History of wireless telegraphy and broadcasting in Australia/Topical/Biographies/William Philip Bechervaise/Notes/1850s

1856 11
Construction of the Melbourne-Ballarat telegraph line progresses "We are glad to report that the telegraphic line to Ballarat is hastening towards completion, and during the week its course into Geelong has been pegged out. Entering the township by the Ballarat road, the line passes through Church street, turns into Pakington street near the Telegraph road, skirts along Aberdeen street up to its junction with Ryrie street, and then taking straight course to Bellerine street. It is expected that this end of the line will be completed next week and as the length to be put up at the Ballarat end does not exceed ten miles, and the required timber is there very close at hand, we may shortly took for the privilege of speedy communication with the gold-fields of the western district."

Tenders called for the construction of the Ballarat telegraph station where Bechervaise was to spend over three decades "Public Works Office, Melbourne, 3rd November, 1856. Erection of an Electric Telegraph Station at Ballarat. TENDERS will be received until eleven o'clock, on Tuesday, 25th Nov., 1856, for the erection of an Electric Telegraph Station, at Ballarat. Plan and specification may be seen at this office, and at the office of the Resident Warden, at Ballarat. Tenders to be endorsed 'Tender for Electric Telegraph Station at Ballarat, and addressed (if by post prepaid) to the Chairman of the Tender Board, Melbourne. The Board will not necessarily accept the lowest or any tender. (Signed) C. PASLEY, Commissioner of Public Works."

First report of the site for the Ballarat telegraph station "ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH — Tenders have been called for the erection of the telegraph station here, we understand that the station will be built on the corner of the camp, opposite the Bank of Australasia, and that we may expect the line to be completed by the middle of next month. We cannot but approve of the choice of the site selected for the station."

The construction of the Melbourne-Ballarat telegraph line nears completion "Local Intelligence. THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.— The telegraph is now completed from Mount Buninyong to Geelong, and the contractor is busily employed forming the posts in the vicinity of Buninyong Township. In less than three weeks, we are informed, the line will be completed in its whole length, and the benefits of telegraphic communication extended to this district."

As previous, further progress "Local Intelligence. ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.— The posts for the electric telegraph are now laid down along the main road through the whole of its length nearly, and in a few days we may expect to see them erected, and the line of communication completed between Ballarat and Geelong."

