OUR OCEAN TELEGRAPH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 4460, 29 February 1876, Page 5 (Supplement)

OUR OCEAN TELEGRAPH.

To the Editor of the Herald. ; Sijj,—Schoolboys tell us that from Sydneytor Botany Bay to our Auckland North Cap© —northernmost poiut of New Zealand—is nearly a straight line ; from Sydney to our Manukau Heads, a slant; from Sydney to Nelson Bay, South Island, a great slant makiug. of course, a difference in the length of the line of a great mauy miles. Now, our ocean lino of telegraph is from Syduey to Nelson, South Island, costing, therefore, much more money than if to Hokiauga or to Manukau, and tlio extra cost seems to me to be not for a good, but for general disadvantage. Although it is truly late in the day for us to get the connection with tho great British telegraph liue, " better late than never," say we, and we are all alike mightily pleased with the consummation— positively elated. Nevertheless, it is politically fair and "lit and proper" for us to inquire, and to inquire earnestly and gravely, why the eastern bouudary at the South Island ? Commonly, everywhere, it is a first inquiry and chief consideration which is the nearest poiut of land, and even if a rocky islet were in the course of the liue, it would bo certainly and readily embraced; but here, strangely, extra expense must be incurred to go out of the way ! Auckland is shoved out and back several hundred miles, and tho South Island docs not thereby gain a mile. Is this for the greatest good? or is it an unwitting sop to the frouth ? Is it revenge on Auckland by a rejected member ? Really, I in common honor, politicians should cultivate the magnanimity of electing the best, although that same very best incidentally and necessarily promotes the benefit of adversaries. Will our Auckland newspapers now treat on this matter? I have just now heard that G. M. Kcod, the eloquent, and copious, and slashing satirist (not reasoner) is now about leaving Auckland town, so he cannot be expected to take up this matter for denuciation with his ordinary poignant, piercing, pungent wit. Most certainly the thing ought to be competently and calmly examined, and the exact arithmetical and geographical figures given, "and-no mistake."--! am, &c.,

W. E. Sadlkb.