SUBMARINE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH

H.—No. 5.

8

enclosed copy of correspondence, &c, relating to the subject of a Submarine Telegraph Cable to connect New Zealand with Australia. I have, &c, W. Geay, The Charman, Telegraph Cable Committee. (for Secretary).

Messrs. Haet and Buckley to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. g IE Wellington, 20th September, 1872. Wo have received a letter from Audley Coote, Esq., Agent for " The Tasmanian Main Line Railway Company (Limited)," informing us that he has forwarded by last mail to Julius Vogel, Esq., late Treasurer of this Colony, specimens of the proposed telegraph cable to connect New Zealand and Australia, and certain proposals in reference thereto, as to construction, &c. Copies of our client's powers will bo forwarded to us by next mail, after which we will submit same for your consideration. We are instructed to inform you that a power of attorney will be sent to ourselves, enabling us to act in Mr. Coote's absence in reference to any question which may arise in connection with this business, without referring the same to London. Should our client receive any encouragement from the Government, he will be prepared to visit Now Zealand at once, and treat personally with your Government. With regard to railways, our client informs us that it was understood between himself and the late Government, that the Company which he represents would have the contract for the construction of parts of these works. Twelve engineers from England and America, men of considerable experience, are now employed by the Company in Tasmania, and our client will bo prepared to send to Now Zealand some of those gentlemen to survey every line for a contract of not less than £250,000. They have already introduced into the country a considerable number of immigrants from England, and would no doubt do the same as regards New Zealand, should tho Government look favourably on the scheme. We shall be glad to hear the views of the Government of the points submitted, in order that we may communicate with Mr. Coote as quickly as possible. We have, &c, Haet and Buckley.

The Agent-Geneeal to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sib,— 25th July, 1872. _ I have the honor to transmit herewith a proposal from Messrs. Siemens Brothers, Telegraph Engineers, for the laying of a submarine cable between New Zealand and Australia. I have, &c, I. E. Featheeston, Agent-General.

Siemens Beothees to the Agent- Geneeal. Sl E) _ 3, Great George Street, Westminster, S.W., 24th July, 1872. As we understand from what passed at our Mr. Carl Siemens interview with you on the 17th instant, that the Government of New Zealand is desirous of seeing telegraphic communication established between New Zealand and Australia, we beg to inform you that we are prepared to undertake the formation of a Company to carry out this line of telegraph if the Government of New Zealand will guarantee to tho shareholders a net interest of 6 per cent, per annum on the capital required, which we estimate at £330,000, such interest to be guaranteed from the date of the successful submersion of the cable, and the guarantee to remain in force during1 such periods as the cable shall be in working order, reasonable time as well being allowed for executing repairs. Should the net profits earned by the Company in any one year exceed 6 per cent, on the capital invested, we propose that the Government of New Zealand should participate in the profits to the extent of 25 per cent, of such excess over 6 per cent. We make out that the direct distance between Cape Farewell and Sydney (which we presume would be the places chosen), is 1,100 nautical miles, and for this distance the supply of 1,330 nautical miles of cable would be required. We should propose to leave to future arrangement the selection of landing places for the cable, it being understood that if, owing to alteration of route, the length of cable required were increased more than ten miles, the capital on which guaranteed interest is asked would have to be increased proportionately. We annex a specification (A) of the cable which we propose should be laid. The working speed of such a cable, if the best instruments at present known were used, would be theoretically sixteen words per minute, and practically ten to eleven words per minute. For an increase in the cost of the cable of £6,000, the speed would be increased to eighteen words per minute aa tho theoretical and twelve words per minute as the practical speed, and in that case the core given under specification (B) would be used. We should propose that the Company should commence with a tariff of one shilling per word, leaving any alteration to further agreement. We have, &c, Siemen Beothees.

Specification A. The Core to be the same throughout. The Conductor to consist of seven copper wires laid up together with" a strand weighing 100 lbs. per nautical mile (2,029 yards), conductivity of the wire to be equal to'at least 90 per cent, of that of pure copper.