SIR JOHN HAYasked the Postmaster General, If he has received any information with reference to a material for insulating telegraphic wires named "Braie;" whether that material has been adopted by the Dutch Government; and, if he proposes to order any professional inquiry with a view to report on its comparative cost and utility?
§ MR. MONSELL, in reply, said, his attention had been called to the material, which was a preparation of coal tar. Five years ago the Dutch Government tried experiments with it which were not very successful; but he had received from them a letter to the effect that they were about to try new experiments, their opinion being that a perfect judgment could not be formed upon the last trial. They stated, further, that upon the whole the material was not unfavourably thought of. The scientific officers of the Post Office Department had taken the matter into their consideration, and their opinion as yet was not favourable to the adoption of "Braie" as an insulator.