THE TRANS-AUSTRALIAN TELEGRAPH.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3567, 24 June 1872, Page 3

THE TRANS-AUSTRALIAN TELEGRAPH.

(.From the South Australian Register, June,!.)

We have been favoured with the annexed copies of telegrams, received by the mail from Gallo, giving information as to the progress of the Northfcm Territory sections of the Overland Telegraph. The information they contain is of the most gratifying character, and justifies the belief that in the course of a few days communication across the Continent will be established. On May 10 the line was in working order between Palmerston and a point 300 miles inland, and but for a comparatively small gap between two sections, messages could have been sent over a much longer stretch of wire. According to the latest telegram, which awkwardly enough' bears no date, but was evidently despatched from Port Darwin about the 10th of May, the superintendent of telegraphs calculates that by the middle of the present month of June not more than 150 miles would remain unconstructed.

Mr Todd to Chief Secretary. Roper River, April s.—Bengal sails to-day for Port Darwin. Knuckey arrived at the Roper from Attack creek, March 7 j visited on the way M‘Lachlan and Rutt’s parties, but missed Burton, being unable to follow his tracks owing to boggy country. He was unable to cross the Strangways for a month, owing to heavy floods. Dine neorly completed to lat. 15deg. 30min. Knuckey takes charge of Rutt’s section. Weather now fine, and largo number of teams have left. King started to establish express service. Work will be pushed forward with all vigour. Have purchased 1000 more sheep from Milner to save cartage of rations; 300 left M'Lachlan’s camp for Burton’s in February, all well. Shall be at Port Darwin middle of April. Mr Todd to Mr Cunningham. Port Darwin, May 10.—Telegrams received. All well. Start overland from Roper lat June, reach Attack creek end of month, and shall push on. Mr Todd to Chief Secretary. Port Darwin.—Arrived at Port Darwin May 9. Long voyage. Leave next week. Purchased 50 tons coal from the Alexandra. Line working well from Port Darwin south 300 miles. Will be completed to lat. 17deg., 430 miles, in five weeks, leaving gap of only 150 miles, which will be covered in two days by horse express. Strong force concentrated. Forty-five teams left Roper. Knuckey taken charge Rutt’s section. All well.