TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION WITH TIRI.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 4290, 21 February 1884, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION WITH TIRI.

Completo Success of the Cable-laying Operations.

Captain Gray, of the Government steamer Stella, wbich arrived in harbour last evening, reports that the laying of tho cable from the island of Tiritiri to the mainland at Whangaparoa,hasbeen successfully com. pleted. Tho Stella loft here on Monday afternoon last, having on board the cable and all appliances. Dr. Lemon, who had come up from Wellington to personally supervise the operation, and Mr Orchiston, tlio District Inspector of Telegraphs, were also on board. The cablo is the balance of tho new Cook Strait's cable laid a fow years ago from Wanganui to Pippin Island, and it is four and ahalf miles long. Tho apparatus used compiised a powerful cable wheel and break, the same appliances as wero used in tho laying of the several cables between the North and South Islands. Nothing was done on Monday, as by the time tho vessel had reached Tiri it was found to be too late to make a start. Operations were, however, commenced on Tuesday morning ono end of the line being landed at Tiri, The route taken was round Whangaparoa Point, about a»mile off, so as to avoid the jagged rocks in that vicinity, and thence into the large sandy bay near the Wade. The operation 'of laying the cable occupied three hours, but tho landing of the Whangaparoa end occupied a considerable amount of timo. The weight of tho cable is^22£ tons—about five tons to the mile. Thisroutehadbeencarefullyßurveyed by Captain Gray, the greatest depth of of water being 16 fathoms midway between Whangaparoa and Tiri. The average foundings were from 10 to 12 fathoms. We have been requested to caution masters of vessels, in anchoring off Whangaparoa Point, to pc careful to keep well out, as by* •fouling the cable great damage may" be done. As our readers are doubtless aware, the Telegraph Department had already laid the landline between Whangaparoa and the Hot Springs. The length of this line is 13. miles. The telephone will be used between Tiri and Waiwera, and the telegraph from thence to Auckland. Dr. - Lemon tested the cable before leaving, and found that it is working well.