1856 12
The first telegraph messages between Melbourne and Ballarat received 3 Dec 1856 on temporary equipment "THE STAR. THURSDAY, 4TH DECEMBER, 1856. THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH. THE first telegraphic communication between Ballarat and Melbourne, and vice versa, took place yesterday afternoon at twenty minutes past three o'clock. At that hour Mr McGowan, the Superintendent of the telegraphic department in this colony, communicated to Mr Childers the pleasing intelligence of the completion of the communication between this and the metropolis. The message being conveyed to Mr Childers, while attending to his duties in the Lower House, was at once communicated by him to the members present, who received it with great applause. A message was also sent at same time to Mr Haines, to which no reply was returned, owing to that gentleman having left his office earlier than usual, in consequence of receiving intelligence by the Marco Polo of the death of his mother. Last evening, about eight o'clock, the representatives of the. . . . Ballarat were invited by Mr. .. . . the Telegraph. There being no office accommodation ready at present, the spot selected was the last post near the Unicorn Hotel on the Township. A wire was carried from the post to a small testing machine placed on a stump at its base, and thence — to secure moisture — carried to the stream adjoining, which runs from Mr Bath's claim. For a considerable time no notice was taken of the repeated attempts of Mr McGowan to obtain a 'hearing,' and it was hinted that the 'Pivot' had become jealous and had cut off the communication. About half-past eight, however, a responsive — click — click — was obtained, and the cause of delay was then stated to have been the transmission of a message to Geelong. Mr Humffray, who was at the Melbourne station, then transmitted the following remarks to Mr McGowan — 'The establishment of Electric Telegraph communication between Ballarat and Melbourne is a far more pleasing event to celebrate on the anniversary of the 3rd of December than stockades and massacres.— Yours faithfully — J. B. HUMFFRAY.' The following shipping intelligence was then received. ARRIVED AT THE HEADS YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY). 5.30 a.m., Governor-General, st., from Sydney. Dove, sch., from Western Port. 6.30 a.m., Eagle, sch., from Sydney. 7 a.m., Champion, st., from Portland. 2.50 p.m., Alboni, ship, from New York, 21st August, with 51 passengers, and a general cargo; Flower, McLaren & Co., agents. 3. p.m., Emily Alison, sch., from Hobart Town. 5.35 p.m., Mimmie Dike, three-masted sch., from Wellington, N.Z. 6. p.m., Cairngorm, ship, from Liverpool. Royal Saxon, barque, from Calcutta. SAILED FROM THE HEADS. 7 a.m. Marco Polo, for Hobson's Bay. 3.40. a.m., Queen, st, for Launceston. ARRIVED IN HOBSON'S BAY. 7.30. a.m., Governor General, st, for Sydney. Debsons, sch, from Launceston. 10.55. a.m., Janet Dixon, sch, from Launceston. 12 noon, Marco Polo, from Liverpool. 6 p.m., Maid of the Valley, sch, from Launceston. SAILED FROM HOBSON'S BAY. 6.30. a.m., Time and Truth, barque, for Hong Kong. Queen, st, for Launceston. Mr McGowan (who all this while, was reading the messages merely by sound — the click, click, click, so monotonous and unmeaning to those around, being to him symbols of ideas as clear and as vivid as though uttered by the voice of a practised speaker,) then enquired whether anything important had taken place in the House during the afternoon. In a few minutes the crowd which by this time numbered some fifty or sixty eager and enquiring individuals, was informed that in the Legislative Assembly Mr Goodman presented a petition against the return of David Blair, Esq., M.L.A., for the county of Talbot. The prayer of the petition was that the election be considered null and void. Nothing else worthy of notice had taken place. After a few unimportant or at least private messages had been transmitted by Mr McGowan to the officials in Melbourne, the friendly intercourse was put an end to about nine o'clock. No words of ours can over-estimate the importance of such an event as that which we have new chronicled; the facts speak for themselves. In all the important events that may now agitate the great Australian continent, our pulse will beat time with that of the metropolitan city, though for a year or two we still, so far as mere material intercourse is concerned, will be subject to the delays and difficulties attendant upon travelling in the bush."

Opening of the Melbourne-Ballarat telegraph line but briefly mentioned in the Legislative Assembly "LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY. Wednesday 3rd December. In the Legislative Assembly there was rather a strong muster of members, there being a general impression that the second reading of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill would be brought on. As will be observed, however, it was postponed to Wednesday next. Mr Childers announced that the first line of electric telegraph communication had been completed, and that the Government had that day received by it a message of a very gratifying nature from Ballarat."

McGowan agrees the release of shipping and other news prior to official opening of the Ballarat telegraph station which is much awaited "BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH. Through the kindness of Mr McGowan we are enabled to present to our readers Melbourne news up to 4 p.m., on Thursday. ARRIVED AT QUEESCLIFFE. 4th December, 4.45. a.m., Renata, Prussian ship, from Sweden. 10.40. a.m., Oscar I, ship, from Gottenburg. 10.5. am, Imana Brons, barque, from Hamburg. 1.5. p.m. Tasmanian Maid, steamer, under canvas, from Middlesbro', via Cape of Good Hope. 1. 45., p.m., Toroa, schooner, from Warnambool. 2.45., p.m., Caroline, schooner, from Western Port. SAILED FROM THE HEADS. 5., a.m., Sybil, schooner, for King's Island. 7.30., a.m., Douglas, schooner, for Sealers' Cove. India, barque, for Guam. Flying Fish, schooner, for Hobarton. Time and Truth, barque, for Hong Kong. 8.20., a.m., Mercury, brig, for Launceston. 10.20., am., Royal Shepherd, steamer, for Launceston. ARRIVED IN HOBSON'S BAY. Alboni, ship, from New York. Mimmie Dyke, three-masted schooner, from New Zealand. Emily Alison, schooner, from Hobart Town. 6.30., am., Cairngorm, ship, from Liverpool. 11.50., Royal Swan, barque, for Calcutta. 12.15., p.m., Imana Brons, barque, from Hamburg. SAILED. Mercury, brig, for Launceston; Monarch, barque, for Sydney; Royal Shepherd, steamer, for Launceston. 1.45., p.m. H. M.'s steamer, Victoria, for Geelong, with His Excellency, Major-General McArthur on board. Melbourne, 4 p.m. There are no other important news. Melville's case will be re-argued to-morrow before a full court. No clue has yet been obtained of the murderer of Miss Lewis. A strict investigation, however, is going on. The opening of telegraphic communication be-tween Ballarat and Melbourne is a great topic of conversation in Melbourne to day. Many enquiries are hourly made as to when the line will be open to the public. 4.20 p.m. In the Legislative Assembly, Mr Syme gave notice that he would ask the Chief Secretary when the Report of the Mining Commission would be laid on the table of the House."

