THE NEW CABLE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3685, 21 November 1912, Page 5

THE NEW CABLE.

EXPECTED TO REACH N.Z COAST ON SATURDAY.

[PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM] . AUCKLAND, Nov. 20. The laying of the new direct cable from Sydney to Auckland is now proceeding, and the cable steamer Silverton is expected to reach the New Zealand coast on Saturday. The Postmaster-General (Hon. R. H. Rhodes) forwarded the following cablegram of congratulation to-day:— ‘ l Postrn a ste r- G e n er a 1, Co m mon - ■wealth of Australia, Sydney.—l send you heartiest congratulations on the commencement of such an important work as the new cable between Australia and New Zealand. ■The additional facilities it will give will, I feel sure, be a step to bind together our countries, not only in business connection, but also as links in the great- Imperial chain.— R. Heaton Rhodes, PostmasterGeneral, New Zealand.”

LUNCHEON AT SYDNEY. (Received Nov. 20, 9.25 n.m.) SYDNEY. Nov. 20. . The Pacific Cable Board invited the leading business and professional men to a luncheon to-day at the Town Hall to commemorate the commencement of tlio laying of the cable from Sydney to Auckland. Mr Millward, the Board’s manager in the Pacific, presided and the attendance included Lord Trefle (N.iS.AY. Minister for Education), and Admiral King-Hall. Lord Chelmsford received two specimens of the cable mounted in silver and set in an oak case. He said the event was of considerable Imperial importance and was another step in the direction of that Imperial co-operation which all held close at their hearts.

Mr Fraser (Postmaster-General) toad cables of congratulations from Hon. R. Heaton Rhodes (N.Z. Post-master-General) and the Chairman of the Board in London. Mr Fraser stated that in 1904 the words transmitted from Australia numbered 922,766, while in 1911 they totalled 2,131,261, an increase of 150 per cent. The Government did not intend to let this he the limit in the direction of connecting ut> the scattered proportions of the Empire, but- their determination was to have a direct line cntirelv State-owned.