The formation of a telegraphic line of communication, in a new country particularly, ever must stand prominently out as a witness to the intelligence of the community, and as an evidence of the energy and spirit of those who have properly appreciated one of the most wonderful discoveries of modern times, The establishment on the part of the Government of this colony of a telegraphic line from Melbourne to Queenscliffe, via Williamstown and Geelong, is an advantage to Victoria that comparatively but few understand and lees appreciate. The benefit derivable from rapid and almost instantaneous intelligence of the arrival of vessels at the Heads cannot be looked upon but as of the utmost importance and as one of the means of giving life and strength, and vigor, to the enterprise of those legitimately engaged in mercantile transactions.

That the expense to which the Government has been put in forming this line is amply justified there can be so doubt, from the very fact of the increasing amount of business transacted in the various offices throughout the range of the line. But, properly to carry out the purposes for which telegraphic communication has been so skilfully applied, the necessity of keeping the line perpetually open to the public presents itself. The denuding the community of those advantages during any hour of the night, as well as on any and every day of the year, is in itself contrary to all systems pursued in other parts of the world, and an inconvenience that will, we hope, very readily be swept away by the Government.

The loss from the many lamentable shipwrecks that have taken place at the Heads could, to a very considerable extent, have been lessened, had rapid communication with Melbourne in those days been available, so that steamers might have been quickly despatched from the bay to the relief of the distressed vessels. But the loss that has been occasioned in consequence of the want of this ready communication with the bay cannot be ain?? to be guarded against in future, when we look upon the fact has the offices are closed from eight at night until the same hour, or even later, on the following morning ; and on the Sunday the offices for purposes of business are never visited at all. Had a vessel struck on the rocks at the Heads at five minutes past eight on last Saturday night week, no intelligence by telegraph could have been conveyed till eleven o'clock on the following Monday morning, the offices being closed till that hour, in consequence of the day being a holiday on account of the separation of this colony from that of New South Wales! The line could be made available to the public, for the transmission of shipping intelligence alone, at all hours and on all days, at a very trifling expense ; and however we regret advocating any degree of labour to be done on the Sabbath day, yet matters cannot be carried on without it ; and where the safety of the lives of persons, as well as the protection of property of immense amount demand it, there needs little argument on the subject to tell one which course to pursue. The question is one of considerable moment to the merchant; and the suggestion thrown out here to adopt instant means to relieve vessels that may strike on the treacherous rocks at Port Philip Heads, is for the consideration of that body of men whose interest and whose duty it is to take immediate steps for bringing about this most needful as. assistance. Argus.

SG & SGTL Vol 12 ; Page 163 ; 16 Jul 1855

^ back to top ^