CABLE MATTERS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 200, 2 December 1910, Page 5

CABLE MATTERS.

THE ICELAND ROUTE. By Cable.—Press Association. —Copyright. London, November 30. The Times' engineering correspondent says that the ocean depths between Scotland. Iceland and Labrador do not present abnormal conditions for cablelaying, and the polar ice-drifts in the Western Atlantic to Chesapeake Bay would be without detriment to cableship operations. The peril, if any, is in the shallows, where an iceberg is occasionally met with. The modern Rock type ought to suffice, when the precaution is taken to lay the cable in. duplicate along the different routes. Assuming the same type of core is used, a signalling distance of seventy miles should be carried on eight or nine times more rapidly than over 2000 miles. FIVE LETTERS ONE WORD. London, November 30. The Toronto correspondent of the Times states it is reported that the cable companies and post office authorities are discussing a proposal that five letters be regarded as one word in deferred Pacific cable messages. That, if true, makes the proposition farcical. THE NEW ROUTE SUPPORTED. By Cable —Press Association —Copyright. Received 1, 11.50 p.m. London, December 1. Sir George Reid, interviewed, stated he had forwarded to the Australasian Government the information regarding the Iceland cable, which experts suggested was worthy of the fullest and immediate investigation.

The Times says the financial estimate is thoroughly reliable, and hopes the Imperial Government will reconsider its refusal to promote a State-owned Atlantic cable.

Copenhagen messages state that the scheme is much commented on there, because Denmark would thereby secure communication with Greenland. The Canadian Government has entered into negotiations with the Great Northern Telegraph Company, whose lines would be used, and it is believed the scheme has good prospects, but final arrangements have yet to be made between the Canadian and British Governments and the Great Northern Telegraph Company.