Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-01-20 00:00:00

THE MERSEY TELEGRAPH.

This important enterprise, it will be seen by our
report of yesterday's Dock Board, was the subject of is
brief but highly interesting discussion. The telegraPh
cable has so far failed ; and as so many mishaps ha'l'e
occurred, it is become difficult to decide what is best to
be done to surmount the obstacles that still stand in the'
way of its success. But Mr. Bushell has intro-
duced a new plan altogether. "He held in big
hand a letter," he is reported to have stated'
" which came to him from such good anthority, that be
thought perhaps the board would allow him to mention"
that Mr. Lindsay, of Dundee, had an invention, by
which he could transmit the electric fluid through the'
water without either chain or cable. Mr. Lindsay sca'.4
well known in Dundee as a man of great practical
science, and he had succeeded there in passing the fluids
across the Tay, a distance of half a mile. He coulX
vouch for Mr. Lindsay's respectability and skill ; and as
the cost of the experiment would not exceed £2O, he"
believed probably an opportunity might be given Yr•
Lindsay to demonstrate his invention." The subject
was not yesterday proceeded with any further. It is,
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rebpy the Works m-
uponincodue
time. It would appear to be most desirable that Mr..
Lindsay's invention should be tried, especially as it cane
be done at so trifling an expense.

IMPORTANT DISCOVERY IN BRITISH COLUMBIA.—
Her Majesty's ship Plumper arrived at Esquimauit on-
the Ist November, from Nanaimo, having concluded
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her surveying operations on the northern part of the-
Strait of Georgia for the present season. During
this cruise several new anchorages have been dis-
covered and surveyed between Nanaimo and Cape Laze'
(or Point Holmes as it is sometimes called), a distance of
covert' _ is the existence of a considerable river in Vancou;
es
steamers, on the banks of which are extensive tracts of es"
cellent land, varying from 20 to 100 feet in elevation, aid
aboutcvleeo
thed with a
for the plough, is entirely clear of the pine tree, and
studded here and there with a better kind of oak' than
is usually found on the cleared lands of Vancouver's,
Island. This river, which has received the name of
Courtenay, in honour of Admiral Courtenay, who 'for-
merly commanded her Majesty's ship Constance, at
these waters, empties itself into a good and spacious hal"
bour, Port Augusta, which lies in about 49 degrees
thirty-six minutes north latitude and is scarcely fiftl
miles from Nanaimo. Major Downie was on his icaY
down from the Upper Fraser River region by tin
Lillooet trail and Port Douglas. There were reports 01
his having made some valuable geographical discoveries
on his journey from the coast to Port Alexander, among,
which were a chain of lakes extending along the route•
150 miles, so that steamers drawing 12 inches of water
can navigate a distance of 100 miles further thark
steamers drawing four feet, which latter run on Senti
River, and a practicable portage of 40 miles will then'
reach Fort Alexander. These reports are looked upont.
at Victoria as important, as, if true, the upper mining
districts will be much more accessible than heretofore?,
being brought almost within water communication 01
Victoria,—Canadian ;Veto,
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