H.—No, 5

4

SUBMARINE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH

Feiday, 9th August, 1872. Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Peesent: Mr. E. Richardson, Mr. Tribe. Mr. J. Shephard, ! Mr. O'Neill, Chairman. Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed. Evidence of Mr. Lemon taken. Mr. Lemon was thanked for his attendance, and the witnesses were requested to attend again on Wednesday. Committee then adjourned until Wednesday next, at 12 noon.

Feiday, 16th August, 1872. Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Peesent: Mr. Creighton, I Mr. J. Shephard, Mr. E. Richardson, | Mr. Tribe. Mr. O'Neill, Chairman. Minutes of last meeting read and confirmed. Mr. Lemon further examined, and presented to the Committee a paper on Submarine Cable. Mr. W. H. Floyd examined, and read papers to the Committee relative to a Submarine Cable between New Zealand and Australia. On the motion of Mr. Creighton, Besolved, That Captain Johnson and Captain Edwin be requested to attend the Committee for the purpose of giving evidence in reference to the Submarine Cable, and to bring any maps relating thereto. Committee then adjourned.

Monday, 21st October, 1872. Committee met pursuant to notice. Present .-

Mr. Creighton, Mr. E. Bichardson, Hon. Mr. Ormond, Mr. Tribe. Mr. O'Neill, Chairman.

Minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. The Committee deliberated ; when it was Resolved, That the Chairman be requested to prepare a report in terms of the notes laid before the Committee. Committee adjourned.

MINUTES OF EVIDENCE. Thuesday, 15th August, 1872. Mr. C. Lemon in attendance, and examined. 1. The Chairman.'] Tou are General Manager of Telegraphs? —Tes. 2. Have you directed your attention to submarine cables ? —The first time we had anything to do with it was with regard to the points at which the cable should be landed. The late Mr. Balfour and myself agreed that our end of the cable would suit the requirements of the Colony best if landed at Cape Farewell, on two grounds, namely :■ —Ist. So far as the cable was concerned, there would be less chance of injury, owing to the bottom of the sea being of a sandy formation. 2nd. That it would strike the centre of our Telegraph system. 3. What is the distance from Sydney ? —From 1,160 to 1,170 nautical miles, or 1,343 to 1,355 statute miles. 4. In answer to questions, witness said, when asked about the desirability of laying a cable through Foveaux Strait to Tasmania, it was not desirable, owing to the rapidity of the current through the Strait, and also that the New Zealand cable would, in case the Tasmanian broke down, be next to useless. And another cogent reason was, that an additional tariff on messages would have to be added, through our messages having to pass through the Tasmanian cable. I consider that if we are to have a cable at all, it should join Australia direct. The exact points of connection could only be determined after soundings had been made. Taking the Gutta Percha Company's samples and prices, which have been sent, the cost would range from £183,000 to £405,000. That is for a cable ready for shipment. To that the cost of freight and laying expenses would have to be added. The difference in price depends on the quality of the cable, and that, to a certain extent, depends on the nature of the ground. The £465,000 cable is a very superior article—superior to any of the others. It is stronger,

Mr. C. Lemon.

15th Aug., 1872,