... I have the honour to be, Sjr, Your obedient Servant, (Signed) ' Samuel W. McGqwan. The Hon. G. S.Evans, Postmaster-General of Victoria.