THE PACIFIC CABLE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1821, 27 November 1888, Page 1

THE PACIFIC CABLE.

London, November 22;. Two hundred persons were present at the meeting to-day to 1 discuss the queptioM of a Pacific- cable. Sir Oswald Smith, ot Canada, moved, 5 and M r Doxptt, of Dalgetty and, Op.i; seconded, a resolution to the effect that in view of the discontent with the Eastern Extension Company this meeting pledges Itself to support a< cable .by the Pacific route via Harvey Panning Islands, Samoa, Fiji,,.and New Zealand, provided the custom of the various Governments is given, and a guarantee extending over 25 years.- The resolution was carried,' and it was aunouncpd that the company had. determined to construct a cable whether the guarantee was given or not. The meeting was presided over by Lord Winchelsea, and many merchants and others were present. Motions in favor of the Vancouver cable were Jcarriedi jwi th.. entbusiaam. The promoters promised that the maximum charge should be ds per word on condition that Government custom would amount U £7500 per year. The Secretary of the Eastern Extension Cable Company, in a letter to the Times, states that a duplicate cable across the PacifioOcean would cost four millions, and bo difficult to maintain and protect. lie adds that it would be better, jfld ,cheeper rates be obtained, by adopting the guarantee proposal of Sir John Pender, Chairman of the Eastern Company. Sydney, November 28. News is to hand from Tonga to the effect that H.M.B. Egeria has been ordered to survey the Pacific cable route between Suva and New Zealand,