Proceedings. 499 
The submarine telegraphic cable for this purpose would cost at the pre- 
sent prices, including freight, about £100 per mile, and may probably be 
obtained for £80. It would consist of detached portions, stretching from 
island to island between Cape Portland and Wilson’s Promontory, and also 
of two small portions, each about a mile or a mile and a half long, crossing 
the inlets on each side of Philip Island; which appears to be a better route 
from Wilson’s Promontory to Melbourne than to follow the main land the P 
whole way. 
The total length of submarine telegraph required would be about 150 
miles, which would cost, including freight, from £12,000 to £15,000 
sterling for the cable. 
The cost of laying would consist principally of the hire of a small steam- 
boat for ten days or a fortnight. 
The length of land-telegraph required in connection with this line would 
be as follows : — 
MULES, 
Launceston to Cape Portland ....:......e0eceees some ARO 
Islands in the Straits, say ....... peru) rains sks teh » 20 
Wilson’s Promontory, by Philip’s Island, to Mel- 
DouriOaavtestecstetsesssrenatieriatserie rei t setter sere 180 
Melbourne to Sydney .... » 650 
Melbournetto:Geelonpe icsecssstesssssessessccseaceressees 60 
1010 
In the event of its being found desirable to lay some portion of these 
lines under ground, a light telegraphic cable might be used, similar to a 
submarine cable, but of about one-fourth part of the weight. 
The cost of this cable, delivered in Australia or Van Diemen’s Land 
may be estimated at about £25 per mile at existing prices. 
(Signed) W. J. Macquorn Rankine, 
C.E., F.R.S.E., FLRSS.A., &e. 
? 
59, St. Vincent-street, Glasgow, 
February 1853, 
[cory.] 
Van Diemen’s Lanp Evxorrte TeLecrarn. 
59, St. Vineent-street, Glasgow, 
19th February, 1853. 
Dear Sir,—Since writing my original report on this subject, and the 
letter which I subsequently addressed to you on the 10th instant, I have 
received information which enables me to fill up the blanks left for the 
cost of labour, and some other expenses, in my original Estimate. 
The sums, however, which I haye put down for these items in the Esti- 
