69

Besides, the whole aim of Australia is to obtain an independent and duplicate line. It would be impossible to do so if the Pacific cable were to go via New Zealand, as the cable between Australia and that colony is owned and controlled by the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company. In fact, some of the Governments interested have always informed me they would not join in any guarantee without a promise was given that the Pacific Cable Company would not enter into any joint purse arrangement with any other company, their aim being a complete and independent line. In conclusion, will you please let me add, the company and capitalists I represent and am associated with cannot be held responsible for the various statements that find their way into the Press, as it is quite possible some of these statements may have been inspired by secret allies of some rival telegraph company. I can only again give you this further assurance —the intention is, as it always has been, to continue on with this work, section by section, until the Northern terminus is reached, and that it is impossible to get through the Pacific Ocean with a cable without touching at some place outside the sphere of British influence, and that all Governments interested, and joining in this joint purse guarantee, will, as I have always informed you, " stand on the same ground floor." I may further add, the first section of this cable now under review, about " 1,020 miles," is now being made, at the rate of about seventeen miles a day, and I hope to have it laid in the first week in August next. I shall be glad if you will bring this letter under the notice of the Postal and Telegraph Conference now sitting. I have the honour to be, sir, Your most obedient servant, AUDLEY COOTE. P.S. —To guide you as to distances and to the lengths of cables, in one stretch (that we do not fear), and they will be worked on the duplex system, the following are the distances in nautical miles, allowing 7 per cent, for slack : — Sandy Cape, Queensland to Noumea ... ... ... 740+ 51 = 791 Noumea to Levuka, Fiji 740+ 51 ss 791 •Levuka, Fiji, to Apia, Samoa ... ... ... ... 640+ 45 = 685 Samoa to Hawaii, via Faning Island, the stretch of cable 2,259 + 158 = 2,417 *Hawaii to Vancouver, about 2,500 + 175 = 2,675 Total 7,359

* From Hawaii to San Erancisco the distance is i!, 160 miles.

APPENDIX E.

NOTICE PAPER.

TUESDAY, 21 MARCH, 1893. Notices of Motion — Second Cable Eoute. The Hon. J. G. Ward to move, — That, in the opinion of this Conference, the time has arrived when a second cable route should be established, via the Pacific to Vancouver, touching at such places en route as may be hereafter agreed upon. Canadian Postal Service. The Hon. J. G. Ward to move, — That this Conference considers it desirable to negotiate for a Canadian Pacific Postal Service. The United States and the San Francisco Mail Service. The Hon. J. G. Ward to move, — That this Conference directs a protest to be sent to the Postmaster-General, Washington, regretting the continued non-participation of the United States in the matter of the Subsidy to the present San Francisco Mail Service, and also directs his attention to the excessive overland transit rates between San Francisco and New York, and respectfully requests him to urge the Pacific Eailway Company to give more favourable terms.

WEDNESDAY, 22 MARCH, 1893. 4. Consideration of continuance of Cable Guarantee with Cable Company. 5. Eeport from Committee of Electric Light and Tramways. Notices of Motion — Second Cable Eoute. The Hon. J. G. Ward to move, — That, in the opinion of this Conference, the time has arrived when a second cable route should be established, via the Pacific to Vancouver, touching at such places en route as may bo hereafter agreed upon. Canadian