17

F.—4,

The cable to be coiled in water-tight tanks, and covered with water as soon as made, and to be so kept until coiled on board the vessels appointed to receive it. Macassar to Normanton. Main Cable ... ... ... ... ... ... 1,718 knots. Intermediate ... ... ... .... ... ... 74 „ Light Shore End ... ... ... ... ... ... 50 Heavy Shore End ... ... ... ... ... ... 18 „ Total ... ... 1,860 knots. Conductor. —The conductor to consist of a strand of seven annealed copper wires, weighing 240 lbs. per nautical mile, or within 5 per cent, thereof ; and the interstices to be filled up with Chatterton's compound. The conducting power to be not less than 90 per cent, of that of pure copper at a temperature of 75° Fah. Insulation. —The conductor to be insulated with three coatings of gutta percha, weighing 260 lbs. per nautical mile. Chatterton's compound to be laid on the wire between the conductor and the first covering of gutta percha, and also between each covering of gutta percha; the coverings to be as near as possible of equal thickness. The insulation resistance of the completed core to be not less than 200 millions of B.A. units per nautical mile, at a temperature of 75° Fah. after one minute's electrification. Serving. —The core to be covered with a good and sufficient serving of jute-yarn to form a compact body when the iron wires are closed around it; the yarn to be uniform, free from knots, and of the best quality. Armature. —The main cable to consist of fifteen " best best" galvanized iron wires, "124 inch diameter. The intermediate to consist of ten " best best " galvanized iron wires, "224 inch diameter. The light shore end to consist of ten " best best " galvanized iron wires, '365 inch diameter. The heavy shore end to consist of twelve " best best " galvanized iron wires, '4 inch diameter. Outer Covering. —The whole of the cables to be served with two coatings of tarred jute-yarn, put on in reverse lays, and bituminous compound. Lay of Iron Wires. —The iron wires to be laid on spirally round the core, with a turn suitable to the size of the wire, and to lie close together; the work to be done in the best and most workmanlike manner. The cable to be coiled in water-tight tanks, and covered with water as soon as made, and to be so kept until coiled on board the vessels appointed to receive it.

ll.—As to the proposed two Cables.

No. 17. Messrs. Siemens to the Hon. J. Vogel. 12, Queen Anne's Gate (formerly known as 8, Park Street), Sie ,— London, S.W., 12th May, 1875. We beg leave to confirm our letter of the 7th instant; and we now address you again on the subject of the Indo-Australasian Telegraph project, because rumours have reached us that the New Zealand Government, either alone or in conjunction with other Colonial Governments, have already concluded or are on the point of concluding an arrangement with the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company, by which the said Government or Governments intend to contribute a part of the necessary funds for the construction of the cable to connect New Zealand with Australia, or to render the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company assistance in some other way to further the carrying out of that line. After the great expenditure of time and money incurred by us towards the establishment of a second independent line of communication between India and Australasia, we are unwilling to believe that these rumours are based upon facts, as we Hatter ourselves that, in case of any alteration of the guarantee or assistance offered by the Colonial Governments which were found impracticable for the carrying out of the project, we would be acquainted with the terms of such alteration, so as to give us a fair chance to recoup us for the trouble we have had during the past years in that matter. We therefore shall feel greatly obliged if you will inform us if there is any truth in such reports ; and should the carrying out of the New Zealand line (or any other part of the Australasian line), have been offered to the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company upon other terms than those upon which we had the honor to negotiate with you, we should be glad if you would give the opportunity either to us or to the Indo-Australasian Telegraph Company, with whom we act in concert, of considering such new terms, so that we may have at least the same chance as other parties of obtaining the contract for the work contemplated. We shall be most happy to meet you on the subject, and to attend any appointment which you will be pleased to make. We have, Ac, (Pro Siemens Brothers), Julius Vogel, Esq., C.M.G., Premier of New Zealand. L. Lceffler.

No. 18. The Hon. J. Vogel and Sir D. Coopee to Messrs. Siemens. Gentlemen, — London, 21st May, 1875. We have deferred answering your letter of the 12th instant, addressed to us separately, until we could confer together and give you a joint reply. 3—F. 4.