New South Wales - Colonial period: 1858-1900.
Lines in the Far West region.

The Far West region of New South Wales is defined in this site as being bounded by the region:

This places Wentworth in two regions. Given that lines came into Wentworth from the east and from the north, this "doubling-up" creates no problem.

  This map extends to the South West Region of Queensland.  
This map extends to the Broken Hill - Terowie (SA) telegraph line. This map extends to the North Central region.

 

This map extends to the Central West region.
 
 

The lines in the Far West region of NSW are described as follows:

Introduction to the Satellite map and to the the Far West region.

1. The economic implications.

2. The Wentworth - Bourke line.

2.1: The Wentworth-Pooncarie section.

2.2: The Pooncarie - Menindee section.

2.3: The Menindee - Wilcannia section.

2.4: The Wilcannia - Louth section.

2.5: The Louth - Bourke section.

3. The lines in the general Broken Hill region.

3.1: The line to Silverton.

3.2: The South Australia - Broken Hill link.

3.3: The line to Broken Hill.

3.4. The line to Eurowie.

3.5: The line to Thackaringa.

4. Wilcannia to White Cliffs (and Milperinka?).

5. The Bourke - Wanaaring - Milperinka - Tibooburra line.

6. The lines to Queensland.

7. Line from Booligal via Mossgiel and Ivanhoe to Wilcannia.

8. The inter-colonial operations from the Far West.

An alternative view of the Far West region which shows the contrast of conditions with parts of the North Central region and the Central West region is provided by part of the satellite image of Google Maps. Notice especially:

  • the split in the country side from Menindee to Bourke and Brewarrina caused by the Darling River;

  • the dry reddness of the Far West and the Central West compared to the increasing green in the Central West to the east of Nyngan.

 

Introduction.

The Far West region was, partly because of its geographical location, the end of the line for other developments. Hence all construction activity took place after 1875. In addition to the significant economic importance of the Far West region - which the Government of New South Wales could never appreciate and so left the riches to Victoria and South Australia - the region was seen from the perspective of needing to have back-up lines for the other routes especially:

There was also an increasing demand for the residents in the Far East involved in a variety of primary industries and in mining - but generally those needs were allowed to wait.

Some of the underlying issues were touched upon by The Empire in its 31 March 1863 issue:

"There is just now an agitation going on about either a union with Victoria of the riverine portions of this territory (NSW), or the formation of an inland colony. These agitations are based upon:

  • the alleged indifference of the New South Wales Government to the wants of the residents;
  • that it ignores, in a great measure, their right to participate in the revenue to which they so largely contribute.

It is not my intention to enter into the merits of this question, further than to observe that I think the Government of New South Wales is not so blameable as they would have us to believe. If anyone will look at the estimates, say for the last two years, he will find that their claims have not been so entirely overlooked. It can only be by annual grants, judiciously expended on wants the most pressing in their order, that they can be met.

TELEGRAPH:
The cognate subject of telegraphs to these districts has been incidentally alluded to by the Press in which they speak of bringing it up the Darling. There can be no doubt but this would be a great boon to the grazing interests in these districts. But I think it would be the better plan to bring it from Dubbo, to which place, in all probability, it will shortly be brought. The distance to that town by the wire would be 250 miles or less, while the distance by the Darling would be more than double that distance".

The Sydney Morning Herald of 15 March 1867 emphasised the importance of constructing the telegraph line along the Murray River to facilitate the construction of a line north from Wentworth:

" Postal communication up the Darling is only once a week and there is no telegraphic communication. A line of telegraph is, however, being constructed along the Murray and there will be a station at Wentworth. The construction of this line has, however, been longer delayed than it ought to have been and it is not yet available for the public.

If the Barrier diggings should come to anything, an extension of the wire from Wentworth to Menindee ought to be carried out with the least possible delay for, the more distant any populated portion of our territory is, the more essential is it that we should be in telegraphic communication therewith; the more infrequent and tardy the post, the more invaluable is the wire".

The Gippsland Times of 29 July 1875 reported that the NSW Government had allocated £30,000 for the construction of a telegraph line from Wentworth to Bourke via Wilcannia. Soon after, in the Legislative Assembly of 6 August 1875, the Minister, in relation to a question, answered "That it is the intention of the Government to have the construction of the telegraph line from Bourke to Wentworth proceeded with, as soon as the Appropriation Act shall be passed. The work will be carried out by contract".

The first new line in the Far West region of New South Wales extended the telegraph from Wentworth to Pooncarrie and then to Menindee, through to Wilcannia and Louth and on to Bourke. All six of these towns are on the banks of the Darling River and hence the telegraph line was extensively used to communicate about the movement of paddle-steamers and other craft as well as about trade. The path of the Darling River can be seen clearly in the above satellite image.

Access to Bourke was critical because it was an important post and mail coach centre for services along the Darling River to Wilcannia and along the Macquarie River to Dubbo.

The Pastoral Times of 28 October 1876 reported that "The contract has been signed for constructing the telegraph line from Bourke to Wentworth. Mr. Bayley is the contractor".

 

1. Economic implications.

There were two intertwined links across most of the townships in this area:

These two aspects are both, in their own context, massive. The Sydney Daily Telegraph of 18 October 1879 pointed out just how significant the economic aspect was:

"The communication which we publish in another column respecting railways for Riverina is deserving of special consideration, inasmuch as the author is evidently familiar with his subject and writes with an apparent knowledge of the districts concerned. His remarks refer mainly to the river Darling and the adjacent country and, in dealing with his letter, it will be convenient to confine our remarks to the question of developing the resources of and facilitating communication with the territory through which that great water-way runs.

According to our correspondent, the business transactions of four of the principal towns of the river amount to £2,400,000 per annum. If he is correct respecting Wentworth, Menindie, Wilcannia and Bourke, it will be safe to estimate the trade of Pooncarie and Louth — the other two places named by him — at another £100,000, thus bringing the Darling trade up to two millions and a-half sterling per annum, all of which, he asserts, goes to Melbourne and Adelaide.

While it may be assumed that our correspondent has taken care to obtain good information on which to found his calculations, it must be admitted that one of them at least is somewhat surprising. It is difficult to realise how a place, which a few years ago consisted of a small store and a sly-grog shanty, has developed into the centre of a trade amounting to £1,000,000 per annum; but such is stated to be the case with respect to Wilcannia.

