Our Cable Communications. 
By Saml. Vyle, Government Electrician. 
HE West Indian in London desirous of tele- 
graphing to Demerara finds himself, according 
to Whitaker's Almanack 1888 , privileged to 
pay the very highest rate per word that is known there. 
For the sum of two-pence per word, he can wire his 
orders to Belgium, and for a single half-penny more he 
may communicate with France. The three-penny rate is 
enjoyed by both Germany and Holland ; whilst Algeria, 
Denmark, and Norway, only seek for an additional half- 
penny. Austria, Italy, and Spain, are within telegraphic 
reach for four-pence-half-penny ; whilst Gibraltar, and 
Portugal, require but another penny. Far-off New 
Zealand, however, claims the aristocratic fee of " half-a- 
guinea;" but it is reserved for gold-producing British 
Guiana, to contribute the almost prohibitive rate of 
fourteen shillings per word, or three shillings and sixpence 
more than New Zealand, notwithstanding the fa6l that 
its distance from London is nearly ten thousand miles 
less. 
Under such circumstances the question arises, " How 
can such things be ? " The world's news, as it is under- 
stood or known in London, is considered to be the latest, 
and most accurate, of any part of the globe ; and it is 
daily transmitted, far and near, by the various Telegraph 
and Cable Companies. The political changes which are 
constantly taking place so very largely affect the general 
commercial interests of the whole civilized world, that 