The telegraph station at Ballarat (soon to be opened) features in an overall report of Ballarat's progress "STILL PROGRESSING.— While Ballarat proudly maintains the position of the metropolitan gold field of Victoria, it gives indications of long continuing to do so, it is no small gratification to find that we are making steady progress in other departments of industry which will go to make this the first among the inland districts in other ways. We have, already two flour mills in a forward state, and a third contemplated at Burrambeet, then we have our newly founded District Road Board, and our Agricultural Society. The Electric Telegraph will soon be in full working order, and it is likely to be laid down to Raglan, on the way to Adelaide, via Port Fairy, Portland, &c., we may take the benefits immediately to be derived from this means of communication, as but a small portion of those to be eventually gained to us. Then we have a foundry, small no doubt, but useful even now, and likely to be more so shortly. We hear too that soap works are about to be established and carried on with spirit. Our Ballarat brewers have made a name for the district even when compared with those of the metropolis. So also have our brick and tile makers. We have a tannery in full operation and likely soon to go far to supply our own market. Bookbinding, &c, can also be done on Ballarat as elegantly as in the metropolis, by skilled workmen, as may be seen in another column. Time would fail us to tell of the thousand and one things which go to prove that we are fast emerging from that semi-barbarous state which has been but too long considered to be inseparable from gold seeking. True we have yet much to do, but a commencement has been made, and that is oftener worse to do than it is to carry on with ordinary perseverance."

Great expansion predicted for the Victorian telegraph network "THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.— Great as the advantages will be of a telegraphic communication between Ballarat and Geelong and Melbourne, its application will not be allowed to rest there. Already the line is marked out between this and Raglan, Fiery Creek, and in a few months it is probable the wires will be carried to that gold field. Thence it is intended to continue the line down the banks of the Hopkins, and across the plains to Warnambool and Belfast, from which place Portland and ultimately Adelaide will be reached, if the South Australians will be liberal enough to meet us at the boundary of the colonies at Mount Gambier. To the northward, it is intended to establish a communication from this place with Castlemaine and Bendigo; the route is not yet decided on, but we presume it will be via Creswick and Jim Crow, or perhaps by way of Daisy Hill and Maryboro'. The cost of these lines will be a mere trifle compared with the advantages that the colony will reap from the speedy communication of intelligence between all parts of the colony. The cost of constructing a line is only about £60 or £70 a mile. Two hundred miles will thus cost no more than the Governor's salary. When the Estimates come before the House, we hope that a sufficient sum will be found placed on them to connect all the gold fields with each other, and with the principal seaports; and should the Government have neglected this important desideratum, we trust that the independent members will endeavor to provide a remedy."

Local intelligence reveals the likely first appointee Mr James Baker as station master at the Ballarat telegraph station "MR. JAMES BAKER.— We are informed that this gentleman has received the appointment of master of the telegraph station about to be opened here, and that he is now in the Melbourne office, acquiring a knowledge of his duties. From Mr Baker's well-known ability and energy, we maybe assured that the appointment will give general satisfaction."

James Baker still in Melbourne learning telegraphy, Editor of the Star notes the value of telegraphy "TELEGRAPH OFFICE.— A temporary office for telegraphic purposes has been opened on the Camp Hill, near the Local Court. Mr Baker has not yet returned from town, where he is acquainting himself with the occult mysteries of this chef d'oeuvre of modern science. We hear he is likely to return in about a week or ten days time. . . . SIGNS OF PROGRESS.— Having occasion to refer to some important documents, which could only be procured in Gelong, we telegraphed for them about 11 o'clock yesterday morning, and through the courtesy of the Criterion Coach Company, a large parcel was delivered to us at half-past seven in the evening. An instance of facility for the dispatch of business which those engaged in it will well know how to appreciate."