Assuming however that the figures are correct, they afford a remarkable proof of the suicidal policy which has allowed the business of such a district to pass clear and clean out of the hands of Sydney merchants, and it also suggests the consideration of the difficulties which are in the way of diverting even a portion of it to New South Wales. Our correspondent puts the matter as a two fold problem:

  • first, how is the traffic to be directed to Sydney? and,
  • second, how is the trade to be largely increased once having acquired it?

and he considers that these results can be secured by the construction of three railways. The lines he suggests are one from Orange to Bourke, a second from Orange to Wilcannia, and a third to Pooncarie via Hay — these three lines involving the one from Narrandera to Hay, which would have to be constructed".

This article continues and in part, discusses that the more cost-effective approach would be to improve communication along the Darling rather than to construct railways. Certainly the amount of economic value in the Far West region should have been sufficient to alert the Government to consider the region more in terms of telegraphic communication.

What must be appreciated in discussing the extension of the telegraph is that the regional news was constantly about the movement of the River Steamers up and downA typical report extracted from a large daily article is:
"Florence Annie arrived from Bourke on Thursday with general cargo, and leaves for Bourke on Monday next. Ruby arrived from Wentworth yesterday.
Weather and stock reports : The only stock near here is a mob of 360 odd Thylungru cattle, Messrs. R. Sutor and Co., owners, in charge of O Leary. This herd was reported at Nipper's Creek a week back and are said to be the finest mob of cattle that have come this way for a long time past. the Darling River carrying produce and wool. River height reports were critical and prominent news items. As noted in the above article, the Railway could not compete with the Darling in the 1800s but the telegraph line could complement the activity.

About the same time as the telegraph lines were being erected towards Queensland, construction of the major telegraph line in the far west of New South Wales was commenced. It ran north from Wentworth through Pooncarie and Menindie (1877) and on to Wilcannia (1878) and Bourke (1873). When this major telegraphic construction activity was completed - being carried out in the most trying conditions - a complete circuit around New South Wales would be established.

Menindee, about 110 km south-east from the Broken Hill area, was the first town to be established on the Darling River. Early visitors included a sample from the "Whos-Who" of Australian explorers -Thomas Mitchell (1835), Charles Sturt (1844) and Burke and Wills (1860). Before 1877, there was really very little to the west.

 

2: The Wentworth to Bourke line.

On 11 May 1867, the Sydney Mail announced that "Another important line of telegraph has been opened (on 11 May) - that from Deniliquin along the course of the Murray to the South Australian frontier. This gives Sydney direct communication with Adelaide without going through Victoria at all.

There is still one long line wanting to perfect the telegraphic system of this colony, and that is one from Wentworth up the Darling to Fort Bourke and thence up the Namoi to Walgett, and so on till it unites with the Northern line. This would bring us into communication with Northern and Western Riverina, now very isolated, and the postal communication with which is very slow". 

The Goulburn Herald of 14 July 1875 reported that the NSW Government had allocated £30,000 for the construction of a telegraph line from Wentworth to Bourke via Wilcannia. In November 1875, the Gazette reported that Messrs. Bourke and Jennings had been awarded the contract to construct the Bourke to Wentworth telegraph line. The Sydney Morning Herald of 29 December 1877 noted "By the end of the coming month, a line 500 miles in length will be ready to be put into operation and will connect Bourke with Wentworth via Louth, Wilcannia, Menindee and Pooncarie. A new line from Bourke to Rutherford will also be put in circuit before the end of January, being seventy miles long from Bourke and connecting to the Queensland line, will pass through the Warrego and Warrinoa districts".

 

2.1 The Wentworth to Pooncarie section.

Pooncarie had been the centre for illegal grazing by European settlers since the 1840s and the Colonial Government had made efforts to control the region during the 1860s. It was situated on the banks of the Darling River and so was a port for paddle-steamers - especially for the transport of wool from western NSW to Southern Queensland and South Australia. Its location also attracted Burke and Wills on their ill-fated expedition when they made their 30th camp just south of Pooncarie (at Tarcoola) on 26 September 1860. From there, they headed north to Menindee on 11 October.

The Evening News of 25 February 1876 reported:

"Wilcannia: 18 February.

"The telegraph line between Bourke and Wentworth has been commenced. At Wentworth the contractors are doing all in their power to get a satisfactory start and will, no doubt, carry on the work with all possible speed. The lowness of the river and the absence of feed and water on the road will be a great drawback to their progress as they will be unable to get their machine up after passing a certain point but it is to be hoped that rain will fall soon".

The Sydney Morning Herald of 30 December 1876 reported the start of the line as follows:

"TELEGRAPH TO BOURKE.

The commencement of the construction of the telegraph line from Wentworth to the Queensland border, by way of Bourke, is a matter of congratulation for all the residents upon the Darling River.

The ceremony of erecting the first pole on the line was performed on Monday last (25 December) by Mr. William Crozier, the Deputy Sheriff of the (Wentworth) district. There was a good attendance of the leading residents of the town and, after Mr. Crozier had declared the pole to be well and truly erected, the company adjourned to the shade of a neighbouring gum tree and partook of a champagne lunch, provided by the superintendent of the line, Mr. Ralph Richardson. The healths of Mr. Richardson, Mr. Bailie, the contractor, and his overseer Mr. Simpson and success to the line were drunk with all honours. The visitors had the satisfaction of knowing that the work, though long delayed, was begun in earnest at last, for before leaving the ground no less than four poles had roared their stately heads, well and truly erected by the willing hands of the contractor's men.

The line is to be constructed to the border of Queensland, a distance of 580 miles by way of the Darling River. Offices are to be established at Pooncarie, 90 miles; Menindie, 150; Wilcannia, 283; Louth, 400, and Bourke 500, all on the Darling River; and at Rutherford 680 miles, where the line will connect with Queensland.

The contractor proposes to commence operations simultaneously at four different points, namely, Wentworth, Menindie, Wilcannia and Bourke. From the energy already shown, there is little doubt but that the construction will be completed within twelve months, the contract time allowed. The contractor is Mr. Billie, a gentleman of large experience in works of this nature. The Government superintendents are Mr. Ralph Richardson, who I believe will take charge at Bourke, and Mr. Sidney Schrieber, who will superintend the line from Wentworth".

On 31 March 1877, the Australian Town and Country Journal reported that "About 45 miles of the telegraph between Wilcannia and Wentworth have been completed". The Pooncarrie Telegraph Station was not opened until 23 October 1877. In a frequently reprinted list of achievements about December 1977, the Government consistently claimed that 332 miles of the Bourke to Wentworth telegraph line had been erected in 1877. Maybe that claim was slightly exaggerated.

