§ SIR EDWARD WATKINI beg to ask the Postmaster General what is the cause of the delay in laying the cable, contracted for by Her Majesty's Government with a private company, between Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Bermuda; and, when may the public expect that the cable will be in operation?
§ *MR. JACKSONUnder the power given to the Treasury by Section 4 of the contract with the International Cable Company, which was approved by the House of Commons on May 9 last, the time allowed for laying the cable has been extended to Midsummer next, so as to avoid the risks attending any attempt to lay the cable during the winter months. I am not able to state the precise date when the cable will be available for traffic. No doubt the company will do all in its power to complete at the earliest date, because the subsidy does not become payable until the cable is in working order.