NEW AUCKLAND-SYDNEY CONNECTION.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13579, 21 November 1912, Page 5

NEW AUCKLAND-SYDNEY CONNECTION.

A COMMEMORATIVE FUNCTION

(Received Nov 20, 9.45 p.m.) Sydney, Nov 20. The Pacific Cable Board entertained leading business and professional men at a luncheon to-day at the Town Hall to commemorate tho laying of tho cablo from Sydney to Auckland. Mr F. W. Milward, tho Board's manager in the Pacific, presided, and tho attendance included Lord Cholmsford, the Lord Mayor, tho Federal Postmas-ter-General, Mr Frasor, and tho Hon J. L. Trcflo.

Lord Chelmsford received as a momento two specimens of cable mounted in silver and set in an oak case. Ho said tho event was one of considerable Imperial importance, and was another step in the direction of that Imperial co-operation which they all hold close to their hearts.

Mr Fraser, Postmaster-General, read cables of congratulation from the Hon R. Heaton Rhodes, New Zealand Post-master-General, and the chairman of tlio Board in London.

Mr Eraser stated that in 1904 the words transmitted from Australia numbered 922,766, while in 1911 they totalled 2,131,261, an increase of 150 per cent. Tho Government did not intend to let this bo tho limit in the direction of connecting tho scattered portions of tho Empire, but- its determination was to have a direct line entirely State-own-ed.