NEW DIRECT CABLE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3172, 24 August 1917, Page 6

NEW DIRECT CABLE

OFFICIAL CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES The new cable of the Eastern Extension Company from Wellington to Sydney was officially opened yesterday afternoon, and tho first message to go over it was sent, by the Postmaster-General, Siv Joseph Ward, to tho Acting-Premier of New South Wales. On Sir Joseph Ward's arrival at the cable station lie was mot by Mr. E. E. Black, superintendent of the company in Now Zealand, and conducted over the new operatingroom. Up to 3 p.m. communication with the outside world had been maintained over,tho old line to Wakapuaka but at that hour the'switch over won made, and work commenced over tho now cable.

The message Sir Joseph Ward sent to Mr. Fuller, tho Acting-Premier of New South Wales, was:—"ln sending you this, the first messago over the direct wire between Wellington and Sydney, I oxpress tho hope and belief that tho speedier communication thus provided by the enterprise of the Eastern Extension Company will justify all the expectations inspired by it. Undoubtedly it must bo of greatest value to our respective communities.—Ward, Postmaster-Gen-eral." .

To Mr. L. Webster, manager in Australasia of the Eastern Extension Company, Sir Joseph Ward sent the following:—"Please convey following to your directors. Heartily reciprocate the sentiments conveyed in jour message of 22nd instant. The opening to-day of direct communication from Wellington to Sydney marks an epoch in the progress of tho Eastern Extension Company. I feel sure it will add greatly to its usefulness to the public, and I trust the result to your company will be all you desire. I, too, cordially acknowledge the good relations hitherto existing between you and the Government, and I have no doubt equally mutually satisfactory relations will continue,—Ward."

Sir Joseph Ward also sent tho following to the Postmaster-General, Sydney:— "Congratulations on being so close to New Zealand. The' Eastern Extension Cable Company's direct from Wellington to Sydney marks .a great advance and one that productive of great •usefulness both to the pubTTc and the company. May the close touch now established ,bo the forerunner of still closer relationship between our two countries. —Ward."

Sir Joseph Ward received the following reply from Mr. Fuller, tho Acting-Pre-mier of New South Wales:—"l highly appreciate your action in sending me tho first message over the direct wire between Wellington and Sydney, which has been established through the enterprise of the Eastern Extension Company. I share with you the hope and belief that the speedier communication that is provided will justify all expectations, and will be of the, greatest value to our respective communities, w'hose interests are so interrelated."

The following message has come from Mr. W. AVebster, Commonwealth Post-master-Goneral:—"Heartily reciprocate congratulations on more complete cable connection between Sydney and Wellington. Such must tend to improve the relationship of Dominions and strengthen tho bonds of Empire."

' Sir Joseph Ward also received the following from Mr. Fuller, the manager in Australasia:—"The directors of the Eastern Extension Compnny avail themselves of the opportunity afforded by the opening of direct cable communication between Wellington and Sydney to express their appreciation of the satisfactory relations existing between your Government and the company, which they trust will long continue. They also feel that the increased facilities provided by this direct connection will be appreciated by the telegraphing public.and prove beneficial to. all concerned." .