FROM ENGLAND TO AUSTRALIA IN SIXTEEN DAYS.

Inangahua Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1271, 14 May 1883, Page 3

FROM ENGLAND TO AUSTRALIA IN SIXTEEN DAYS.

(From the Melbourne Argus.) Not many years have gone by since a passage of 50 days from London to Melbourne by steamer was considered quick work. Mails by way of Brindisi and tlie - uez Canal are now delivered sometimes in a little over 30 days, but, if certain projects which have been discussed in England lately should be cavtied into effect — and no one can say that they will not be— it will be possible to cover the distance in not much more than half the time. It is said, in fact, that a route can be found by which London and Port Darwin may be brought within a fortnight's journey or so of each other, and the completion of a return trip from England to Australia within the month may be reckoned as one of the possibilities of the future. At the first blush such ideas may seem wild and visionary ; but when the subject is investigated it is found that the thing is not so improbable after all. The basis of the scheme is the establishment of a regular chain of railway communication between Europe and the southern parts of Asia. The feasibility of such a work has heen shown by men of scientific acquirements and practical knowledge, such as General Ohesney, Sir William Andrew, Sir John Macneil, General Sir Frederick Goldsmid, and others. As to the rest, the question is simply one of ways and means. The subject, which has now been once more brought under the notice of the British public, this time by an old colonist of Victoria, Mr William Campbell, who was for many years a member of the North-Western province, and is now on a visit to the Home country. In a pamphlet entitled " India in Six and Australia' in Sixteen Days," Mr Campbell gives a clear, full exposition of the subject. He states the facts plainly and concisely, noticing all the essential points, and avoiding unnecessary detail. Tho scheme briefly stated is to construct a railway, with connecting femes, via Constantinople, Asia Minor, Persia, India, Burmah, and the Straits Settlements to Singapore. The distance from London to Singapore by this route is estimated at 8100 miles, which would be covered, it is calculated, in about 10 days. The steaming time between Singapore and Port Darwin (2100 miles) is about six days, so that the whole journey from England to Australia would occupy no more than 16 days. Railway communication with Port Darwin having been established, as no doubt it will be, all the Australian capitals would be brought within 20 clays of London, possibly less.