The telegraph line was extended from Menindee to Silverton and the Silverton telegraph office was opened in August 1885. The settlement of Broken Hill was established in 1883 with the telegraph office opened in 1886. A telegraph office at Thackaringa Mines was opened in 1889.

In February 1910, tenders were called in the Gazette for the erection of wooden poles, re-setting existing poles and other works in connection with repairs to the Poincarie-Menindee and Wentworth-Poincarie lines.

 

2.2: The Pooncarie - Menindee section of the line.

The central section of the main line continued to roughly follow the Darling River. From Pooncarie, the line linked to Menindie and then to Wilcannia through to Louth - sounds familiar from the description about the economic implications.

Menindee had been the first town to be established on the Darling River. Early visitors included a sample from the "Whos-Who" of Australian explorers -Thomas Mitchell (1835), Charles Sturt (1844) and Burke and Wills (1860). Before 1877, there was no development to the west.

In a petition to the Colonial Secretary asking for a Police Magistrate, the people of Menindee described their locality as follows:

"Wilcannia occupies a most central position in that part of Now South Wales which is watered by the river Darling and its tributaries. That Wilcannia will almost immediately be connected by telegraphic communication with Sydney and all other parts of this colony. That Wilcannia is now in direct postal communication with Adelaide, Deniliquin, Sydney, Hay, Booligal, Bourke, Menindie, Wentworth, and all other New South Wales post towns, by means of through coach mails both up and down the river Darling, and by across mail direct from Deniliquin, by way of Mossgiel and the country back of the Lachlan river. That of late Wilcannia has steadily progressed both in importance and in population, and is now progressing with rapid strides towards becoming one of the largest of our in land towns - commanding millions of acres of back country on both sides of the River Darling"
(Australian Town and Country Journal, 8 January 1876).

The Narrabri Journal of 11 August 1877 reported progress with a recommendation for immediate action:

"We are glad to be able to report that our telegraph line is progressing favourably, and will be completed to Menindie in September and Wilcannia by the beginning of the year.

For some considerable time past, the line has been completed to Pooncarie and, in a late issue, we suggested that the people should take steps to have an office opened there at once but as yet nothing has been done.

It would be a considerable advantage to the people of Wilcannia, in fact to all the residents of the river, to have an office opened at Pooncarie. We would call attention to the fact that as yet no preparation has been made for a telegraphic office in Wilcannia, and we should not be surprised to find that, when the line is completed, the opening will be considerably delayed for the want of a room to receive the battery and other machinery connected with the office. The people should take immediate steps to prevent any such occurrence and should at once communicate with the Minister for Works, urging upon him to prepare for the opening of the line without delay".

 

2.3: The Menindee - Wilcannia section of the line.

By 1876, Wilcannia was a thriving shipping port of New South Wales with five wholesale merchant's stores. There was clearly a need for a telegraph line to enable the commercial interests to communicate quickly with Sydney.

On 20 February 1875, the Australian Town and Country Journal noted that "Nothing more has been done towards the opening of telegraphic communication to our town, which is a want very much felt. It has long been promised by Mr. Cracknell, but that appears to be our share of it. I would call the attention of our worthy Member to this fact and hope he will endeavour to obtain for us this boon to all business men and in fact to the whole district".

At this stage, it appears that no decision had even been made as to whether the telegraph line should come to Wilcannia via Bourke/Louth or from Menindie. On 22 May 1875, the Australian Town and Country Journal reported "We are in great hopes of shortly having the telegraph line as the Government have got to work, and we hope to see tenders for the construction of the line at once called for. It will be a red letter day for Wilcannia when the telegraph office is opened and great will be the rejoicings of the inhabitants".

The Albury Banner of 18 March 1876 reported that "The Wilcannia correspondent of a Hay contemporary reports that Mr. Jennings of Albury, one of the firm who have the contract for the erection of a telegraph line between Wentworth and Bourke, has passed through Wilcannia on his way to Wentworth. He superintends the starting of the work personally". As an aside, at about that time, the people of the Darling around Wilcannia and surrounding districts were suffering the effects of a major extended drought in which hundreds of cattle and sheep were lying dead in the open paddocks. 20,000 sheep were reported to have died in one day on the Barrier Ranges. On 15 July, the Pastoral Times claimed 50,000 sheep had died in Wilcannia Station during the drought. Following the drought, in April 1877, measles had prevailed in every house in Wilcannia. Good rain did fall towards the end of April.

 

2.4: The Wilcannia - Louth section of the line.

In 1876 correspondence between South Australia and New South Wales, there were suggestions that a second route to Darwin - and thence to England by the cables - should be via Wilcannia and not Normanton in Queensland.

 

2.5: The Louth - Bourke section.

The Empire of 26 July 1873 noted "From the mines there is no news of importance, but it seems a settled thing that Louth is the correct river depot for ore going to Adelaide. One firm, in an advertisement for the purchase of copper, offers 5s per ton for it, delivered at that place".

The construction of this line is described elsewhere.

 

3. Lines in the general Broken Hill region.

A description of the area around Silverton and Broken Hill is included elsewhere.

 

3.1: The line to Silverton.

The Sydney Mail of 11 October 1884 raised the issue of a telegraph line to Silverton in the following way:

"The Post Office (at Silverton) is a galvanised building and, although postal matters are a trifle better arranged than a few months since, still it is anything but creditable to the Ministry that no move has been made with regard to running a telegraph line from Menindie to Silverton. Now is the time when the line would quickly pay for itself. With smart work the line could be erected and in working order in two months from the date of signing the contract".

Silverton had been established gradually from the early 1870s but much more rapidly in the early 1880s. This unexpected rapid expansion placed severe stress on a range of Government Officials. For example, by 1885, those commissioned to survey the new areas were unable to meet the demands at Silverton. Bitter complaints were received by Government with regard to the surveys in and around Silverton. In defence of the officials (for once), the rate of expansion placed a significant strain on the staff employed in the Survey department. The Government could not afford to keep a sufficient staff of men to survey places which sprang up as rapidly as Silverton had. Another task the Government had to address, because of the rapid rise of Silverton, was the opening of a stock route from Silverton via Menindie to Hay which also had to include the provision of sufficient supplies of water. Nevertheless, Government was still nervous about making a commitment to construct telegraph lines. The Minister of Health, for example when visiting Silverton in May 1885, pointed out that "the telegraph system was carried on at an annual loss of £70 000 and it was necessary, therefore, to be sure before opening new Telegraph Offices that no fresh loss would be sustained". Clearly there was no appreciation on the part of Government that Silverton was a totally different context to other areas in the Colony asking for the telegraph.

