3 
doubless prove of great value * to shipping 
interests. From that point to Cape Fan 
Diemen, at the north-western extremity of 
Melville Island. From Cape Van Diemen to 
Coepang ; and thence to Cape Sedano at the 
eastern end of Java. This route would divide 
the submarine cable into sections of convenient 
length. 
A second route may next be suggested by 
continuing the land line already mentioned 
onwards from the Albert to Port Essington, 
and thence by submarine cable to Coepang and 
Cape Sedano. 
The relative cost of the two lines now pro- 
posed would be as follows : — 
1st Route. — Submarine Section. 
miles 
From Cape Sedano to Coepang ... ... 590 
,, Coepang to Cape Van Diemen ... 420 
„ Cape Yan Dam n to Cape Wessel.. 420 
„ Cape Wesssl to the Albert 500 
Total ... 1930 
1930 nautical miles at £375 per mile, £723,750 
Land Section. 
From Rockhampton to the Albert, 
1200 miles, at £100 per mile ... £120,000 
Total cost ... £843,750 
2nd Route. — Submarine Section. 
miles 
Cape Sedano to Coepang 590 
Coepang to Port Essington 525 
1115 
1115 nautical miles at £375 per mile, £418,125 
Land Section. 
From Rockhampton to the Albert 
1200 miles at £100 per mile ... £120,000 
From the Albert to Port Essington, 
900 miles, at £100 per mile ... 90,000 
Total cost ... £628,125 
On comparing the totals just mentioned with 
the estimated cost of the corresponding line 
proposed by Mr. Gisborne, it will be found that 
a saving can thus be effected of £256,250 by 
adopting the first route; and of £471,875 by 
choosing the second. 
The cost per mile, including all expenses, is 
taken at the same rate, for ihe submarine cable, 
as that stated to be necessary by Mr. Gisborne, al- 
though a considerable reduction might possibly 
be made without impairing the efficiency of the 
line. For the land sections, the estimated cost 
of £100 per mile should be amply sufficient, 
both for construction of the line, and the erec- 
tion of stations, including instruments, &c. 
In passing across the unsettled northern dis- 
tricts a matter for consideration suggests itself 
as to the description of telegraph line that might 
prove most suitable to the peculiar nature of the 
country. It would probably be advisable to use 
posts of greater strength than those ordinarily 
employed, and wire also of considerably in- 
creased thickness, but few other alterations in 
the present mode of construction would be re- 
quired. Only one wire is necessary to work our 
instruments according to the Morse system, but 
it would be desirable to have two wires carried 
along the line of posts, so that one might be 
devoted exclusively to British and Foreign busi- 
ness, the second wire being reserved for local 
telegrams and bi siness of a department I 
nature. In the event of accident to one of the 
wires, the service rendered by the other might 
in many instances be invaluable, while the addi- 
tional cost of construction would be compara- 
tively trifling. 
The repairing and working stations should 
consist of strongly -built stockades, in order to 
afford sufficient protection from the hostile 
natives. In addition to the electricians required 
to work the lines, two European non-commis- 
sioned officers and three or four native troopers 
should be placed at each of these stockades. 
Those men could be trained easily to repair the 
wires when broken, and render general asistance 
in other matters. In the event of accident to 
the line, one-half of the men could at once be 
sent out on repairing duty, while the rest re- 
mained at the station for its protection. 
In every case telegraph lines should, where 
practicable, follow the course of main roads, 
or, where none exist, at least take the direction 
properly surveyed and marked out for future 
roads. Clearing away the growing timber 
would in the latter case be an immediate means 
of aiding ordinary traffic, and the presence of a 
protective force, such as suggested, would of 
course check the inroads of the aborigines, and 
add to the general security of the inhabitants in 
those unsettled districts. It should, therefore, 
be borne in mind that by the extension of tele- 
graph lines roads are opened, and a large pro- 
portion of the cost of construction is so much 
money spent upon their formation. This view 
of the subject escapes the attention of many. 
Queensland has everything to gain from the 
opening up of her rich northern territory, and 
may therefore be* expected to aid largely in 
carrying out an Anglo- Australian line. Rut 
independently of this, although the cost of con- 
struction is considerable, the money required 
