THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 772, 7 September 1853, Page 3

THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

It is with no ordinary pleasure that we are at last enabled to publish the following invitation for tenders (copied from yesterday’s Government Gazette) for a Telegraph to Wilfiamstown, and eventually to Geelong and the Heads :

The existing system of telegraphic communication between Meloourne and Williamstown being found inefficient for the increasiug requirements of the public service, Her Majesty's Government hereby invite Tenders, which will be received until twelve o’clock on Thursday, the Ist September, 1853, from parties willing to contract for the construction of a line of electrotelegraphic communication between tbs Government offices in Lonsdale-street, Melbourne, and Williamslown; the tenders to include the erection of all necessary offices, buildings, and appurtenances, removal of trees, &c., near the line. The whole to be completed, and in full operation within six months of the date of signing the contract, and to furnish security for its being kept in working order for the ensuing six months. Her Majesty’s Government are prepared to receive, either on the part of the Contractors, individually, or in a Company, Tenders for the lease of the line of Elec-tro-Telegraphic communication, under the following conditions ; J. AH public and official correspondence being transmitted. at all hours, free of charge. <2. The approval of the appointment of all offices and clerks entrusted with the actual working of the Telegraph to rest with the Governor in Council, the nomination to the office to be vested in the company. 3. The Crown to reserve to itself the power of, at any moment, on the ground of public safety', assuming entire control, charge and rnanagenn nt of the line ol Telegraph, compensating the company by the payment of its usual income during the period of such assumption. 4. The Company to enter into a bond for the due performance of its lease and contract. Her Majesty’s Government are further prepared to consider proposals, in aiding the extension of a line of electro-telegraphic communication to Geelong and to the Port Phillip Heads. Tenders to he sealed, and marked “ Contract for the Construction of Electric Telegraph,” to he deposited in tire tender-box at tire entrance to the Audit Office, and addressed to the Surveyor-General, to whom also application may be made for any additional information on the subject. This is the commencement of a system which lias produced incalculable benefits both in Europe and America, and which, before many years are past will unite the Australian colonies as closely as were, only a few years ago, any neighbouring counties in England*; and will socially, politically, and commercially, prodigiously facilitate their progress. Young America goes ahead pretty fast; hut ere long she will he forced to confess that Young Australia is not inclined to lag in the rear.