2 
The Dutch lines at present connect Singa- I 
pore with Batavia and the east end of Java, ! 
the starting point of the line last mentioned, | 
and with which the Australian colonies are more I 
immediately concerned. 
It is understood that either the Indian or 
the Imperial Government will carry out the 
first section, from .Rangoon to Singapore. I 
Having written to the Hon. the Colonial Secre- 
tary, shortly after his departure from Queensland 
for England last year, explaining my views 
upon the matter now brought before you, 
I have in reply received a letter stating that 
he had “ communicated with the Under Se- 
cretary of State for India upon the subject.” 
He mentions “ that at present there is a ques- 
tion respecting the section between .Rangoon 
and Singapore, whether fhis is to be at the ex- 
pense of the Treasury or India.” 
The promoters have applied to the French 
Government tor a subsidy in connection with 
the second section mentioned from Singapore 
to Hong Kong via Saigon. 
The Australian Colonies are now again asked 
to assist in carrying out the third section, from 
Java to Brisbane, and thus complete a link in 
the chain of this vast telegraphic system. 
Since Mr. Gisborne’s scheme was last before 
the public, it has been found necessary to re- 
commend the use of a much heavier cable than 
that formerly suggested, and for this purpose a 
capital of £i, 100, 000 would he necessary to ! 
meet the expense of the Java-Brisbane portion, 
3024 nautical miles. 
A question here arises as to the advisability 
of carrying a submarine line, of this length, and 
at such a great outlay, completely round our 
northern and eastern coast to Brisbane. It 
certainly appears to be not only unnecessary, 
but very undesirable also in a pecuniary point 
of view, seeing that much more than a third of 
the sura asked for may be saved by construct- 
ing a line partially overland. This, however, 
though a matter of moment, is not by any 
means the greatest advantage to be gained by 
adopting an overland route. With such a 
length of submarine ‘ cable as that proposed, 
serious delays must reasonably be anticipated, 
while land lines can at the same time be much 
more easily kept in constant working order, and l 
defects or breakages speedily repaired, thus ( 
tending to keep up a greater certainty and rapid- j 
ity in communication. 
The highest advantage, however, arising from i 
the adoption of an overland line, and one of pa- j 
ramount imporfance to Queensland, would be , 
the rapidity thus induced in the opening up of | 
our already prosperous colony for further set- | 
tiement. The result would be a speedy influx 1 
I of population and capital, and the occupation 
of the vast tracts of rich country recently dis- 
I covered by various explorers. The Electric Te- 
i legraph, hitherto considered as a valuable auxi- 
liary to civilisation, would in this case become 
its pioneer, leading to results greater than the 
most sanguine may even, at present, anticipate. 
| The course of this overland line naturally lies 
through Queensland, and in such a worthy 
undertaking we may reasonably look for en- 
couragement and aid from the adjoining colo- 
nies, should such assistance be necessary. 
It is anticipated that our telegraphic lines 
will very shortly be in operation to Rockhamp- 
ton, a distance in a northerly direction of about 
400 miles from Brisbane, and there can be 
little doubt that Queensland will quickly extend 
her lines still further, about 400 miles, to Fort 
Denison, the most northern occupied settlement 
in this colony. By referring to a map it will 
be observed that, starting in a north-westerly 
direction from this point, a line of telegraph 
could be with facility carried forward to the 
Albert River, or any other desired position at 
the south of the Gulf of Carpentaria, a distance 
of about 800 miles ; keeping somewhat in the - 
direction of M‘Kinlay’s route, but at the same 
time avoiding the bad country he mentions 
having encountered. The Surveyor-General of 
our colony, who has passed over the greater 
portion of the proposed track, informs me that 
! there are no peculiar difficulties arising from 
j the nature of the country, that may not be 
overcome by a little energy and perseverence, 
in the construction of a telegraph line. Pro- 
tection from the hostile natives would, of 
course, be required, even after the establish- 
ment of telegraphic communication, till this 
portion of the colony was fully opened up and 
settled. Such protection could be easily afforded 
by a proper number of Native Police, in charge 
of European officers, placed at each telegraph- 
repairing station, within distances of seventy or 
eighty miles. The selection, however, of such a 
position as the Albert, for the point of depar- 
ture of a submarine cable to India via Java, is, 
of course, a'matter for future consideration, and 
some other route may probably be proposed ; 
I but the direction indicated would certainly tend 
i much to the rapid opening up and final settle- 
ment of the northern portion of Australia, 
i including the rich country south of Carpentaria 
I discovered by Landsborongh upon his late 
i expedition. Supposing that the vicinity of the 
1 Albert should be chosen as the point of depar- 
[ ture for the submarine line, a route crossing 
! two of the larger islands at the south of the 
j Gulf might be adopted, terminating in the first 
instance at Cape Weasel, a station that would 
