CABLE NEWS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2940, 3 July 1888, Page 2

CABLE NEWS.

The Broken Cables, - A Scare In Melbourne. Sydney, June 30. No information lias been disclosed as to tho break of both cables from Port Darwin to, Banjoewangi. The failing of both cables at the same time is regarded as singular, and it is surmised that possibly ono of the cables was broken some time ago and the fact kept secret, until the second one also gavo way, when the company had to admit that communication was interrupted,

July 1. The local manager of tlie Eastern Extension Company states that thero is no ground whatever for believing that one of tlie cables was broken beforq Friday last, and the fact kept secret, The official statement declares that on Friday, the last timo they spoke to Singapore, the signals became small on the new cable, and tha' tho old cable was all right on the same day. it is thought {hat the break of the' cables was caused by an eruption in tho Strait of Bali, which is near Java. Disturbances, which have hitherto been frequent in this locality, hare been the cause of the cable being interrupted on previous occasions, I'Jib company have made arrangements for at once repairing the break, and it is expected that ono or two of their vessels ate available for the work. The new cable broke 100 miles from Java, and the old one 500 miles from Port Darwin,

Melbourne, July 1. Throughout tho wholo of this day great excitement has been prevalent in the city, it being thought that war had broken out. The excitement evidently originated owiug to the', sudden interruption of the two cables between Port Darwin and Banjojwangi, It was currently reported that war had broken out, and the authorities here have wired to Admiral Fairfax of H.M.S. Nelson, who is at present at Brisbane, on tho subject.

July 2. The Governor held a council of war yesterday, The result of tho delibeiations was that the gunboat Albert was sent to the Heads on patrol duty, and tlio remainder of the fleet got up steam and was placed in fighting trim. The Naval and Submarine Torpedo Corps and reserves'wero called out and ordered on board their respective vessels. Submarine mines wero laid down, and tlio electric light was kept going- all night, Tho total revenue of the colony for the year amounts to £7,600,000, being an increase on the last year of £BBO,OOO The principal increases ha«e been in the following departments:—Customs, £220,000; and Public Works, £307, 000.

The derelict vessel which was discovered some days a,jo off the harbour of Newcastle still remains in the same position, her anchors holding firmly. The steamer Alhambra was chartered to endeavour to remove the obstruction but although she has been engaged for the past week trying to tow the derelict into port she has not succeeded. Yesterday tho steemer ran foul of the ill-fated vessel, and was so severely damaged that she sank in a. few minutes, tlio crew having but a few minutes in which to save themselves, The South British Insurance Company have a risk of £6OOO on the sunken steamer.