56 On the Electric Telegraph behoeen England and India. 



shipped 500 bales of a certain class of cotton," and authorises his 

 agent to sell at once on the water. This is done, and a reply is 

 sent to the Madras shipper, who, instead of waiting weeks and 

 months for the return of post, repeats the operation, knowing 

 the fate of the first consignment. Therefore, he can do a much 

 larger and safer business with less funds. So that a manufac- 

 turer in England could order his cotton or silk from India or 

 China, and could be advised of the purchase and shipment, and 

 have the satisfaction of knowing he has been drawn upon for the 

 amount all within a few days. 



The banking business between India and Europe is now very 

 largely conducted by telegraph. Advices are received of remit- 

 tances and drafts to be provided for very often several weeks in 

 advance of the arrival of the mails. 



I could multiply examples of the uses of the telegraph ad 

 infinitum, but think it would scarcely come within the province 

 of this paper, so will now conclude with a short description of the 

 kind of cable I would recommend for the Australian section ; T 

 have here a very good sample as to general manufacture and 

 strength, but would prefer that the copper conductor should be 

 not less than 250 lbs. to the nautical mile, the gutta-percha and 

 Chatterton's compound for the insulation 300 lbs. to the mile, the 

 outer coating-wires could be increased or diminished in thickness 

 according to the depth of water, which in some places varies 

 considerably — (vide soundings taken by H. M. S. Salamander). 



The outside covering consists of two layers of a bituminous 

 compound, composed of mineral pitch silica, and Stockholm tar, 

 with two servings of hemp or jute, the whole passed under heavy 

 rollers when in a plastic state. 



I will now explain how the through circuits by automaton re- 

 peaters are worked, so that a new and independent circuit is 

 brought into operation, forming sections of from 600 to 1000 

 miles. I have endeavoured to place this matter before the meet- 

 ing in as simple a form as possible, with a hope that it will fur- 

 ther a work which I have lost no opportunity in promoting, and 

 trust that it may be taken up with that spirit which the people 

 of this coleny have constantly displayed in pushing forward 

 reproductive and useful undertakings, such as railways and 

 telegraphs. 