1857 06
Parliament decides to utilise telegraph stations to implement a system of postal money orders "BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH. Melbourne, Friday, 7 p.m. . . . Mr Ebden said the Government was most anxious to establish the system of money orders, and the business would be carried on by employing the telegraph station masters to attend to it, the employment of the telegraph in the matter, would be an additional benefit. The motion was carried with the substitution of 1858 for 1857. (House left sitting.)"

1858 02
Editorial for the Ballarat Star on the removal of the Ballarat Telegraph Station Master to Portland under a cloud "THE STAR. DAILY ISSUE. MONDAY, 1ST FEBRUARY, 1858. MR BAKER'S REMOVAL. IN another column will be found a report of the special meeting of the Eastern Municipal Council, held on Saturday last, to consider the propriety of memorialising the Government to retain the services of Mr James Baker in the telegraph department here. The announcement of Mr Baker's intended removal to Portland was made known on Friday, and several of his friends conceiving that such a step was injurious to his interests, immediately set themselves to procure an expression of public sympathy in favor of his retention at the Ballarat station. Several of the members and the Chairmen of the Municipal Councils were called upon, and the latter were requested to call special meetings of their councils to consider the matter. This was accordingly done, and the Eastern Council met on Saturday forenoon, at eleven o'clock, and the Western one at seven o'clock in the evening. The latter body refused to entertain the matter at all, and the former, after agreeing to consider it, and after hearing some of the grounds for Mr Baker's removal, thought it better not to remonstrate against the action that had been taken by the Government. It is a matter of regret that, through the rashness of some foolish friends, Mr Baker's management of the Electric Telegraph station here should have been dragged so prominently before the public, and that such fervent panegyrics should have been bestowed on him in a quarter where, above all others, their impropriety, if not untruth, must have been only too well known. The notice taken by the Government of the impropriety of official conduct alleged against Mr Baker is, after all, a very lenient one. It is not stated that the salary of the Portland station will be less than that of Ballarat, and as removal from one locality to another is a practice long established in the Government service, and one which, for various reasons, is often found highly necessary, there was little real cause for dissatisfaction, or even disapproval by Mr Baker or his friends. There was every reason indeed that the change should have been accepted by Mr Baker in quietness if not with thankfulness, as affording him the opportunity of escaping from the toils of designing and unprincipled men, who have been artfully using him for the purpose of furthering their own ends, utterly reckless at the same time of the danger they were leading him to incur, or of the discredit which they were sure ultimately to bring on the establishment with which he is connected. We have no desire to dilate on this matter. In reply to the insinuation which were pretty freely made by some of Mr Baker's friends on Friday and Saturday, as to the motives which have actuated us towards that gentleman, we beg to refer our readers to the report to which we have already alluded. We cannot dismiss the subject however, without drawing attention to some remarks that appeared in our local con-temporary on Saturday last. Reference is there made in very uncomplimentary terms 'to some one, a little above Mr Baker officially, and still not so high in the public service as to be directly amenable to the censure of the public.' If this has any meaning at all, it is meant for Mr McGowan, the Superintendent of the Electric Telegraph Department, who, the writer wishes his readers to infer, has been acting in this matter out of 'mere wantonness or caprice.' Those who know that officer need not to be told by us that such a charge is as unjust as it is malicious, and from our knowledge of the facts of the case, we can aver, if error there has been, it has been on the side of a too patient forbearance, and a too lenient over-looking. Had Mr Baker been removed some months ago, he would have escaped the dangers to which, he has fallen a victim. The tenor of our contemporary's article, where, specially referring to the present case, it alludes to the importance of persons through whom telegraphic messages pass being beyond the suspicion of unfaithfulness or imprudence, will perhaps surprise those who are unacquainted with its tactics and its rules of conduct, but no others. As a somewhat significant comment on the attitude thus assumed by our contemporary, we would direct attention to the copy of the telegraphic slip which was furnished it from a source which it designates as being 'beyond the suspicion of either unfaithfulness or imprudence.' In conclusion we will say that Mr Baker has much reason to regret that the common sense of his ally has fallen so far short of its zeal on his behalf as to lead it, by indiscreet babbling, and by unprincipled praise to draw public attention to shortcomings which in pity would otherwise have never been made prominent, and of which the cause and the memory would have been both removed had Mr Baker been allowed to pass quietly to another district. As the case now stands, we question very much whether Portland or any other township in the colony will submit, without strong remonstrance, to have their 'family or their business secrets' entrusted to one who has here proved himself to be so unworthy of his position."