On 21 January, 1885, The Tarrangower Times published the following:

"In reference to the silver mines at Silverton, the "Silver Age" asserts that bets are freely made that South Australia will finish its 190 miles of railway before New South Wales completes the telegraph line of some seventy five miles. The Sydney department has called for tenders and undertakes to supply iron poles and then, out of consideration for the contractor, suggests that these and other material, may be sent by water - which our contemporary considers equal to a possible delay of two years. The tenders for the telegraph close on the 6th February.

A mail from Purnamoota is to be established, thus, giving quick and regular communication between the rich mines to the north-east and Silverton.

Returns from the Custom House there (in Silverton) state the amount of revenue collected for the quarter ending 31st December, 1884, as £5,120 1s. 10d., and for the past six months of the year £13,801 l1s. 1d".

At that time, Broken Hill had only just been established and it was not anticipated just how big it would be. Hence the line was planned to go directly to Silverton although, by geographical necessity, it was not too far from the growing township. Tenders to construct the 90 mile line from Menindie were quickly accepted and the telegraph line was soon erected to Silverton.

On 20 May 1885, the Sydney Morning Herald reported on a Banquet given to the Minister for Mines (Mr. Abbott). In part, one of the speeches noted that Silverton, with its residents, pastoralists and miners was

"only eighteen months old and that two years ago there was not 200 people on the field. The Government had since then accepted a contract for the construction of a telegraph line to Silverton, one of the greatest works they would require for a considerable time next to water. (Cheers.) He had heard that the Government had been condemned for having introduced a clause unfavourable to the contractors but it was most difficult to get contractors to tender for work in this dry country if they were tied down to time. On the suggestion of Mr. Quin, the Postmaster-General had made a regulation to the effect that the contract should only date from the time the river was navigable, and this had the effect of getting many people to tender and of enabling the Government to get the work done at a far cheaper rate than they otherwise could have done ... With regard to postal accommodation, he would recommend that steps be taken to provide a sum for a suitable Post and Telegraph Office ".

A description of the countryside through which the telegraph line to Silverton had to be constructed - described during Mr. Abbott's visit - is provided elsewhere.

The steamer Tenterden, from Sydney, brought 100 tons of wire insulators for the posts along the Silverton telegraph line. The material was sent through Menindie.

The news outlets kept a running commentary over the July-August 1885 period - not just about the telegraph line from Menindee to Silverton being "nearly completed" but also about "the non-arrival of the instruments and the operator".

The Sydney Mail of 27 October 1888 printed an excellent analysis of the amounts raised at Silverton and Broken Hill from Customs Duties, Wardens, Post Offices and Telegraph Offices from about 1884 to 1888. In part, the report contains the following information;

"The Postmaster at Silverton is also Telegraph Master and he has supplied me with the following returns viz. - from 26th August, 1885, to 30th September, 1888, £8,428 14s. 11d.

Mr. F. Whysall, Telegraph Master at Broken Hill, affords the following returns, viz.:

Date Range Amount
2nd August, 1886, to 31st December, 1886 £717 1 0
1st January, 1887, to 31st December, 1887 ... £3,146 14 3
1st January, 1883, to 30th September, 1888 £6,897 13 9
TOTAL 1886 - 1888 £10,761 9 0

So the total telegraph returns for Silverton and Broken Hill for the period were £19,190 3s 11d.

 

3.2: The South Australia - Broken Hill link.

Also about 1885, the South Australian Government was interested in constructing a third telegraph line in that Colony to New South Wales. That line would be a long way north of the Wentworth crossing and would enter NSW at about the level of Silverton. Details of that line are provided elsewhere together with an insight as to how materials could be delivered to that remote part of New South Wales.

 

3.3: The line to Broken Hill.

Menindie is about 110 km south-east from the Broken Hill area. By 1880, prospectors had begun to explore the area to the west and northwest of Menindee.

The town of Broken Hill was established in 1883. By 1885, it had become obvious what an important and minerally rich area it really was. Two reports of so many reports were:

In July 1885, the Broken Hill Company had issued shares and all the shares offered to the public "had gone off, the list being considerably over applied for". As an aside, in February 1886, a resident of Kapunda (S.A.) had refused £10,000 for a 28th share in the Broken Hill mine at Silverton. On 15 April 1886, a letter to the Editor of the Daily Telegraph discussed the output from the Broken Hill Propriety Company Ltd (now listed on the Australian Stock Exchange as BHP) with regards to expected profits. It is even now a frequently discussed question about today's market-leading BHP shares. But, as happens in many economic cycles, by mid-1888 there was a major economic recession. Many share brokers were on the brink of collapse with shares previously selling for £10 to £20 each now selling at £1 when a sale could be organised.

It therefore quickly became obvious that telegraphic communication was immediately necessary. The Gazette of 8 June 1886 announced the acceptance of the tender submitted by Messrs. Pantlin and Pidding "for the erection of a telegraph line from Broken Hill to a junction with the Menindie - Silverton line for £29 per mile, extra wire if required £11 per mile and wire stays 10s each".

The Broken Hill Telegraph Office opened on 2 August 1886 - nearly two week before the Post Office!

An excellent description of this area and the rapidity with which these big centres of population and mining grew is included in the Albury Banner of 4 May 1888.

The isolation of Broken Hill continued to be felt. In October 1928, a severe storm completely isolated Broken Hill at about 2:30 pm on 1 October for all States. "Just prior to this, the telegraph people had a direct line with Sydney through Wilcannia, but a severe storm caused a complete dislocation of the lines, and the service was also thrown out of order between Adelaide and Broken Hill. The last report received from the telegraph office was to the effect that one small line was being operated between Broken Hill and Mildura and that the business being dispatched was hardly worth mentioning" (Barrier Miner 2 October 1928).

 

3.4: The line to Eurowie.

A Telegraph Office was opened at Eurowie on 18 July 1888.

In the Legislative Council on 26 June 1889, Mr. W. H. Suttor laid upon the table a copy of reduced telegraphic press rates between Eurowie and Purnamoota and South Australia".

 

3.5: The line to Thackaringa.

Thackaringa is just inside the New South Wales border and southeast Cockburn. In 1867, a rumour was started about a gold find at Thackaringa in South Australia. In 1877, a rich silver lode was discovered but the assay sample went missing en route to England. A significant amount of silver was discovered in 1882 - which was not sent to England.

