THE TELEGRAPH BREAK-DOWN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10420, 19 April 1897, Page 4

THE TELEGRAPH BREAK-DOWN.

; The frequency with which telegraphic communication between Auckland and the rest of the colony is interrupted has become a bye-word, and is a standing reproach to a Government which prides itself upon being the most enterprising and go-ahead that New Zealand lias ever possessed. On the present occasion the, breakdown is due to calamitous floods in the Hawke's Bay district, which besides causing enormous damage to property and involving a large number of settlers in ruin have been, it is feared, attended by lamentable loss of life. The sympathy of the whole colony will be spontaneously extended to the sufferers by the disaster. At the same time we hope that the deplorable catastrophe will at last stir the Government to take steps which- will prevent the possibility of Auckland being again cut off from all communication with the rest of the world for three or four days, This could easily be done by erecting a telefraph wire between New Plymouth and aupo, which would provide an alternative route, and relieve the pressure of work on the East Coast lines. The cost would not be great, but whatever the expense the work is absolutely necessary, and ought to be done. We hope to see the Auckland Chamber of Commerce take this important question in hand promptly and energetically. A conference of all local bodies and business men and the district members should be held as early as possible, and steps taken to bring pressure to bear upon the Government to place our means of telegraphic communication upon a reasonably safe and adequate footing.