Council debate reveals the reason for Bechervaise's predecessor's removal from Ballarat to Portland telegraph office - breach of confidence "EASTERN MUNICIPAL COUNCIL. A special meeting of this body was held on Saturday last, at 11 a.m. There were present the Chairman, and Councillors Scrase, Wilson, Belford, McCleverty, and Jones. The Chairman stated that he had at the request of two members of the Council, and some parties lately connected with the Local Court, called the present meeting, to consider the propriety of adopting a memorial to the Government on the subject of the removal of Mr Baker, Telegraph Station Master on Ballarat, to Portland. The matter was hardly a Municipal one, but as it had been brought under his notice in such a peculiar way, he had at once issued his summonses. The Town Clerk then read the following petition, being the one brought before the Council by the persons referred to for them to sign:— 'To his Excellency Sir Henry Barkly, &c., &c. 'The memorial of the Municipal Council of Ballarat East humbly sheweth — 'That your memorialists have heard with sincere regret that it is intended to remove to Portland, the Ballarat Telegraph Station Master, Mr James Baker. Your memorialists would therefore beg to remind your Excellency, that when this gentleman was appointed to his present office it was looked upon as a graceful and just recognition by the Government of untiring services for the better regulation of this gold-field. And as Mr Baker, by his attention and fitness to his present duties has maintained the confidence of the people, your memorialists would respectfully urge upon your Excellency to induce the management of the department in which Mr Baker is employed to reconsider and alter their intent. ' Your memorialists therefore hope and trust that the people of Ballarat will be per-mitted to retain an officer in whom they have every confidence, and who has given universal satisfaction; and that your Excellency will be pleased to order that Mr Baker shall remain in his present position, and your memorialists will ever pray, &c.' Mr Miskelly, who was present, stated that the various members of that Council had been waited upon, and that it was after the circumstances had been somewhat made known that the memorial had been prepared for their signatures. Cr. Belford said he had not been consulted in the matter. It was now with great regret that he rose to oppose the adoption of the memorial in toto. Mr Baker and his friends had acted very unadvisedly in bringing the matter forward so publicly. For reasons which everybody knew, a stationmaster was necessarily made the receptacle of a vast amount of confidence, and it very frequently happened that matters of grave interest were staked in the proper preservation of secrecy. Mr Baker had been removed he believed upon strong suspicions for betraying that confidence, and he asked were the Council prepared to admit the memorial under such circumstances? Though he did not think the Council competent to take the subject into consideration at all he was prepared, in case they did consider it, to bring documentary evidence in proof of his assertion. Cr Belford then read, as apropos to the matter, a paragraph from the Times' leading article of that morning which, speaking in high praise of Mr Baker, added, ' we allude to the fact that very much of the use-fulness and value of the telegraph depends upon the esteem in which the station master is held. Messages are constantly being sent which involve business and family secrets, and it is of the very utmost importance that the persons through whom they pass should be beyond the suspicion of either unfaithfulness or imprudence.' If the Council were prepared to take the matter up as a public body he was prepared to show that Mr Baker had acted in direct contravention of the sentence in that paragraph. The Chairman stated that the real question was whether they were to consider the case at all. Secrecy in telegraphic messages was a matter so important that he had known men ruined by a betrayal of confidence. Cr McCleverty said the Government could not have acted without some reason, and it would be injudicious in that Council to deal with it. He thought it would be better for Mr Baker were the matter not dealt with publicly. Cr Wilson thought if Mr Baker had done wrong the Government would have discharged Mr Baker. He moved that the memorial be considered. Cr Jones seconded the motion, which was carried Cr Belford said, in rising to propose 'That the memorial be not recognised,' he would make a short statement. He might say that on the entrance into office of Mr Baker no one had a better feeling towards him than himself and partner, Mr Wanliss, the