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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4767, 3 July 1876, Page 2

The following telegram, received by the Government on Saturday from the Colonial Secretary of New South Wales, explains what has been done in reference to the service between Port Darwin and Java The agreement is concluded; the Simoon to leave here on Tuesday night, proceeding via Townsville, to Port Darwin, to take up the regular service between Port Darwin and Bangoewangie. The conditions and cost are as follows ; The Governments retain the power to cancel the service either at Sydney, Townsville, Port Darwin, or at any other time (by paying for the current round trip) in the event of the cable being repaired. If cancelled whilst the vessel is at Sydney, £IOOO is to be paid ; if cancelled at Townsville, £ISOO is to be paid ; if at Port Darwin, £2250 is to be paid. Should the vessel, run between Port Darwin and Bangoewangie, £IOOO is to be paid for each round trip, in addition to £ISOO for the voyage to Port Darwin, twenty-four hours to be allowed if necessary for obtaining answers to telegrams at Townsville and Port Darwin, and three days at Bangoewangie. If this time time be exceeded, demurrage of £66 13s. 4d. per day is to be paid for the detention of the vessel, the officer acting for the Governments accompanying the vessel to have the power of determining any of these cancellations. A copy of the agreement will be sent by first steamer. The arrangement that the Cable Company pay for the telegrams being carried to and from Port Darwin and their station at Bangoewangie had better be arranged by South Australia. Our idea is that the charges for messages should remain the same as if the cable were open.” It is worthy -of particular note that telegrams may be sent to Sydney up to Tuesday evening, and later on to catch the steamer at Townsville and Port Darwin, for transmission to Bangowangie.