Proceedings. | 501 
The total lengths of land and submarine Telegraph respectively would be 
nearly the same by either route. 
The preference must be determined by points of detail, which can be 
investigated in the event of there being a prospect of the carrying out of 
the scheme. : 
Yours faithfully, 
(Signed) W. J. Macquorn Ranxine, 
[cory.] 
VAN DIEMEN’S LAND ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH. 
59, St. Vincent-street, Glasgow, 
10th February, 1853. 
Dear Sin,—Since reporting on this subject on the 29th ultimo, I haye 
continued to make enquiries respecting the price of wire, and find it can 
now be had mueh lower than my original estimate of 40s. per cwt. I find 
that from information I have received to-day, that No. 8 galvanized tele- 
graph wire, in quantities not less than ten tons, can now, and for three 
months hence, be delivered at Liverpool for £33 per ton; so that, 
including freight and other expences, its cost will probably not exeeed 
£39 to £40 per ton. This will diminish the estimate of the cost of 
materials by about £1 per mile, 
SUBMARINE TELEGRAPH. 
I find from the number and extent of the islands in Bass’s Straits, that 
the length of the submarine telegraph required to connect Van Diemen’s 
Land with the Australian Continent would be only 120 miles, instead of 
150 miles, as formerly calculated; the extent of land telegraph would be 
increased by a corresponding amount; so that the total length of tele 
between Launceston, Sydney, Melbourne and Geelong would be :— 
Miles. 
sevveseee 120 
Liatidisreriveretetssisess. stevet raster nay (4 () 
graph 
AUbimarinGyesteevscsrsterestiees 
Totalers essen 2.700 ee 1160 
I am, dear Sir, 
Yours faithfully, 
(Signed) W. J. Macquorn Ranxinz, 
A conversation ensued on the Report, in which Mr, Fraser, Capt. Young, 
Col. Last, Mr. Dobson, Mr. J. L. Burnett, Mr. Boot, &c., took part; the 
great advantages to the community of an Electric Telegraph being fully 
admitted, and the line from Cape Portland through the chain of islandg 
in Bass’s Straits to Wilson’s Promontory being considered the hest ; 
while some doubts were expressed of the necessary capital and enter- 
prise being found to carry out the project. It was observed by the 
Secretary, that magnetic wires are now being stretched over British 