editor of the Star, though after a little time had elapsed a belief arose that they had reason for suspicion that Mr Baker was not acting properly, which induced them both to be very watchful. He might remind the Council that a large portion of the revenue from the telegraph was derived from the newspapers, and the proprietors were compelled to keep reporters in various parts of the country on high salaries, who communicated all intelligence of importance. Would not the Council think it highly reprehensible in a telegraph clerk, after the proprietors of one paper had incurred such expense, that he should furnish this intelligence to another paper that did not pay for it. The merest accident supplied the proof in the in-stance he would refer to. Some English intelligence arrived on one occasion, and the news was furnished to the Times from Queenscliffe, and to the Star from Melbourne. Mr Wanliss, the editor of the Star, received, among several telegraphic slips enclosed in the same envelop, one which he did not at first understand. Upon closer examination it proved to be a private communication from Mr Baker to the Times, evidently correcting an error in the Times reporter's message from the special information conveyed to the Star, which slip had been inadvertently placed by Mr Baker in the wrong envelop, and had thus reached a destination that was never intended for it. Part of the message sent by the Star correspondent stated that some feelings of alarm were excited by the continued decrease of bullion at the Bank of England. The slip of Mr Baker's read as follows:— 'Dated Dec. 17, 1857. 'Message for the Times.' 'I think your reporter has made a mistake in saying 'Bank of France.' I have reason to believe it should be the Bank of England where the bullion is reported as decreasing, &c. 'JAMES BAKER.' He asked them was it just or proper that those who pay for messages should be so treated, or whether the person who thus acted deserved public sympathy on seeing the trust so glaringly betrayed. Of course, himself and partner had no other course, in self-defence, than to lay the whole circumstances of the case before the Telegraph Department. Certain correspondence ensued, and out of leniency, perhaps, the Government had determined to remove Mr Baker from the place where his friends and former position made him peculiarly open to temptations, which, both he and the Council, he was sure could fully appreciate. Neither he nor his partner had desired to make the case public, till on such an occasion as this their public and private duties rendered such a course compulsory. On the evidence laid before them, as well as on account of other complaints, the Government had ordered Mr Baker's removal; and he now asked the Council, as a public body, was it desirable that Mr Baker should remain? Mr Wanliss (who was present) begged to state, that in the correspondence held with the Government, the proprietors of the Star only asked that the matter should be enquired into. Cr McCleverty seconded Cr Belford's motion. He had come to the Council prepared to sign the memorial, or do anything else which should benefit Mr Baker. The in-formation the Council had received had altered his opinion, and he felt that both in a public and mercantile point of view, such conduct would lead to the direst consequences. During the panic, which was now, he trusted, nearly over, hundreds might have been ruined by the most trifling violation of trust. Cr Scrase did not see but that Mr Baker might have received the information from private sources. The Chairman.— That's the light in which I see it. Is there — Cr McCleverty.— If Mr Baker had received such information, he had no right to make such a use of it. Cr Belford stated that duplicates of every message were preserved, and if this private message had existed, the head of the Telegraph Department would never have taken the course he had. The Chairman said he had known and respected Mr Baker for a long time, and the Local Court had received vast benefits from him. He regretted that he had not been acquainted with these facts before. Cr Wilson had felt so strongly that when Messrs Miskelly and Frazer called upon him he had almost promised his signature, and that was his reason for pressing the subject before the Council. He could not sign now, and after such a breach of faith, he thought the sooner they were rid of the subject the better. Mr Miskelly said he had never intended to impose on Cr Wilson, having himself been in ignorance of the facts brought forward by Cr Belford. He still, however, doubted whether the full offence could be proved. The Chairman then put the motion, which was carried unanimously. The matter then lapsed."

