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inclination to deal in a fair business spirit with those upon whom the access or non-success of your line is dependent. They are as follows:
1.-The alteration of the word rate to $1.50 per word, and the retention of the old charge of $29 for twenty words, thus allowing the sender of that number the advantage of a sum of $1.
The numerous protests of late raised both by merchants and the public, here and at home, show the existence of a dissatisfaction which can scarcely fail to act injuriously on the interests of your lines. Under these circumstances, it is hoped that the considerations which it is deemed desirable to bring to your notice,—echoing as they do remonstrances from similar bodies in Great Britain,—will have some weight. They aim at inducing your reconsideration of regulations deemed by all who avail themselves of telegraphic facilities as calculated to materially check the free use of the cables, and, not impossibly, to provoke a competition assured of large and remunerative support.
Of the introduction of a word-tariff in lieu of the former system, whereunder all messages were charged as embodying 20 words, this Chamber has nothing but approval to express. But in conceding this reform, your Directors have placed the majority of mercantile firms and business men in a position which appreciably exacts from them payments disproportionably high. And this result has imposed upon many a necessity for economy in telegraphing, which can scarcely fail eventually to materially decrease the business of your lines.
The tariff in force until 1st January, 1870, though undoubtedly high, was cheerfully submitted to, in view of the risks taken by your Company in laying the first line to this Colony. But the change which has had the effect of raising the local charge for twenty words from $29 to $40, seems to this Chamber injudicious and unfair to your supporters.
The second point upon which this Chamber would enter a strong protest is the regulation limiting the number of letters to ten for an ordinary word. This rule has proved most vexatious, as many ordinary English words, such as “unintelligible,” “understanding,” &c., have to be paid for at the rate of two words each, while an address, such, for instance, as San Francisco, is similarly charged.
The compulsory charge for repeating figure cyphers is, in the opinion of the Chamber, most unfair to the mercantile community, in so far as any dishonest person choosing to declare that his figures contain no secret meaning, has a great advantage over more scrupulous senders. The feeling generally entertained on this matter at home finds a complete echo in this Colony and in China. Without entering into all the suggestions, with which reports of recent meetings held in England and the comments of the London press thereon will have made you familiar, this Chamber, as representing the community at the Eastern terminus of your line, desires to recommend to your consideration certain modifications.
2.-The extension of the number of letters forming a word in any ordinary European language to twelve in place of ten.
3.-The abolition of any compulsory repetition of figure cyphers.
These concessions would, in the opinion of this Chamber, lead to an increase of telegraphic business. It is well aware of the limitations within which the principle that cheapness induces remunerative traffic applies to Telegraph Companies; but a careful consideration and discussion of the matter leads it to believe that the recommendations above made would, if adopted, prove advantageous to your Company.
Another and separate subject of complaint is the new regulation relating to messages which have been garbled in transmission. This is manifestly just, as making the senders of messages pay for the blunders of the telegraphers; it is also considered to have a tendency to engender carelessness on the part of these employees.
It is the opinion of this Chamber that a refund ought to be made in cases of proved mistake on the part of the Company's employés.
Trusting that these suggestions will meet with due consideration, and requesting the favour of an early reply,
I am, Gentlemen,
Your most obedient Servant,
(Signed,) P. RYRIE,
Chairman.
THE EASTERN EXTENSION AUSTRALASIA AND CHINA TELEGRAPH COMPANY, LIMITED.
66, Old Broad Street, London, E.C.
22nd June 1876.
SIR—
I have the pleasure to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 8th March last, and, in reply, would beg to state that this Company is of a
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inclination to deal in a fair business spirit with those upon whom the access or non-success of your line is dependent. They are as follows:
1.-The alteration of the word rate to $1.50 per word, and the retentior. the old charge of $29 for twenty words, thus allowing the sender of that amber the advantage of a sum of $1.
The numerous protests of late raised both by merchants and the public and to increase rather than decrease your receipts, and would certainly show press, here and at home, shew the existence of a dissatisfaction which can scarcely fail to act injuriously on the interests of your lines. Under these circunstances, it is hoped that the considerations which it is deemed dosirable to bring to your notice,-echoing as they do remonstrances from similar bodies in Great Britain,-will have some weight. They aim at inducing your re- consideration of regulations deemed by all who avail themselves of Telegraphia facilities, as calculated to materially check the free use of the cables, and, not impossibly, to provoke a competition assured of large and remunerative support Of the introduction of a word-tariff in lieu of the former system, whereunder all messages were charged as embodying 20 words, this Chamber has nothing but approval to express. But in conceding this reform, your Directors have placed the majority of mercantile firms and business men in a position which spreciable increase of telegraphic business. It is well aware of the limita-
plies exacts from then payments disproportionably high. And this result has ons within which the principle that cheapness induces remunerative traffic imposed upon many a necessity for economy in telegraphing, which can scarcely fail eventually to materially decrease the business of your lines.
The tariff in force until 1st January, 1870, though undoubtedly high, was cheerfully submitted to, in view of the risks taken by your Company in laying the first lino to this Colony. But the change which has had the effect of raising the local charge for twenty words from Dollars twenty-nine Dollars forty, seems to this Chamber injudicious and unfair to your supporters The second point upon which this Chamber would enter a strong protest is the regulation limiting the number of letters to ten for an ordinary word This rule has proved most vexatious, as many ordinary English words, such as “unintelligible," "understanding," &c., have to be paid for at the rate of two words each, while an address, such, for instance, as San Francisco, is similarly charged.
The compulsory charge for repeating figure cyphers is, in the opinion of the Chamber, most, unfair to the mercantile community, in so far as any dishonest person choosing to declare that his figures contain no secret meaning, has a great advantage over more scrupulous senders. The feeling generally enter tained on this matter at home finds a complete echo in this Colony and in China. Without entering into all the suggestions, with which reports o recent meetings held in England and the comments of the London pras thereon will have made you familiar, this Chamber, as representing the cou munity at the Eastern terminus of your line, desires to recommend to your consideration certain modifications.
2.-The extension of the number of letters forming a word in any ordinary uropean language to twelve in place of ten.
3.-The abolition of any compulsory repetition of figure cyphers. These concessions would, in the opinion of this Chamber, lead to an
to Telegraph Companies; but a careful consideration and discussion the matter leads it to believe, that the recommendations above made would, adopted, prove advantageous to your Company.
Another and separate subject of complaint is the new regulation relating messages which have been garbled in transmission. This is manifestly just, as making the senders of messages pay for the blunders of the telegra- It is the opinion of this Chamber, that a refund ought to be made in hers, also as having a tendency to engender carelessness on the part of these
cases of proved mistake on the part of the Company's employés.
Trusting that these suggestions will meet with due consideration, and
I am, questing the favour of an early reply,
atter.
Gentlemen,
Your most obedient Servant,
(Signed,) P. RYRIE,
Chairman.
THE EASTERN EXTENSION AUSTRALASIA AND CHINA TELEGRAPH COMPANY, LIMITED. 66, Old Broad Street, London, E. C. 22nd June 1876.
SIR-I have the pleasure to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the It feels assured that their adoption would 8th March last, and, in reply, would beg to state that this Company is of a
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