The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-09-09 00:00:00

THE TELEGRAPH IN AUSTRALIA.

The following letter, which has been sent to The
T;»,ex for publication, will be interesting to many of
our readers :--
31ay I request the favour of your giving publicity to the
annexed telegram from Adelaide of the I lth of August, which
received late last night from Galls% only three hours twenty:
nine minutes having bets occupied to its transmission from
that distant place? This telegram not alone gives very kak-
i:let:a v Ink illolice of the prioress of the WOiks of the great
hoot line if telegraph through the centre of Australia to
Port Darwin now being constructed by South Australia,
Lilt is 0150 interesting from a geogniphical point of view.
Ti, 3 31r. Ross referred to is the manager of the Hon. Thomas
Elder's sheep stations in the for interior of South Australia :
living an experienced bushman he has, with Mr. Elder's per-
mission, acted as pioneer for the different corps of drays and
waggons and camels which are engaged on the work, moving
in advance of the working, parties, and selecting the best
routes for them to follow. So many croakers have been
actively engaged in trying to make the public believe that
the interior of Australia was such a terrible desert, that
it would he impossible to carry the land line of telegraph
throngh that country, that it makes one smile to read
how this expert explorer, having Mashed his work In
placMg the several transport expo:idol:is each in its proper
route, quietly rides into Port Darwin, finding •• plenty
of water and timber and amid country by the way. The
highway right through the centre of that great continent is
thus finally established. As soon as the wire is stretched
arrons, which will be accomplished by the :11 51 of December,
there will be no such thing heard of in future as explorers
losing their way in the interior, or perishing like poor Bourke
and With did. But more important still will be the facility
and ease with which the country vast and west of the 5 ire-
can be explaieed in future, taking the different telegraph
stations along the tine as point,: d'unnei from whence to ex-
plore;oo or 400 miles to the east or to the west. 4f the gallant
stud were still alive how his heart would lie gladdened at
the now early prospect of the realization of results in the
then futile attaimneat of which he evinced such indoniitable
courage mid underwent so much hardship and suffering Is
It chimerical to cherish the expectation that discoveries may
be made in that far into id.' of at present tinkle ovn rivers, or
reservoirs of water sufficient 0 enable large civilized com-
munities to take root there and cultivate the soil, or that
mineral treasures may be brought to light, as lii the southern
and eastern portions of Australia, which will before many
years are past cause the " iron horse" to replace the bush-
man's hack and the bullock dray ?-1 remain. .Ve.,
FRANCIS S. DILTI,N.
Agent-flenerd for South Australia.
Office of Agent-General for South Australia a'
Great Georgo-strect, Westminster. S. W., Sept. 4.

(Copy
,of

. ,
"Treasurer to AionittSeneral (despatched from Adelabla,
Almust 14 reached Gallo Sept. 3, at 1.7. p.m., anti
London at 4.36 p.m.).
,

"Fresh news from !merlon All sect b Ins .f telegraph) pro-.
gre,ing rapidly :explorer Ross reaehol Port Ilarwin June ;
plenty !hula:rand water ; country good : steamer Ontro will
reach Port Dar*lat August 20, followed immediately by four
ships.'