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ELECMIC TELEGRAPH.

COPY OF A CIRCULAR DESPATCH FROM THE RIGHT HON. LORD STANLEY TO GOVERNOR GOUE BROWNE, C.B. Downing Street, 29th May, 1858. I transmit for your information, the copy of a Letter for Mr. Lionel Gisborne relative to a project which he has in view for effecting a Telegraph Communication, by way of India with Australia. I also annex copies of a Correspondence between \lris Department and the India Board, on the subject; and I shall be glad to be favored with any remarks which may occur to you on a question which, it is almost superfluous to add, promises to be of the utmost importance to the interests of the Colony under your Government. I have, &c\, (Signed) Stanley. Governor Gore Browne, C.8., &c., &c, fete, New Zealand.

30th March, IKS Colonial Office, Bth April, 1858 India Board, 24th May, 1818

MR. GISBORNE TO LORD STANLEY. 6 Duke-street, Adelphi, (W.C.), 20th March, 1858. II r Lord, — On the 12th of October last, I addressed a Communication to Her Majesty's Colonial Minister upon the question of Telegraphic Communication with Australia. Your Lordship favored me with an interview upon this matter during the course of this morning. The two points I am desirous of calling your Lordship's attention to, are : 1. That the Indian Government should give an assurance that they will execute a Telegraphic line between their possessions in the Continent of India and Singapore. 2nd. That when such an assurance is given, your Lordship will communicate to the Australian Governments the project I have had the honor to submit, and will place me in a position to negotiate the execution of it through the Australian Governments. I have, &c, (Signed) Lionel Gisborne. The Right Honorable Lord Stanley, &c, &c. &c.

Enclosure.)

MR. MF.RIVALE TO SIR GEORGE CLERK. Downing Street, Bth April, 1853. Sib,— I am directed by Lord Stanley to transmit to you, for the consideration of the Commissioners for the affairs of India, the enclosed copy of a Letter fro<n Mr. L. Gisborne, on the question of a Telegraphic Communication by way of India with Australia. Mr. Gisborne's plan is,— Ist. To endeavour to obtain from the Indian Government a Contract for the Line from Tennasserim (where it could join the Indian Telegraphic system) to Penang and Singapore. 2nd. From thence, with the aid of a subsidy, of which he states that he has already obtained the jwomise from the Dutch Government,to carry it (without aid from England or from any Colony) to the North Coast of Australia. 3rd. To induce the Governments of the various Australian Colonies to carry it on down the East Coast to Moreton Bay, and thence to Melbourne. Each part of this plan is dependent for success on the success of the rest. I am to request that you will express Lord Stanley's opinion, that the execution of this project, if it can be successfully carried into effect, would confer great benefits on Australia and the Empire, and that on this ground His Lordship begs to recommend it to the consideration of the Commissioners for the affairs of India, with whom, however, it must rest to decide on its feasibility, and also its expediency so far as regards India. Should they find sufficient grounds to authorise the execution of the Indian

I (Enclosure.)