A further editorial by the Ballarat Star leaves Bechervaise's predecessor in a poor light "THE STAR. DAILY ISSUE. WEDNESDAY, 3rd FEBRUARY, 1858. Mr BAKER'S DEFENCE. IF there be any special quality that may be supposed to be antagonistic to that divine afflatus with which some men are said to be inspired, and which gifts them with wisdom superior to their kind, there can be little doubt that a more than ordinary dispensation of it has fallen to the lot of Mr Baker, and his friends and abettors. ln the few remarks which on Monday last we felt bound to make on the conduct of that misguided individual, we treated him with a forbearance which unfortunately has been entirely misunderstood, and which it is now unnecessary in the same degree to repeat. As his case then stood before the public, he seemed to have fallen a victim — as weak-minded men generally do — to the injudicious meddling of his friends, and to the unprincipled and over fervent advocacy of his journalistic aider and abettor. His only safety lay in being let alone. He had committed what even under the most favorable interpretation must be characterised as a very grave indiscretion, in a position where indiscretion may be said to be a misdemeanor against good faith; and the reproof of removal that was administered to him was of a character so kindly and so forbearing, that to us it is a matter of surprise it was not accepted with thankfulness as well as satisfaction. Unfortunately for Mr Baker's official career as well as for his private character, he would not kiss the rod which was held out to him so tenderly and so forgivingly. He surrendered himself to the evil suggestions of his friends, and to the rather overpowering influence of what he considered due to his own self-importance, and the result is such as might have been expected — his resignation of office, and the publication of a very foolish and very rambling letter in the columns of our contemporary, which compels us again to allude to a subject which, in pity to Mr Baker, and out of respect for the character of that department of the public service to which he is attached, we would gladly have let drop. In reply to the principal charge brought against him, of transmitting to our contemporary, intelligence corrected from the report forwarded to us by our Melbourne correspondent, Mr Baker states that when he first read the message to the Times, it occurred to him that the 'Bank of France' had by mistake been substituted for the 'Bank of England.' This is a mistake that would be likely enough to occur to a newspaper correspondent, whose communication on the arrival of English news is the fruit of a hurried and cursory examination of the first newspapers that come to hand; but there is hardly a possibility of its being that of a telegraph transmitting clerk, who reads slowly and carefully from copy lying before him, or of a receiving one, who spells out the words as they are received and noted by the instrument of which he has charge. It is hardly possible that Mr Baker, unless he is more careless and inefficient than we believe he is, could make such a mistake as to read off 'France' for 'England.' The mistake must have lain with our contemporary's correspondent, and it was therefore no business of Mr Baker's to correct it. Nay, more, when he knew that there was a rival journal which had received, or might receive, correct information, his conduct, as stated by himself, and after placing the most favorable construction on it, is totally indefensible. He had no right, by exercising any of the privileges of his position as master of the telegraph station here, to endeavor to furnish our contemporary with information as correct as that which we had received. Such a course is virtually destructive of all competition, and however earnestly Mr Baker, as a private individual, may sympathise with the crotchets of our contemporary, it was indiscreet of him in the extreme, as a public officer sworn to secrecy and to good faith, to furnish it with information to which it was not fairly entitled. We are now reasoning from Mr Baker's own statement of his conduct, and it is thus evident that, let it be viewed as it may, it will not admit of vindication. Till the proper time for publication arrives, the privacy of the news we receive is as important to us, as is that of a strictly private communication on family or business matters to any individual in the community. It would appear that Mr Baker has so surrendered himself to the designs and manouvres of our political opponents as to have brought himself to view the matter in a different light; and when such a divergence from the right path has been once taken, it is rather difficult to say where it may have stopped, and whether family or business details have or have not been also sacrificed to the warmth of family or business friendships. It is possible that the pitiable weakness of mind which has so readily fallen a victim to political passion or animosity may have been gradually succumbing, or have altogether succumbed, to the same insidious and perhaps more dangerous advances of designing business acquaintances on the one hand, or of artful boon companions on the other. We might have dealt much more harshly with Mr Baker in examining this portion of his defence, and still have kept far within the bounds of a fair criticism of the facts as they have been disclosed; but we have no desire to add to the misery of the position into which that gentleman has unfortunately precipitated himself. We will therefore, turn to those other portions of his letter which are, in any way, deserving of reply. He remarks that the mistake of the 'Bank of France' was perceived by the Times without his intervention, as his correction was by mistake delivered to us. But this is rather incorrect logic. It is