FANNING ISLAND CABLE

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 196, 23 September 1914, Page 9

FANNING ISLAND CABLE

WORK OF REPAIR. Press Association. AUCKLAND, September 22. Preparations have been made by Mr Milward for the restoration of the Pacific cable service as soon as arrangements have been made that will enable the work to be undertaken. Since he has no explanation of the cause of the interruption, Mr Milward has based his plans on the presumption that the entire equipment of the station, including the buildings and instruments, will have to be replaced. He stated this evening that provided protection is given against further interference by the enemy, he will be able to restore communication'j within one month from the time of the departure of the equipment- and workmen from Auckland. .

Discussing the interruption of the cable from the commercial point of view, Mr Milwarfl remarked that the enforced idleness of, the cable was", in. every way most regrettable. Since the outbreak of the war the traffic had increased very greatly, and when the interruption occurred the cable was handling 24,000 words a day. The cable was being worked to its maximum capacity with no more than the normal delay. Though a slightly heavier traffic could have been sustained without serious delay in transmission, this rate was determined by the "slowest" section, the long span of 3458 nautical miles from Fanning Island to Bamfield Creek (Vancouver Island).