PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
FILIITI mmmmmm.C.O. 885 /
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
Ins
Calculated on basis of Population at 3rd April 1881.
Colony.
Population at 3rd April 1881.
Propotion payable on
Julie-300
word- at as Deficiency, 135,000.
Proportion payable uni business-0,000 words at 58. Deficiency, 110,ne02.
Proportion payable on business--go,tida
words at 3. Deficiency, 126,5017.
39,385 11 2 34,879 17 13,093 13
Victoria
862,232
New South Wales
781,263
South Australia
293,297
Western Australia
30,013
New Zealand
500,910
5. d. 12,031 13 9 37,221 7 5 18,978 7 8 1,429 17 10 23,964 11 6
C
S. d. 34,24 0 10 30,328 10 6 11,38.5 11 5 1,165 1 11 19,445 4 2
t
Queensland
226,968
118,923
2,833,60%
10,813 6 5,665 15
13.5,000
2
8,910 16 11
8
4,616 i 3
: 1,339 17 ti 22,362 3 ခန် 10,132 11 (1 5,309 1 9)
() 0
110,000 0 0
126,501 n 0
Tasmanin
B.
STATEMENT showing the proportion payable per annum by the under-mentioned Colonies
in order to recoup, so as to cover the following expenses :-
£
Maintenance of five stations, at 2,0001. each per
annum
-
-
Maintenance of two cable steamers, at 10,0001.
per annum
10,000
Sinking funds for renewals and replacing cables - Interest on cost of cable (2.000.0007.) at 5 per
20,000 80,000
cent.
•
-
Total
100,000
210,000
Calculated on basis of Population at 3rd April 1881.
Colony.
l'opulation at 3rd April 1881.
I'roportion payable en business-300,000 words at 5s.-gives 75,0007. Deficiency, 135,000/
business-400,000 words Proportion payable on at 5s-gives 100,000l. |
Deficiency, 110,000/
business-556,660 words Proportion payable on at 3s.—gives 83,1997.. Deficiency, 126,50).
£
New Zealand
500,910
Queensland
Tasmania
226,968
118,923
3. d.
79.856 16
36.184 0 9
18,959 2 G
9
£ $. d.
65,068 10 8
29,483' 5 10
15,448 3 6
£ 3. d.
74,829 ×
33,906
17,765 10 10
!
I
DEAR SIR HENRY,
846,801
135.000 0 0
110,000 0 0
126,501 O C
Appendix III. to No. 34.
The Eastern Telegraph Company, Limited, Winchester House, 50, Old Broad Street, E.C.,
London, January 28, 1887.
In confirmation of what I said to you at our interview a few days ago I have now the pleasure to enclose copies of letters and memoranda which have been trans- mitted to the Australasian Colonies and to the Capo, having for their object the
109
possible establishment of a lower tariff for telegraph messages.
out
have suggested can be brought into force through the means which I have pointed If the low rates which to our Colonies, I bolieve that within a very short period of time the guarantees mentioned would be nominal. rates is one which must be borne by the respective Governments, for the reasons which But the risk of the introduction of these I have stated.
I am sure that so material a reduction would be hailed by the colonists with the greatest possible satisfaction; and if at the approaching Colonial Conference no other end were achieved but this, it would be, of itself, well worth the bringing together of the representatives of these important and distant Colonies, and would be productive of infinite good not only to Great Britain but to the people in these grønt dependencies.
Submarine telegraphy is of quite modern growth. Twenty years ago there were about 2,000 miles of cable laid, chiefly in the Channel, and some of the earlier sub- marine cables that were laid were unfortunately so badly constructed, that they were useless for work. I might quote as an instance the old Red Sea cable.
Science has now, however, aided so greatly in the manufacture of cables that they can at the present time he laid with comparatively little risk of breakage and with an almost certainty of efficient repair. These facts account for the rapid growth of
the submarine telegraph system, which now embraces 107.000 miles at a cost of something like thirty-seven millions sterling.
[
may mention as a contrast and to give an idea of the importance of this system,
that the whole length of the land lines now in existence in the world is some 1,750,000 miles, which represent an estimated cost of 52,000,0007.
The submarine cable system is, with the exception of some 7,000 miles, entirely under British control, and has been the result of private enterprise.
There are now, however, unmistakeable signs that France, Spain, and Italy would like to have submarine telegraphs also. France and Italy especially are making not
only efforts to manufacture cables, but they have been building ships with a view to laying and repairing them.
The value of the submarine system as it is now controlled, under British management, it is impossible to over-rate, either from a political or commercial point of view. I am sure that you must be alive to its importance for Imperial purposes. I am told that in regard to our enormous commerce and its relation to the movements of our great mercantile marine, both the one and the other are more or less controlled and influenced by our submarine system. The economy in the working of ships is very great indeed; and in commercial transactions there are few of any magnitude which do not involve the forwarding and receiving of telegraphic messages.
These circumstances show that it is of great importance that the control of the telegraphs should be, as far as possible, in British hands; while it is of equal importance that the tariffs should be as low as it is possible to make them. Private enterprise has originated and carried on these companies, but of course they must be worked with a view of giving a reasonable return to the shareholders.
The companies over which I have the honour to preside have mainly to do with the Mediterranean system, the Red Sea, Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, the Cape and West Africa, and also one of the cables to America.
The maintenance of these systems necessitates no fower than 10 large repairing steamers, fully equipped for laying and repairing. We have established tanks for the purpose of storing spare cable at Gibraltar, Malta, Syra, Suez, Perim, Zanzibar, Singapore, and Shanghai. In these tanks at the present moment there are no less than 1,500 miles of cable. On several occasions during the recent times of war these stores have been of great value by enabling the companies to meet the Government's urgent demands at the moment, by connecting at times Besika Bay, Gallipoli, and Princes Islands in the Sea of Marmora. Later again, Port Said and Suakim were connected.
I merely mention these facts as showing how necessary it is for the Government to keep in friendly hands such an important reserve of power which may on certain occasions become invaluable. Should the Government and the Colonies come to an understanding, similar depots would be established at the Cape as well as in our other Colonies.
From my long experience I am not speaking without authority as regards the enormous value that these submarine telegraphs possess in promoting commercial relations between the various commercial centres of the world, and in bringing into daily, indeed hourly, contact all our ('olonies and dependencies with the mother country.
N 3
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