The New Cable Scheme.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4872, 11 December 1883, Page 4

The New Cable Scheme.

MELBOURNE, Due. 10. The Intercolonial Convention, which concluded its sittings on Saturday, is regarded here as a great sncceßS. A grand banquet will be given to-night at the Houses of Parliament to the delegates of the variouß Colonies who are now in Melbourne, with Mr Service, the Premier, as host. The various resolutions proposed by Mr Whitaker and others, and agreed to at the Convention, have been transmitted to the Imperial Secretary of State for the Colonies by telegraph. Arrived, yesterday morning — Rotomabana, s.s., from the Bluff.

SYDNEY, Dec. 10. A sculling match, took place on Saturday between Beach and Triokett, when the former was victorious. The time waß very fast. Lord Rosebery waß entertained at a banquet on Saturday. Replying to the toast of his health, he expressed admiration of the Australian Colonies and their prospects. The following is the substance of the scheme whioh has been proposed by the Postmaster-General for laying a submarine telegraph cable between Australia and America. Alternative routes are suggested. According to the first of these, tho line would be laid via New .Caledonia, Fiji, and Honolulu, with a total length of 6858 knots. The estimated cost for a line by this route is £200,000. If the alternative route be followed, the cable will be taken from Auokland, the length being thus reduced to 6500 knotß and the estimated cost to £195,000. In this case, however, the existing Eastern Extension Company's cable from Nelson to Botany Bay must be added to the estimate. The cost is to be defrayed by the Colonies jointly upon the baßis of population. The share of New Zealand would thus be £26,600. Communications with reference to the scheme will be addressed to the New Zealand Government. I