THE CABLE SERVICE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10265, 24 January 1895, Page 2

THE CABLE SERVICE.

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. HEI.BOUBNB, January 23.

Thß Argue, in a leading article, says:— " The continued interruption of telegraphic communication is 'becoming intolerable. It would be absurd to blame the South Anstralian Government, but still if we are liable to be isolated in this way by the fracture of a land line the demand foi the laying of a Pacific cable will become' irresistible. That cable would cost much more than we are likely to be able to afford for many years to come, but the work will have to be undertaken without delay, cost what it may, unless we can have the assurance of constant communication by existing rentes. The present situation is a reflection on Australian statesmanship. At great expense the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company laid' three cables to the northern coast, but though these were met at the landing points by land lines only one of the latter is serviceable. A question which the Postal Conference will have to carefully consider is what can be done with such unproductive expenditure. Before the conference enters on the wider and more speculative region of the Pacific cable proposal, a practical course would be to afford Western Australia assistance for a fixed term to enable it to bring its lines up to the standard."

Sydney, January 2S,

Owing to the bad weather in New South Wales only one wire is available to the southern colonies, and as a consequence the foreign cable messages, delayed by the recent interruption on the Fort Darwin ..land lines, can only filter through very slowly. ; Adelaide, January 23. Communication on ths Port Darwin line was restored at 2 o'clock this afternoon.

The Port Darwin line, after restoration betwean Oodnadatta and Sfcrangway's Creek, failed almost immediately between William Creek and Oodnadatta, and communication is again completely interropted.