On 28 April 1888, the Australian Town and Country Journal advised that "At a meeting held at the Miners' Arms Hotel lately (in Thackaringa), it was resolved that a memorial be presented to the Postmaster-General praying that a Post and Telegraph Office be established in the town and that a daily mail be established to and from Cockburn (Ed: i.e. the S.A. border)".

On 29 October 1888, the Daily Telegraph reported "The contractor for the Thackaringa line of telegraph commenced today. The wire will run from Thackaringa to the nearest point on the Cockburn to Silverton wire, connecting Thackaringa with all the lines. The work will be completed in about a fortnight".

A Telegraph Office at Thackaringa Mines was opened in 1889.

 

4. Wilcannia to White Cliffs.

The Barrier Miner 29 January 1898: "The telegraph poles for the line between Wilcannia and the Cliffs are now being laid so that, allowing for the usual dilatoriness of Government contracts, we may reasonably hope that within the next six months or so, telegraphic communication for White Cliffs will become an accomplishes fact". In February, the completion was scheduled (i.e. hoped for) in March - but by the middle of February "Wilcannia reports that the country between that town and White Cliffs is under water for 10 miles".

The next update was printed in the Western Grazier of 16 April 1898: "We are informed that the telegraph poles for the White Cliffs line are now erected as far as the Beefwood Hotel and that the work is being pushed forward with the utmost despatch".

On 6 July 1898, the Western Grazier published a Letter to the Editor:

"Sir.— The last pole was put in today and the wire strained to the Post Office door but, on enquiry as to when we will be able to send cables or telegrams, we are told that there are no instruments or batteries here. It reminds one some-what of the Ancient Mariner "Water, water every where, but not a drop to drink".

Our Progress Committee, I see, are doing their little best to stir up the slumbering officialdom from their state of lethargy, but do, prithee do, use your influence to get communication by wire with the outside world effected for us as soon as possible.

Tendering you the customary thanks in anticipation.
Truly yours
Are You There?
White Cliffs, July 2".

The Evening News of 14 July 1898 announced with no fanfare: "The White Cliffs-Wilcannia telegraph line was opened yesterday without ceremony". Bit flat!!!
The Sydney Morning Herald in its statement added "The progress committee sent and received congratulatory telegrams to the member, Mr. Sleath, the Mayors of Wilcannia and Broken Hill and to the postmaster of Wilcannia".

 

5. The Bourke - Wanaaring - Milperinka - Tibooburra line.

The probable motivation to construct a line to MilperinkaMilperinka changed name to Milparinka in November 1925. and Tibooburra was the discovery of gold in and around the region surrounding them in the late 1880s. Although few prospectors were attracted to seek their fortune in the region, it has been said that gold could be seen in the street after heavy rain. With an average monthly rainfall of about 20 mm, such discoveries were probably infrequent. A major line had been constructed to Bourke on the main line from Tamworth. That line had been competed to Bourke in 1873.


Cobb & Co Coach on the Broken Hill to Tibooburra road about 1910.

At a meeting of the Milperinka Progress Association on 18 October 1887, it was noted that "The want of telegraphic communication is severely felt here and we trust that this matter will receive favorable consideration from the Postmaster-General. We must have direct and speedy communication with the metropolis and it is a fallacy to doubt for a moment that this line would be unremunerative".

The question of the route for a line to Milperinka seems to have been an undecided one. Even the discussions omitted mention of a starting point. The people just wanted the line. There were three possibilities for line construction:

      1. from Wilcannia to the northwest possibly via White Cliffs;
      2. from Bourke to the west via Wanaaring;
      3. from Broken Hill due north via Eurowie to follow the stage-coach line.

 

From Wilcannia.

The Sydney Morning Herald of 15 March 1888 reported from Wilcannia that "A meeting is to be held in Tibooburra next week to advocate telegraph communication with this district, which is badly wanted, and would be largely used by South Queensland pastoralists. A petition is to be got up throughout the district praying for the extension of the telegraph line to Milperinka and Tibooburra".

Other activism was reported by the Daily Telegraph on 1 March 1888: "The Milparinka people are again agitating the question of telegraphic communication to that place via Wilcannia. They consider the departmental estimate of £25,000 absurd and unfounded, and think that Inspector Rickers' so-called information is derived not on the spot but from hearsay at Bourke. They point out that the prospecting board, consisting of Mr. Harrie Wood, Under-Secretary of Mines, Mr. W. H. J. Slee, Superintendent of Drills, and Mr. C. S. Wilkinson, Government geologist, who recently visited and carefully examined the field, are all in favor of connecting the undoubtedly auriferous and promising field of Mount BrowneMount Browne was a gold field about 8 kms west of Milparinka from about 1880 to the early 1890s. With a lack of water, the prospectors had to pan their gold with the wind or their own breath.
That Mount Browne no longer exists but there is a Mount Brown about 100 kms southeast of Broken Hill and 100 kms southwest of Wilcannia. by telegraphic communication with the rest of the colony. At present there is only a bi-weekly mail service from this end and residents urge that this condition of isolation is detrimental to the best interests of the field and district. They approve of Mr. Waddell's motion regarding telegraphic communication with the Far West and repeat the arguments used in the recent deputation to the Ministers (Messrs. Clarke and Abigail) here. Besides it is urged that the present excellent season will allow of the work being carried out cheaply and expeditiously, whereas if delayed till the grass and water fail, it will be quite impossible to construct the line".

This Wilcannia - Milperinka connection was never made.

 

From Bourke via Wanaaring.

The line from Tamworth via Walgett and Brewarrina to Bourke had been completed in 1873. Very little happened for another 11 years. Then, in November - December 1883, Minister Abbott and Minister Norton visited the area to talk with the people. The Daily Telegraph of 8 December 1884 reported this visit (in part) as follows:

"The jolly inhabitants of Bourke are a very hospitable class of people. They dispense their hospitality in a most open-hearted manner, and give visiting members of Government the choicest champagne, and all they ask in return is an opportunity to make known their wants to those who have power to push on their causes. So it was was that Mr Abbott and Mr Norton found them selves confronted with a large deputation almost within an hour of their arrival after a dreary, retched journey across the plains. But here the practical character of Bourke people showed itself. Deputations, as a rule, are very dry affairs, but on Saturday afternoon, the deputation at Bourke was quite the reverse. They put aside the urgent requirements of Bourke until the table was dotted with numerous empty champagne bottle. Then they modestly told Ministers they wanted the Government to give them ... (lots of things including) construct telegraph lines to Wanaaring and Hungerford; clear the surveyed road to Louth; construct a bridge on the road from Bourke to Barringun; etc".

