F.—3a

29

283. But you do not wish to deprive South Australia of the right she has established to make that line ?—I have no wish to deprive South Australia of anything. I think she deserves great credit for what she has done. . , .. . 284. By Mr. Mem.—l assume you mean this: that you think it necessary, m addition to duplication of cable, that there should be a duplication of land lines ?—Most decidedly. _ 285. And you think that that duplication might go by way of the Queensland line termmatmg at the Norman River ?—That would be the best route. _ 286. And you make that suggestion upon the understanding that the connection between JNormantown and Port Darwin should be made at the expense of the southern colonies ?—Yes. 287. By Sir James Wilson,— You think there is sufficient business to support two distinct cable companies ?—At the present time, no; but were the charges reduced, I believe the business would be considerably increased. I would even go further, and recommend the colonies, instead of subsidizing mail steamers, to subsidize ocean cables. , . , , • j c t, • 288. That is not the question at all ?—One should be substituted for the other ; instead ot subsidizing mail steamers, subsidize cables heavily, and reduce the charges to a minimum 289 Do you think there would be sufficient business arise by reducing the cable charges to one-halt the existing rates to maintain those two distinct companies ?—I think the business would be considerably increased. . , .„ . , , , 290. Would it pay. Could the companies exist with a reduction of halt the rates upon the cables if there were two distinct companies ?— Not unless they were subsidized. 291. Each subsidized, of course ?—Each. . 292 Do you think it would be cheaper to subsidize one than to subsidize two distinct companies tor the same purpose ?—I think the most equitable way would bo to subsidize the two companies. I think the present company deserves every encouragement. . 293. Do you know what loss it would be to the present company—the cable company—if their charges were reduced to one-half ?—I do not know their revenue at present. 294. By Mr. Burns.— Are you aware that it is said by the company that a penny a word would be a loss of £1,000 a year revenue to the company?—l have heard so. _ _ - _ 295. Supposing a contract was made with this company, do you know would it be m their power to get the prices reduced right through-could they control the other lines ?-They could only control their ' m 296. Could any competing company reduce tho charges right through ?—They could reduce the charges between Australia and India. rp 297. You then say the business would increase considerably by the reduction of the charges, lo what extent do you think the increase would go ?-I could not say. It is impossible to answer that question. 298. I understand you to say that you are in favor of a line by way of Normantown at the expense of the southern colonies ?-I am in favor of a line from Normantown via Macassar to Singapore and Bankok, in Siam, which could be connected by a short land line with Moulmem, the extremity of the British Indian g«t«£ Ig]and ? Abo t 330 m iles 300. Is any extension projected at the present time other than that required for cable purposes iThere was an amount placed upon tho Queensland estimates last year to extend to Thursday Island. 301. Irrespective of whether the cable is made or not?— Yes. 302. By Sir James Wilson.— -Your land line terminates at Normantown, on the Gulf ot Carpentaria?— Yes, and at Cooktown, upon the east coast. 303. How far is Normantown from the nearest point of tho trans-continental line by land ?-I do not know exactly, but I think about 650 miles. It may be less. . . Know exact * fa made> M you reco „d their being connected by land, or would you recommend a cable across the Gulf of Carpentaria to the Roper River ?- I recommend a cable from Normantown to the Roper River. 305. Across the Gulf ?—Across the Gulf. 306. How many miles do you think that is ?—Four hundred miles. 307 Why do you recommend that ?-There is a good bed for a cable, and the shores of Carpentaria aro very low, and liable to be submerged during the rainy season to some hundreds of miles perhaps^ 308. That is contemplating a land line?-Yes ; and in the event of interruptions it would be very CUlBorKi"Bges or rising ground upon which you could make that land line?-The high land is too far back from the coast. It is 100 miles back from Normantown. 3io. Do you think the bod of the Gulf of Carpentaria is adapted for a cable ?-Admirably adapted. It consists of mud and sand. 311. There is no coral reef ? —No. , asn m ., ao 312 By Mr. Mem.—What is the distance from Cooktown to Cape York ?—About 350 miles. 313' You gave as a reason why the southern colonies should contribute solely to the expense of connecting Normantown and Port Darwin that you thought Queensland had done already enough ; what ao you mean ?—I think tho southern colonies would reap the most benefit of the extension. 1 314 What do you mean by Queensland having done enough ?-I think Queensland has spent enough upon her line to Carpentaria. It was originally intended for international P^^ 315 By the Chairman.— How long is that lino ?-From Cardwell to the Gulf shore 400 miles. 316. Does it accommodate any colonial interests ?—lt does local interests. 317. It does ?-We should not have built a line at that time for other than international purpose 318. By Mr. Mein.—lt was not constructed with, a view to local interests whatever ?-JNot at all; 6ntk%^tZ^BJ^BL it now serve local purposes ?-It does; but the section beyond Cardwell does not pay. We lose about £3,000 a year. 320 Do you lose more upon that section than others i —xes. . 321. By the Chairman-Qo you think a few competing lines would make them pay ml th Co l oll y ?_We"are sending telegrams cheaper than any country in the world. We send 1,600 miles foi « shilling for ten words. It is perfectly absurd.

W. J. Cracknell, Esq., continued, 10th May 1878.