687
Administering the Government the desirability of establishing communication either by cable, or, should such be feasible, by Telephone electrically.
It appears to the Committee highly desirable that the Gap Rock should be connected with Headquarters not only for the purpose of keeping communication between the Authorities and their employees at the Lighthouse at such times as the extraordinary state of the weather renders ordinary intercourse dangerous or impossible, but also as a means of affording early information of the approach of vessels.
The expense of laying a cable would of course be considerable, but the Committee are of opinion that any undertaking which promises to encourage and facilitate shipping business, the mainspring of thriving progress, merits liberal expenditure at the hands of the Government.
Should additional funds, beyond those already voted, be required to carry out the suggestion of the Committee, the temporary bay tonnage dues now levied could be continued till the additional expenditure was liquidated.
Requesting that you will be good enough to lay the contents of this letter before His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government for his favourable consideration.
I have &c. F. W. Deane,
Acting Colonial Secretary.
I have &c. F. F. Henderson,
Colonial Secretary.