The Westport Times. FRIDAY, MAY 1, 1874.

Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1172, 1 May 1874, Page 2

The Westport Times. FRIDAY, MAY 1, 1874.

From the Sydney Morning Herald of the 27th ultimo we condense the following particulars relative to tho proposed construction of a submarine telegraph communication between New Zealand, Now South Wales, Queensland, and Singapore. In the Sydney Legislative Assembly, Mr Parkcs laid on the table an agreement approved of by the Sydney Executive Council, and by the representatives of New South Wales, New Zealand, and Queensland recommended to their Governments for the approval of their respective parliaments. The conditions are as follows: —1. The three colonies shall jointly enter into an arrangement for the construction of an electric cable to be laid between some point in New Zealand and some point in New South Wales, and also a cable to be laid from Normanton in Queensland to Singapore, the latter to be a through cable touching only at such points as may be agreed on, and to be entirely distinct, the whole distance, from tho line between Tort Darwin and Singapore. 2. The arrangement to bo for a guarantee of five per cent, for a term not exceeding thirty-five years, upon a sum not exceeding one million pounds for the cost of the two lines. 3. Twelve thousaud pounds per annum to be allowed, to cover in full, all expenses. All receipts above twelve thousand pounds to pass in reduction of the guarantee. The contractors to retain receipts in excess of the guarantee ; but if the profits are more than ten per cent, the Governments may require that the rates shall be lowered to amounts calculated to reduce the profits to ten per cent. 4>. The guarantee to be paid only whilst the lines are in working order : provided that four weeks in each year will be allowed for repairs. If the New Zealand line only be in order, one-third of the guarantee to be paid ; if the Singapore line only be in order, two-thirds of the guarantee to be paid. If the lines are not kept in order with clue diligence, or if communication should permanently fail, the guarantee to cease. 5. The two lines to be commenced and constructed simultaneously. G. The cost per message of twenty words from New Zealand to New South Wales, not to exceed fifteen shillings ; the charge for each word above twenty being ninepenco. And the cost for twenty words from Normanton to Singapore not to exceed forty shillings for the first two years, and thirty-five shillings afterwards ; the charge for er jh w.ovd above twenty being two shillings. 7. Queensland to undertake to keep the laud line to Normanton open for tho use of the other several contributing colonies at rates not to exceed at any time seven shillings for twenty words. 8. The three Governments to act in unison, and to jointly arrange the details. 9. This agreement, after being approved of by tho respective Governments, to be subject to ratification by the respective Parliaments ; and the details to be arranged in London by representatives appointed by the three colonies- 10. The Governments will require to be satisfied that the contractors have made a proper provision for tho use of a through lino of communication between Singapore and London. These items were telegraphed to Messrs. Siemcn Brothers of Loudon, and elicited a satisfactory reply of acceptance, and, following thereupon, there was submitted to the Postmaster-General of Sydney the names of gentlemen prepared to take tho responsibility. Such names include those of the chairman and managing directors of all the cable telegraph companies already in existence, and of Messrs Siemeu Brothers, the renowned firm of cable telegraph contractors. The list of names was accompanied by a memo of agreements, contracts, power?, and letters of instruction held by Mr Coote, who also adds : —" The cables will be worked in connection with the laud lines of the IndoEuropean Telegraph Company. I may be permitted to add, no other company could give the same facility for direct communication with England without having a third cable between Singapore and Moulmcin, or Madras, at au extra cost of £500,000, without they were allowed to work in connection with the Port Darwin Cable Company. In conclusion, I may bo permitted to add, by the Government having a company of so influential a character to deal with, they arc guaranteed the completion of the cables and the satisfactory working of the whole line." Queensland and Now Zealand have by act of legislature ratified the agreement, and a similar ratification by the New South Wales Government must eventually be conceded. Tho great work once completed Now Zealand will obtain a priceless boon, in holding equal communication with her sister coloniea, and the rest of the civilised world.