§ MR. HENNIKER HEATON (Canterbury)I beg to ask the Civil Lord of the Admiralty what vessel was employed in the survey of the ocean from Vancouver to Australia, with a view to the laying of a cable between these ports; for what period was the vessel employed, and why was the work terminated before completion; and whether the Australian and Canadian Governments were immediately informed that the vessel had been taken off the work?
SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHNo vessel has ever been employed for the purpose stated. The Egeria was, in 1888, sent to search for reported dangers in the Pacific, and to survey certain islands, and was instructed to obtain soundings in the course of her work, which might be useful in case of a cable being some day laid. She was so employed for two years and a half, when urgent demands led to her being sent elsewhere. Colonial Governments receive communications with regard only to those surveys of which they share the expense.