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D—No. 2

however, where Lines of Telegraph are run through wild rough Countries, and where they only care to preserve the insulation of the Wire, and where also Economy is the great desideratum, they do not cut the standing trees, but in many instances attach the wire to them, I would not, however, advise the adoption of the latter principle, as the sap from green trees, very often interferes, destroys the insulating property of the wire-conductor ; but I am of opinion, that for a young Colony, where the Line could follow a cleared track, the mere lopping of the limbs, where they are liable to come iv contact with the wire, would be quite sufficient for practical purposes, more particularly, when bush fires are not frequent, as it would reduce the cost of construction very materially. With regard to the interference of the Natives with Telegraph Lines, I am opinion, very little annoyance would be apprehended, as I find from Mr. O'Shannessy's (the Superintendent of Telegraph for India) report on the construction of Telegraph through India, that scarcely any trouble has been experienced from this cause, although the lines run through many of the most wild districts of that Country, and I cannot believe that New Zealanders are more vicious than their sable Brethren of the East. After having duly considered the cost of maintenance of Telegraphs in the Australias generally, and comparing notes with the expenditure for similar Service in England, the United States and California, I am thoroughly convinced that this branch of the Service in the Colonies, is far too extravagantly conducted, and this arises from the idea that all Government Clerks should be paid on the same scale whether the branch of the Service with which they are connected require ability or not—young lads from fourteen to sixteen years of age in this case being more efficient than men advanced in years. At Lothbiuy in the City of London, where some one hundred and sixty miles (160) are constantly kept workinc, and where there are over two hundred persons employed, young girls from sixteen to twentyone, send and receive all Telegrams and transact all the ordinary business of the operating rooms of that immense Establishment—there being of course an experienced Electrician, to keep the batteries, wires, instruments, &c, in order, as well as various other male Managers, to superintend general outdoor repairs, &c. Another error the Governments of the Colonies have fallen into with respect to this department of their Service, is in the employment of a plurality of Clerks, line-men, &c, the salaries of which surplus staff would go far towards the declaration of a dividend. In organizing the Telegraph department in Tasmania, I found my ideas to be perfectly correct in this respect, and where tin? maintenance of a Teh graph Station in Victoria or New South Wales, would cost seven hundred pounds per annum, I performed the Service equally as efficient for three hundred pounds. These are facts not to be disputed, and I would therefore advise your Government in opening a new department t > give them your careful consideration. The expense of maintaining and working Telegraphs entirely depend upon the number of Stations required for the purpose of transacting business, and for a proper protection of the Line in cases of accidents, as well as the number of Clerks necessary to perform the Service efficiently. In thickly wooded Countries where trees are liable frequently to fall across the wire and interrupt Communication, it is not desirable to have a greater distance than eighty miles between each Station, in which case a broken wire could always be repairedwithin five or six hours of its occurrence, I could form a much better idea upon this point, however, after examining the route. The number of persons required at each Station need not exceed two, viz., one labouring man to keep the Line in repair, and a lad to work tho instrument. At the principal Towns, where it would be necessary to maintain large batteries, an additional Assistant would be required. The salary of a Country station should not exceed Two Hundred Pounds per annum. The cost of fitting up each Office with a full set of " Morse's Recording Instruments" (such as are used in the Colonies generally) with batteries, tables, manipulating keys, and all the necessary appurtenances attached, would not exceed Sixty Pounds (£GO) and the total expense of maintaining a Line of Telegraph from Auckland to Dunedin, for say twelve Stations, including repairs to instruments, insulators, batteries, posts, accidental interruptions and casualties, acids for resuscitation of batteries, register paper, stationery, fuel, lights, he, he, provided the Line did not exceed Seven Hundred and Fifty miles (750) would amount to about Three Thousand Pounds per annum. This estimate, of course, would be exclusive of Clerical labour. should your Government deem it desirable, I will be most happy to visit your Colony, and after inspecting the proposed route for the contemplated Line of Telegraph, would furnish you a report shewing a.correct estimate of the entire work, both as regards the cost of construction, the number of Stations required, the amount actually necessary, per annum, for maintenance, and all other matters of detail connected therewith, for which Service I should merely require tho Government to pay the necessary travelling expenses, and allcv me a certain sum per diem as a fixed remuneration to be hereafter named. The latter contingency to be acted upon, only, in case the Government did not employ me as a Contractor in the construction of the Line. It is scarcely necessary for me here to exsatiate upon the benefits derivable from Electric Communication, it speaks for itself. Within the past three years nearly three thousand miles of the Electric wire have been erected in the Australian Colonies. By a recent report of Mr. S. W. McGowan's (Superintendent of Telegraphs for Victoria) I have observed that Lines in that Colony are earning sufficient were they in private hands, to declare adividond of nine (9) per cent., notwithstanding the Department is conducted upon the most expensive scale. In New South Wales and South Australia the same results have been produced, and the trio are extending their Lines to every " nook and corner" of their respective Colonies. Tasmania too has felt its vast benefits, and those who were the first to condemn its introduction in the Legislature, now cry out most loudly for its extension. And so and so it has been, wherever it has gained a footing, its effects are irresistible, —the Governments use it to an immense extent for the transaction of their most important business—the Police use