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would pass considerably to the West of the Caroline group
and
would adopt the route through the Malayan Islands via Torres Straits,
and the Harbour Master ... to add what I believe there is no reason to doubt; that steam communication is superseding sailing vessels, not only in the department of trade and intercourse as well as elsewhere.
Mr. Shansett thinks that ships leaving China with tea for Australia will be likely to adopt the route between New Guinea and New Britain, and that possibly in that case the Caroline Islands might prove useful as a coaling Station. I questioned him on this point, but he is of opinion that the Islands lie too far to the Eastward to be of any use as coaling Stations.
Your Lordship will observe that my informant, Mr. Shansett, recommends the claims of the passage between New Britain and New Guinea for survey.
Supposing it to be the intention of the Government to make fresh surveys in the Western Pacific...
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