At the end of the meeting, Mr. Abbott "promised to give them telegraph lines to Wanaaring and Hungerfords if they were fairly and honestly entitled to them".

A line to Wanaaring - 110 miles west of Bourke and 140 miles east of Milperinka - was constructed in 1887 (14 years after the telegraph line had reached Bourke). A Post Office had opened at Wanaaring in 1879 while the Telegraph Office opened in 1887. A Telegraph Office had opened at Eurowie on 18 July 1888. Eurowie is about 60 kms north east of Broken Hill and about 170 kms south of Milperinka.

 

From Wanaaring to Milperinka and Tibooburra.

The context of the need for the telegraph line to the general area of the far north-west of New South Wales was summarised by the Daily Telegraph of 4 July 1888:

"Satisfaction is generally felt that Mr. Abbott intends to press upon the Government the necessity for the Milperinka telegraph line. It is pointed out that the Wanaaring line, which has only one station and which has no adjacent centres of population, pays working expenses and upwards of £30 towards the interest. The proposed Tibooburra telegraph line will tap Mount Browne, Milparinka, Tibooburra, Wompah and Warri Warri, all centres of population, besides traversing a large extent of country and passing many important stations that now have only postal communication. In good seasons there is a large mining population resident on the Albert field, and in any case the important stock and general trade to and from South Queensland and the north-west of this colony can be commanded to a large extent. The want of telegraphic communication has proved a real drawback to the development of the district. At present correspondence takes a week from here and of course to Sydney, Adelaide or Melbourne the time is largely extended - in two cases more than doubled".

Hope for a smooth development for the residents of Milperinka was soon dashed. The Daily Telegraph of 15 August 1888 reported "A letter from the Milparinka progress committee was read at last night's meeting of the municipal council, asking the council to take steps to bring under the notice of the department and members of the district the mistaken estimates of the distance and cost of the Milperinka telegraph extension as submitted in the Minister's reply to Mr. Abbott. The council resolved to ask the Postmaster-General for a full report from his officers upon the proposal and also to invite the members for the district to inquire into the matter".

One of the first movements towards obtaining the telegraph line to Milperinka was reported in the Daily Telegraph of 26 June 1889:

"A deputation, consisting of Messrs. J. P. Abbott, Wyman Brown, E. B. L. Dickens, Ms. P., and E. Du Four, waited upon the Postmaster-General yesterday, to request that the telegraph line might be extended to Milparinka and Tibooburra. Mr. Abbott stated that, in 1881, Mr. E. Quinn, member for the district, brought the matter under the notice of the then Postmaster-General, who had expressed an opinion that the line ought to be constructed and had issued instructions for certain preliminary steps to be taken to ascertain the best route. These places, Mr. Abbott pointed out, were, owing to their remoteness, almost cut off from the outer world, coaches often being unable to travel for want of water and grass.

The whole of the district was, however, surveyed and cut into pastoral holdings; it was fully stocked and occupied, every run was fenced and, in ordinary seasons, when grass and water were obtainable, not less than 100,000 head of cattle, besides horses and sheep, travelled over the roads. The drovers in charge of these mobs of travelling stock required to have communication with their principals. Telegraphic connection would greatly develop this district. At present the nearest telegraph stations were Wanaaring and Eurowie and to connect with either of these places would require 110 miles of line. No particular route to connect was suggested, but it was left to the department to decide which to adopt. The immediate necessity only was urged for communication being afforded, but they desired to point out that the work would be less costly if undertaken at once while the country was in a good state and teams could cart poles for the line cheaply.

Mr. O'Connor said that several efforts had been made to have the line of telegraph extended to Milperinka and they had failed. He was thoroughly convinced that the line would not pay, but he was not going to look at it from that point of view because he considered that this department, above all others must not, at the first start, look for immediate profit. He had made up his mind to accede to the request of the deputation".

Another view of the deputation was reported by the Barrier Miner on page 2 of the 25 June 1889 edition. It gives more detail of the route being requested: "A petition with over a thousand signatures has been forwarded to our member, Mr. Wyman Brown, for presentation to the Postmaster-General at Sydney (for it must not be forgotten that we are in the Parkes Land) praying for an extension of the telegraph from Wanaaring, on the Lower Paroo, to Milparinka and Tibooburra. If granted now is the time to call for tenders on account of the present propitious season. It is considered that the line would be certain to prove a financial success, as, owing to our distance from the centres of civilization, all business would be done by wire". In another section of the same newspaper (p. 3), is the article headed The Mount Brown Telegraph - To be at once constructed: "The Minister acceded to the request and promised that the work should be at once proceeded with".

Geographically, the line to Milperinka had the advantage of being closer to the Queensland border. Hungerford could for example be connected more easily. There had also been other considerations of lines in that part of the three Colonies - in particular a proposal to link Innaminka in South Australia with Thargomindah a distance of about 150 miles (hence commensurate with some of the proposals being considered in New South Wales).

A progress report was provided by the Australian Star on 14 January 1890: "The erection of telegraph lines from Wanaaring to Milparinka and from Barringun to Hungerford is nearing completion and, in about three months' time, it is expected the contractor will hand the line over to the Government. Owing to the dryness of the country through which the new lines pass, especially from Wanaaring to Milparinka, those in charge have experienced considerable difficulty and have been without water, except what was expressly carted. Stages of some 50 miles in length had to be arranged. This has had a tendency to delay matters, but it is expected that both lines will be handed over within contract time".

The Sydney Morning Herald of 13 February 1890 reported that "The telegraph line between Wanaaring and Milparinka is completed a distance of 80 miles. The contractor and men are now unable to proceed with the work for want of poles, otherwise the line would have been nearly finished".

 

6. The lines to Queensland.

Enngonia and Barringun.

Lines were constructed to Enngonia and Barringun probably because of the large labour-intensive properties in the area. The Central Australian of 6 January 1877 reported that "The telegraph contractor's manager is here and intends proceeding as speedily as possible with the Queensland line. The scarcity of teams has been a great drawback, but we think the difficulty has been overcome. There are also several line-inspectors here, who are awaiting the commencement of the work. We wonder when this job will be commenced".

