Argus 20 July 1876:
We learn by telegraph that the steamer Ly-ee-Moon, engaged by the various Australian Governments to run with cable messages between Port Darwin and Banjoewangie, arrived at Port Darwin yesterday afternoon, at 20 minutes past 6 o'clock. In the absence of any satisfactory information regarding the condition of the cable between Java and Singapore, we scarcely know when to expect European intelligence by the Ly-ee-Moon, but under the most favourable circumstances 10 or 12 days must elapse before she can return to Port Darwin with despatches. As to the Port Darwin cable, we have no information whatever, nothing having been heard of the repairing steamer Edinburgh for many days. On the 9th inst, she had discovered a second fault in the cable, and a message was sent along the wire to Port Darwin to the effect that the line would be put right in about two days, but since then not a word has been received concerning either the cable or the repairing steamer. Respecting the movements of the Ly-ee-moon, we are requested to state that she will leave Port Darwin for Banjoewangie at 5 o'clock this afternoon. Messages for Europe and the East will be received at the head Telegraph office, Elizabeth Street (Melbourne) , up to 2 p.m., but it is advisable that messages should be presented as early as possible.
Maitland Mercury 31 July 1890:
THE BREAKS IN THE CABLES.
The following report has been received from the Eastern Extension and Telegraph Company's C.S. Sherard Osborn, now engaged repairing the Java-Australia cables: Recovered Roebuck Bay cable 58 knots from Banjoewangie. Grappling for Roebuck Bay cables since 21st instant ; cables apparently buried. Now busy with Roebuck end, and continue grappling. There were three breaks in the duplicate cable, 29, 34, and 40 knots respectively from Banjoewangie. Only the northern end of the first and southern end of the third were recovered. Picked up 20-59 knots of cable and abandoned 9-43 knots.
Argus 29 August 1876:
With reference to the submarine telegraph, the following message was received at the Melbourne office yesterday from Singapore: "Until the Madras cable is repaired, a fast steamer will be kept running between Penang and Moulmein to take telegrams. She leaves Penang next Friday evening or Saturday morning. The hour of departure will be notified. The passage will be done in from two to two and a half days and the steamer will stay in port a few hours only."
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/5901149?searchTerm=ivanhoe%20telegraph&searchLimits=sortby=dateAsc|||l-state=Victoria|||dateFrom=1876-01-01|||dateTo=1876-12-31
The Argus 22 Nov. 1876:
There is every prospect of direct cable communication being speedily resumed with Europe, as the repairing steamer Edinburgh is now engaged on the Singapore and Batavia section, and the completion of the necessary repairs is hourly expected. The next steamer is due at Batavia from Singapore on Friday next, the 24th instant. With reference to the movements of the Batavia steamers, the superintendent of telegraphs at Adelaide has telegraphed to the Melbourne office stating that mails will leave Batavia on the 24th inst and 2nd, 8th, 22nd, and 30th December, but extra steamers leave Batavia, Samarang and Sourabaya, of which it is only possible to obtain very short notices. Mails are due at Batavia on the 26th and 30th inst. and 9th prox, but several extra steamers are expected to arrive between those dates.
Capricornian 15 December 1877:
It is impossible to repress an expression of disgust at the prolonged cable interruption. At present there is little prospect of European news for a another week, when for one day the public will be surfeited with messages in diary form and embracing the events of some fifteen days. As these will probably include the fall of Plevna, the renewal of peace negotiations, and the possible embroilment of the mother country with Russia on the Eastern question, there is natural anxiety to hear the best or worst at once. One advantage is likely to follow from the cable interruption, however. The public mind will be prepared for the expenditure necessary to secure a duplicate cable for Australia cannot afford to be wholly cut off from intercourse with Europe for a fortnight at a stretch.
Argus 28 November 1877:
Telegraphic communication with Europe is in even a more unsatisfactory condition than was the case last month. The Port Darwin and Java cable has now given way and some time must elapse before it can be repaired. The break, which is believed to be situated about 250 miles from Port Darwin, occurred on the 8th inst. and, since then, we have been dependent on the steamers of the Netherlands India Steam Navigation Company, which ply between Banjoewangie and Port Darwin, in compliance with an agreement entered into between the company and the various Australian Governments. On the 20th inst., a batch of telegrams, containing European news to the 13th inst, was brought to Port Darwin and was distributed by telegraph throughout Australia. But since that date we have been without intelligence of home affairs. While such important events are transpiring in Europe, this obstruction of the accustomed channels of communication is borne with the highest degree of impatience.
See also the Sydney Morning Herald of 21 July 1890 page 5 for discussion of interruptions to cable communication with Europe due to a submarine earthquake.
In addition, the following extract from the 1877 Report of Victoria on page 14 provides the details of discussions about the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company and implications of breaks in the cables.