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shaken. It must also be borne in mind that the English public are not in a position to judge of the possibility of constructing, within a specified time, or of afterwards efficiently maintaining, the proposed Overland Telegraph. ■ It is, therefore, absolutely necessary that the Queensland Government should accede to a condition which is the counterpart of the condition which deprives the Company of a rateable portion of the subsidy when their Cable is not in working order. The new condition proposed is as follows :— " That the Government of Queensland shall construct and maintain an Overland Telegraph between Brisbane and Van Diemen's Inlet, in Gulf Carpentaria, within one and a half years from the date of the Contract granting the subsidy for the Cable between Java and the said Inlet. " That for every day beyond the said one and a half years, which shall elapse without Telegraphic communication being completed, and after its completion for every day that such Telegraphic communication shall be interrupted between Brisbane and Van Diemen's Inlet, the Government of Queensland engages to pay to the Company at the rate of 10 per cent, per annum upon the cost of the said submarine line." You will observe that the 10 per cent, would have to go to pay the working expenses as well as a dividend. It will be evident to you, Sir, that no progress will be made in this matter until the Colonies agree among themselves upon a common basis of action, and I trust that the interest which you have constantly evinced in this great question, has already caused you to take practical steps to secure such an agreement. I can see no difficulty in the way of this if the intention exists. I have, Ac, F. Gisborne. Governor Sir Geo. F. Bowen, Queensland.
No. 6. SECRETARY TO THK POSTMASTER-OENEKAL TO MR. F. GISliORNE, General Post Office, Auckland, 21st May, 1863. Sir, — I us directed by Mr. Reader Wood, in the absence of the Postmaster-General, to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 2Gth January, 18G3, addressed to His Excellency Sir George Grey, on the subject of Telegraphies communication between the United Kingdom and Australia, via Java and India, and to convey to you the thanks of the Government for the same. I have, &c, G. Eliott Eliott, Secretary. F. Gisborne, Esq., G, Duke-street, Adelphi, London.
No. 7. MR. F. G1SBORNK TO GOVERNOR SIR GEOBGK GREY, K.C.B. (5, Duke-street, Adelphi, London, 19th March, 1863. Sir,— I have the honor to enclose copy of a letter addressed by Sir Charles Nicholson, on the 6th instant, to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on behalf of the promoter! of the Anglo-Australian and China Telegraph, asking for Imperial assistance to the Java-Queensland section ; also an Estimate of the cost of that line, dated the 5th instant. An influential deputation waited on the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the 27th ultimo, and the above letter was written at his request, and will full} 7 explain itself. I think it unnecessary to enclose the documents referred to in it, some of which are already in your possession. There is no doubt that Her Majesty's Government now attach far more importance to the question of Telegraphic communication with their'Eastern possessions and Colonies than they did last year, and I believe the present application will meet with success. The distinction which is now beginning to be appreciated between deep sea and shallow sea Telegraphs, and the considei'ation that the whole Telegraphic system proposed by the promoters belongs to the latter category, is no doubt one of the main causes which has induced this change of feeling.
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