By the early 1900s, improved farming methods had reduced the population significantly. Barringun is acknowledged as (just) being in New South Wales. In 1894, Barringun was described in the Australian Handbook as:

'A border township with post, telegraph, money order station and Government Savings Bank ...
Mode of conveyance: per coach to Bourke 90 miles thence per rail.
There are two hotels and a customs station on the Queensland side of the border.
The buildings on the New South Wales side comprise a bonded warehouse, post and telegraph offices, two hotels (Royal Mail and Queensland), a branch of the Commercial Bank, a brewery, two butcher's shops, a few private cottages, a court house and gaol and a public school. Average attendance - 30.
Population about 180.'

Now, in the 21st century, the town has one pub and a population of four. Those who know these things claim that it is quite common in the late afternoon to see half the town's population - the publican and one customer - at the pub!!!

Hungerford.

The situation at Hungerford is a little different. Certainly the town's biggest claim to fame is the story written about it by Henry Lawson. In part of his 1892-93 story about his "long walk", Lawson described Hungerford as follows:

"The town is right on the Queensland border and an inter-provincial rabbit-proof fence - with rabbits on both sides of it -- runs across the main street. ... Hungerford consists of two houses and a humpy in New South Wales, and five houses in Queensland. Characteristically enough, both the pubs are in Queensland. We got a glass of sour yeast at one and paid six pence for it -- we had asked for English ale".

Hungerford and its Post and Telegraph Office must be regarded as being one of those places 'which kept on keeping on'.

Originally the town was regarded as being in New South Wales but it was later found to be in Queensland.

Hungerford
The Royal Mail Hotel which had been the Cobb & Co. depot from 1875.
Source: Wikipedia.
In Summary:

Rutherford

The Sydney Morning Herald of 29 December 1877 noted a new line from Bourke to Rutherford was to be put in circuit before the end of January 1878. It was to be 70 miles long from Bourke and it connected to the Queensland line after passing through the Warrego and Warrinoa districts.

See the Telegraph entry for Rutherfords elsewhere.

 

7. The line from Booligal via Mossgiel and Ivanhoe to Wilcannia.

Mossgiel.

The Sydney Mail of 1 December 1877 carried a review of activities in and around Booligal - part of which was:

"Messrs. Burton and Taylor, the contractors for bridges between here and Mossgiel, are busy preparing to do their part of the work, and now have numbers of men engaged in preliminary operations preparatory to pushing on the principal work. The weather is now perhaps too favourable for speedily finishing these contracts.

I hear that the same firm have the contract for supplying telegraph posts between Hay and this town (Booligal). I am informed also that almost immediately they will commence trimming and drawing posts from the pine ridge, a few miles from here.

I notice that the Dutch in Java use a tree called "copak" for telegraph purposes. The tree is useful as well as ornamental. It is a pity the Government do not use some such trees for telegraph purposes across the plains in New South Wales. For instance, they might be used on the 'Old Man' plains, between Deniliquin and Hay, and on the 'One-tree' plain between Hay and Booligal, and thence across the plains to the Darling. This would break the monotony of the dismal-looking plains which are almost treeless, and without even hillocks to relieve the eye. I notice that the 'copack' requires hilly and dry soil to grow well upon and as for dryness and heat this climate would surely in these respects suit any tropical trees".

The Gazette of 8 February 1881 noted "Tenders were to have been opened on 2nd inst. for construction of a telegraph line from Booligal to Wilcannia, via Mossgiel and Ivanhoe". On 30 March 1881, the Riverine Grazier explained "The necessity for a telegraph line between Wilcannia and Booligal via Ivanhoe and Mossgiel is quite apparent . I understand the tenders called for, to be opened on 1st Feb., were none of them accepted in consequence of the price being so high. Fresh tenders are to be invited to be opened on the 6th or 8th prox., which I trust will be more successful.

They were not successful and so tenders were called again in June.
Advertisement calling for new tenders
to construct the Booligal to Wilcannia line,
20 June 1881.

The Grazier continued: "The great drawback to the erection of a telegraph line on the route above specified is the want of timber for poles, for there is no timber available within 30 or 40 miles of the proposed route. In many places, the distance is greater. It would be much cheaper in the end for the Government to supply iron poles as are used alongside the overland road to Sydney from Melbourne. This part of the country is so overrun with that pest the white ant any other timber than pine could not be made available".

The June 1881 advertisement seemed to have been (partly) successful. Yes - a submitted tender was selected but "the successful tenderer for the telegraph line from Booligal to Wilcannia forfeited his deposit and fresh tenders are being invited. The cause assigned for the forfeiture is the want of timber for poles. It would be much better to supply iron poles for this line, and I think they would come nearly as cheap on many parts, owing to the distance the poles have to be carried".

Nevertheless, "The contract has been accepted, a second time, for the the construction of the telegraph line Booligal to Wilcannia but no steps have been yet been taken to commence the work, although I understand the contractor came as far as Mossgiel. It is to be hoped he has not taken the same steps as the former contractor, viz., forfeited his deposit" (The Riverine Grazier 29 October 1881).

The Correspondent for the Riverine Grazier of 15 March 1882 reported "The telegraph poles are approaching Mossgiel. I hope to be soon able to communicate with you by wire".

Alas tragedy struck: the Albury Banner reported on 31 March 1882 that "A very destructive fire occurred at Mossgiel one night last week, resulting in the total destruction of the Royal Hotel, the property of Mr. F. McGlincey, and lately occupied by Mr. W. Moorhonse. A party of telegraph surveyors, who had that day moved into the hotel from the Mossgiel Hotel where they had been staying, lost everything — surveying instruments, watches and jewellery. Only the cash box was saved".

On 14 June, the Riverine Grazier published an Open Column in which two members of the telegraph line construction party rebuked criticism of progress. They said:

"In your issue of May 24th, your Ivanhoe correspondent states the telegraph line is dragging its way slowly along. For the information of your own, permit us to say that the work was stopped by us on the 22nd March last in consequence of the scarcity of grass and water. Since then no attempt has been make to drag the line along.

Our advertisement for teams did not appear until we had satisfied ourselves, by personal inspection, that the route by which poles have to be hauled had so far benefitted by the first rain as to enable teams to travel without enduring any hardship and, we think, had your correspondent adopted the same means, he would have hesitated before writing a paragraph about the condition of the back country which is to him a 'terra incognita' no doubt. If the same fears beset teamsters which trouble him, it would be some some time, before 'we dragged the line along'. Happily such is not the case, and we hope soon to reach his city of the plain and rub out one of the grievances over which this solitary old man so piteously laments.

Yours faithfully,
CAINE and DIXON.
Camp, Mossgiel, June 7th, 1882".

