there were frequent interruptions,'[1] as well as in the volcanic region between Banjoewangie and Port Darwin. Such are the dangers and expenses of cable enterprise. These cables, however, fortunately cost less than the former ones, or at the rate of under £220 per mile. This duplicate line was subsidized by some of the Australian Governments most concerned.
As time passed four important further steps were taken to strengthen the connection between India and Australia. First, in 1889, after negotiation with the Colonial Office, the section between Java and Australia was triplicated by a line to Roebuck Bay. Next, in 1891, the Madras-Penang section was duplicated. Then, in 1892, the line was triplicated between Penang and Singapore. Lastly, in 1894, the Netherlands-India Government assigned a special wire, worked by British operators, between Batavia and Banjoewangie for the special service of the international traffic.
Much had thus been done, but more remained to do. As time passed, the originators of this enterprise felt their work to be incomplete. There was the long landline through Australia. All traffic had to transit Java, a Dutch possession. The existing route was not only circuitous, but passed over a volcanic region, so that in 1888, and again in 1890, communication with Australia was wholly cut off. For these and other reasons they proposed, in March, 1897, to lay a cable from South Africa direct to Australia. This would bring in no fresh traffic. It would be immensely expensive. It would need costly stations to be built at Mauritius, Rodrigues, Cocos, and Perth on the way. It would require a considerable additional staff of highly-trained operators. It would necessitate the proximity of a ship to effect repairs. But, against all this, the Admiralty recommended the route strategically, and efficiency demanded it. It was laid, without subsidy, from Durban to Perth, in West Australia, in 1901; and in March, 1902, a cable was carried from Perth to Adelaide, right
- ↑ Answer 1749, Pacific Cable Committee, Blue-book, 1899.
