, 1875-03-10

WYNN blOuQO on NV 80 ~ P~N
on the Order of the Day for a subsequent
meeting. He had some doubts if such a line
would really be so costly, if properly and
economically established and conducted in
fact, after the first cost, which he had heard
estimated at $500, there need in future not
be much increased outlay, as the duties
could be entrusted to the Postmasters, for
which, he believed, reservation has been made
in their appointments.
end Member for Frederiksted Country Dis
trict [Latiner] agreed with the Presidency
that under the present reduced state of the
public funds, the matter of establishing tele-
graphic line between this and Frederiksted
could hardly come under consideration and,
moreover, it would be rather hasty to take
steps now before we see how things work on
the established lines. Better wait till the
Colonial Treasury is again full, and other
things favour the measure.
The President repeated that If any object
Immediately connected with the public service
were to be obtained by a telegraphio line
between the towns, that would alter the case;
iff i. in the matter, where it was alluded to
by Governor Garde, namely the reduction
and concentration Of the military force, a tele-
graphic communication were contemplated,
the outlay would be compensated by the object
desired but it does not seem to him that the
expense to be incurred would be justified
by the measure, viewed merely as a con-
venience to the public in general. He knew
from expressions fallen from the Chief Engi-
neer in charge of the established lines, that
the putting up Of posts, wires, etc. could not
on that line be expected to be less than $4,000.
End Member for Frederiksted IuJey ex-
pressed his establishment at the amount Of the
estimate he had heard that $500 would be
sufficient, and he had even heard that an
offer had been made to that effect.
The President had read the same assertion
iu the st. Croix Avis; he could only say no
such offer had to his knowledge ever been made
to the Government whatever amount might
by some body or other have been mentioned
In casual conversation. He would add, that
independently Of the loose estimate of the
gentleman alluded to, and previous to the
same, he himself had had a conference with
the building inspector, where the result with
the data they had for Judging the questions
was but little below the one first mentioned,
although the cost of the posts was put Town
to one half of what had been on the line just
completed. If not mistaken, there would
be required about $50 posts, which are
not cheap; the porcelain ~isOlators are very
expensive articles too; but he could Of
course not enter into details here.
4th Member for Christiansted's Country Dis
trict TT. FarrcHy) remembered that Governor
Garde had alluded to a Geographic line in the
Island for use in case of emergency, when the
military force DO concentrated in Basin. But
that would not answer, as in case of a distur-
bance the first thing would be to knock down
the whole line.
End Member for Christiansted (Hanson)
thought that the destruction of photographic com
munication would be the best sign of any dis
turbance; as soon as it is discovered that the
telegraph is not in working order, the Authori-
ties would thereby be sufficiently warned.
The Council made a respite of Is minutes,
after which the discussions were resumed.
Du Bots was absent, owing to indisposition.
2nd Member for Frederiksted (Fa6er) had
on examination found that the provision relative
to a Geographic line between Christiansted and
Frederiksted, which he from a good source had
mentioned as having been in the former Con-
c%ession, is not contained in the Concession of
23rd August 1878 to Messrs. Iietgen & Erich
sen. He begged to apologize for the mistake
he had made.
No one requested the word further.
The discussions were closed.
The Chairman, in accordance with the tenor
Of the discussions, submitted the following Res
olution
The Colonial Council gives its consent to the
measures proposed in the Presidency's Letter
of 25th February last, but can not withhold the
opinion that the privileges mentioned in the