The September Gazette announced that "A telegraph Office will be opened on 13 instant at Mossgiel".

 

Ivanhoe.

On 20 September 1882, the Riverine Grazier commented "The telegraph line is approaching Ivanhoe. The office has been open to the public at Mossgiel for two weeks (Ed: actually one week) and we hope to have the same to say of Ivanhoe before another month has gone. The surveyor, Mr Dondeney, has just shifted his camp from ten miles back, making Ivanhoe his head quarters until the line is constructed past here. We are now on the verge of communication with the outer world and living here will not be quite so bad as we can speak by wire. Stock drovers can also be communicated with by agents and owners and the station managers can be in direct communication with head quarters. In fact it will create quite a revolution in the back blocks".

The Riverine Grazier of 23 December 1882 continued to reflect the frustration experienced by so many communities - here for Ivanhoe (in part only not the water tanks):

"Twelve months ago the telegraph line - Booligal to Wilcannia - was in course of construction and had its headquarters many miles from Booligal. Wending this way, we were all on the tiptoe of expectation awaiting its completion to Ivanhoe. All remember the past dry season and the suspension of operations for many months when the telegraphic line "dragged its slow length along". I use this latter phrase without any prejudice to Messrs Dixon and Caine contractors — but very few would believe that the telegraph wire has been past here (Ivanhoe) for eight weeks and a telegraph office has been rented by the Government for 3 months, we are yet without the privilege of sending a telegram from Ivanhoe.

It may seem a very small matter, but the parties concerned are very far from thinking so; and I am in a position to state that the Ivanhoe office will return a greater revenue to the Government than the office at Mossgiel where an operator was waiting the arrival of the wire — why is this! Why should Mossgiel have the telegraph office pushed upon them? And why should we at Ivanhoe be advised to petition the department and have that petition ignored? I fail to see why it should be so; does the department simply want to make the Ivanhoe people appear not worthy of consideration when compared to other communities of equal strength and social standing? It would almost appear as though there was a certain amount of toadying to be done to get our lawful rights - and we are quite above anything of that kind".

Finally the Riverine Grazier could announce the good news (on 7 February 1883): "We yesterday received the following telegram direct from our Ivanhoe correspondent — "The long looked for telegraph line is now completed and communication can be had with the rest of civilization. The weather is very dry; no appearance of rain which is much wanted; water getting scarce and stock looking very indifferent". We congratulate our Ivanhoe friends on the opening of telegraphic communication. Ivanhoe will be a very important station to stock owners and all interested in pastoral matters".

Soon after the opening of the Ivanhoe Office, the Riverine Grazier of 17 February 1883 addressed the next stage of construction:

"While on the subject of telegraphs it may not be out of place to note the further construction of the line Booligal to Wilcannia. We are not a very selfish or egotistical community, and on those grounds, I may be excused for saying that we do not care much for the furtherance of the construction to Wilcannia. At the same time I think it a most unheard of action on the part of a contractor to quietly camp whilst there are five miles of posts on the ground not erected and that within a very easy distance of water. One is inclined to think that my remarks made some ten months since, and for which I was taken to task by the contractor, will be very applicable this year again viz "The telegraph line is dragging its slow length along". That it is so, there is no denying, and that it will continue to do so there is very little doubt, and I hearty wish our Wilcannia friends perfect joy at the prospect".

The Grazier added to its previous stories on 31 March 1883 by linking two of the critical issues of outback life: "We find the telegraph station a great boon and we would not like to be without the luxury now. Although it may not pay very well yet it is only a question of time when it will be highly remunerative, it would be so now if stock could travel up and down, which they cannot do for the want of water. This ought to be another inducement to the Government. to make tanks, the leasing of the tanks will pay interest on the capital expended on their excavation, through stock being able to travel all the year round, and the constant traffic would cause a great increase in the revenue of the local telegraph office so that both would pay".

 

8. The inter-colonial operations from the Far West.

After the lines to the various, widely-dispersed townships in this region had been constructed, the network had to be made operational. As with any network for communications, alternative branches were essential.

As noted above, the lines to Bourke were critical - from Milperinka as well as the lines from Queensland. Messages to Sydney, Brisbane and other places could be repeated or on-transmitted at Bourke east to Tamworth or southeast via Cobar and Dubbo to Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.

Messages sent from telegraph stations further south - say from around Broken Hill and Wilcannia - used a more southern route. Such messages would be sent to South Australia (especially Adelaide), to Victoria (especially Melbourne) and along the southern parts of the Riverina - Murray region of NSW. These messages would be sent to Wentworth for transmission to Deniliquin for repeating. Some messages would also be sent through Booligal and Hillston to Deniliquin or Wagga Wagga,

The Barrier Miner of 11 March 1890 addressed the issues of only having single lines and its excellent analysis with examples can be accessed elsewhere. The article makes the following points:

  • the line from Broken Hill to Adelaide worked well but the lines to Melbourne or Sydney were frequently interrupted or broken especially at busy times;
  • the Government should try to endeavor to annul the geographical difficulties by providing secure, speedy and direct means of communication in every way that science can devise - by rail, by post and by telegraph;
  • a study of the telegraph lines connecting Broken Hill with Melbourne and Sydney shows that a single line only runs from Broken Hill to Menindie in the direction of both these cities. This line to the Darling was about 80 miles in length; but, comparatively short as it is, it figures as a great defaulter. With the Menindie line "down", Broken Hill is cut off from all communication east. Unfortunately, it often is interfered with from one cause or the other, and the necessity has become apparent for a duplicate line over this section.
  • Both Melbourne and Sydney messages travel over the same 180 mile wire from Menindie to Wentworth;
  • messages from Broken Hill and other places are carried over the same wires from Wentworth to Deniliquin which have been erected on country with frequent floods and frequent interruptions occur.
  • The Adelaide direct telegraph line to Sydney comes in at Wentworth and thence not only solely monopolises one of the two wires to Deniliquin but also, in cases of a break down, its own wire appropriates the other, thus cutting off Broken Hill from both Sydney and Melbourne, save by a circuitous route, not always obtainable or ever reliable, via Menindie, Wilcannia and Hay and so to Deniliquin.
  • It is certainly not "good Government for the district" (to quote Sir Henry Parkes' words) that the direct communication with the rest of this colony and with Victoria should hang upon a single thread of wire traversing vast unoccupied stretches of country and open to all kinds of accidents from floods and other causes. Even a flying turkey has been known to obstruct the current which carries important messages between Broken Hill and the eastern and south-eastern parts.