A.—3.

16

SCHEDULE. TENDERS received for Manufacturing and Laying Submarine Telegraph Cable.

Electric Telegraph Department, W. J. Cbacknell, Superintendent's Office, Superintendent of Electric Telegraphs. Brisbane, 9th December, 1872. " That the Imperial Government be requested to assist the Governments of the Australian Colonies in the construction of such cable— " Ist. By causing soundings to be taken by Her Majesty's ships in the seas through which the cable must pass. " 2nd. By such aid, pecuniarily or otherwise, as they may think fit." 9. Mr. Vogel then moved, and Mr. .Reynolds seconded, —" That a communication from the representatives of New Zealand, dated 30th January, 1873, on the subject of the Californian Mail Service, addressed to the Colonial Secretary of New South Wales, should be entered upon the records of the proceedings of the Conference." Agreed to. (Por letter, see separate papers.) 10. Mr. Barlee gave notice of the following motion : — (1.) " That as it is undesirable for the several Colonies of Australia to depend on a single line of telegraphic communication with Europe, this Conference recommends the construction of a second cable, either from Galle to Western Australia via the Cocoa or Keeling Islands, or from Java to Western Australia. (2.) "That such cable be landed at the Port of Geraldton, in Western Australia, in latitude 28° 47", from whence telegraphic communication exists overland to the Port of King George's Sound in the same Colony, in latitude 35° o''. (3.) " That from thence communication be conveyed either by land-line to South Australia, or by cable to such point in Australia as may, in the opinion of this Conference, be most conducive to the general interests of the several Colonies. (4.) " That the adoption of these resolutions possesses the great advantage of placing all the Australian Colonies, New Zealand, and Tasmania in immediate communication—a manifest commercial advantage to be gained by no other route. (5.) "That the cost of this service will best be met by Parliamentary sanction being obtained to a guarantee not exceeding 5 per cent, on the cost of construction to and from the ports of arrival and departure in Western Australia." 11. Mr. Wilson then moved as follows :— (1.) " That this Conference, having had under consideration Lord Kimberley's Circular Despatch of the 19th April, 1872, resolve to adopt a joint memorial to the Queen, praying that Her Majesty will direct such measures to be taken as will enable the Koval Assent to be given to the Intercolonial Eeciprocity Acts of the Legislatures of Tasmania, South Australia, and New Zealand, and that Her Majesty will direct such measures to be taken as may be found necessary to give full effect to the wishes and requests of the Governments and Legislatures of Her Majesty's Australasian possessions in the matter of Intercolonial free trade. (2.) " That the Hon. H. Parkes, the Hon. J. Vogel, and the Mover, be a Committee to prepare a draft of such joint memorial for the consideration of the Conference." Which, having been amended as follows, was agreed to: —" That this Conference having had under consideration Lord Kimberley's Circular Despatch (if 19th April, 1872, resolved to adopt a joint memorial to the Queen, praying that Her Majesty will direct such measures to be taken as may be found necessary to give full effect to the wishes and requests of the

:o. Name of Tenderer. Total Length. Length — Divisions of Cable. Weight per mile of7-wire copper con- ' ductor. Weight of msulatI "S. , material I Price 'per knot. Sheathing. Total Cost. Prices — Extra Length Cable. Time of Contract. Miles 1,895 210 lbs. 260 lbs. £ 187 India-rubber, Gutta Percha, and Telegraph Works Co. (Limited). A Main cable 800 knots B Main cable 1,050 knots C Shore-end cable, 120 knots D Shore-end cable, 25. A~) o[ do do 180 „ 240 „ ; 236 348 Galvanized iron wires, covered with three coating3 of mineral pitch and silica. £400,000 9 calendar months to manufacture cable only; no specified time for laying. 200 „ 220 „ i Indo-Auatralian Telegraph Co. 1,000 A serving of Indiarubber, felt, and jute yarn over core, and sheathed with galvanized wire, served with Clarke's compound and jute yarn. Do. do ... 210 „ 180 „ 200 „ 260 „ ! 240 „ 220 ,, £691,000— 5 per cent, guarantee. Hooper's Telegraph Works. do. ... £ [ do. do. 210 „ 180 „ 200 „ 260 „ 240 „ 200 „ £480,000 12 calendar months to manufacture and lay the cable. 12 calendar months to manufacture and lay the cable. 12 calendar months to manufacture and lay the cable. Siemens Bros. ... No. 1 do. ... £ C ao. do. 210 „ 180 „ 200 ,, 260 „ 240 „ 200 ,, Do. £560,000 A £160 B £164 C £224 D£G60 Siemens Bros. ... No. 2 do. ... 5 i do. do. d; Do 210 „ 180 „ 200 „ do." 260 „ 240 „ 200 ,, i 'do." I Do. £085,000— 5 percent, guarantee. W. T. Henley ... do. ... 300 Do. £598,500