true that Mr Baker's private slip to our contemporary fell into our hands, but it is well known that his intimacy in that quarter has been of the closest kind. The failure in the delivery of a written message, therefore, still leaves the question in an awkward plight, from which all Mr Baker's denials will hardly deliver it. It is one of the characteristics of the defence of Mr Baker, from that first entered upon by his friends to that afterwards madly gone into by himself, that it seems to be marked from first to last by uniformly increasing gradations in folly. When the notice of his removal was first received here on Friday last, any censure it conveyed, was blazoned forth by his political partisans, who would not rest satisfied till the two Municipal Councils, the Chamber of Commerce, and the whole mercantile community generally, should pronounce an opinion on the event. Unwise as was this proceeding, it was exceeded on the following day by our contemporary, which, with an unblushing coolness that under the circumstances, and with the knowledge it possessed of the true state of the case, looked like downright and pointed malice, commented most strongly on the importance of possessing a telegraph master beyond suspicion of either unfaithfulness or imprudence. This was again excelled by the folly of forcing the matter to a discussion before the Eastern Council on Saturday, and after the damaging results of that meeting were made known, of endeavoring to get us to suppress all report of the proceedings. Failing in this, Mr Baker capped the madness of the whole proceedings by madly rushing into print, and provoking further attention to his unfortunate case. He says it was no uncommon practice of his to append a note to our telegraphic messages, 'suggestive of such reconsideration of an apparent contradiction or removal of an absurdity as might occur,' and, in confirmation of this, he publishes a certificate to that effect from one of his assistants. Mr Baker probably intended this for a telling point in his favor, but it in reality turns to his disadvantage, like all the other steps that have been taken in his defence. Our readers will have observed that repeatedly in our telegraphic messages, we have been compelled to add that a portion of the report was unintelligible, either from the careless reading off of Mr Baker, or the dreadful mangling of the English language by his assistant. On a few occasions, Mr Baker, after thus, by his inefficiency, creating difficulties, endeavored to the best of his ability to remove them, by giving his translation or reading of some words which, though not in the language, yet still found their way into the report with which he furnished us. On one occasion, which by reference to our file, we find to have been the 19th November last, our Melbourne correspondent's report of the Exhibition of the Victoria Industrial Society at St Kilda, stated that among the list of prizes was that of a 'Mr James Graham for swine of various kinds.' To this report Mr Baker appended a note a stating that this must be a mistake, as no swine were exhibited. Unfortunately for our correctness on that occasion, we took heed of the remark, and altered the porcine monosyllable to 'wines,' but on the arrival of the Melbourne journals, the following day, we found that our correspondent had been right, and Mr Baker wrong. So much for Mr Baker's friendly assistance in the matter of correction. With an aptitude at catching at straws, which, under the circumstances, is not to be wondered at, Mr Baker quotes the reply of Mr McGowan, the Superintendent of the Electric Telegraph Department, to his tender of resignation, and complacently assumes that it signifies a belief in his total innocence. The reply runs thus:— 'I regret, under the circumstances, that, you should have felt called upon to resign your appointment. Your successor will arrive on Wednesday next.' We must admire the 'Mark Tapley-ism' of the individual who finds in such a missive, matter not only for consolation, but self-gratulation. We should be inclined to infer that the 'regret under the circumstances' expressed by Mr McGowan, arose not from any sympathy with Mr Baker, or from any belief in his propriety of conduct, but simply from the knowledge that a 'resignation under the circumstances' would imply an acknowledgment of indiscretion on the part of Mr Baker, and thereby reflect discredit on the department to which he has lately belonged. When it is considered that in the Telegraph department above every other, the greatest discretion and propriety are absolutely essential, otherwise the public will not give to it that confidence which is necessary to its success, it will readily be imagined how, 'under the circumstances' of Mr Baker's resignation, Mr McGowan so quietly expressed his regret at the resignation, and curtly announced the appointment of a successor. As Mr Baker has without ceremony taken it upon him to publish so favorable a testimony to his merits as the above message discloses, it will be pardonable in us if we publish a portion of the official reply by Mr McGowan to the charge made by us against Mr Baker. It is as follows: 'I think I previously informed you that I had laid the whole correspondence before Government. I have now to state that, under the belief that Mr Baker has lost the confidence of at least a portion of your community through his indiscretion, but wishing to show him every reasonable leniency, in the hope that in the future he may be able to recover the position which he would latterly seem to have lost, I have recommended his removal from Ballarat.' The above shows exactly the condition in which Mr Baker has placed himself, and a mere allusion to the kindly and considerate manner in which his misconduct is here dealt with, that 'he might have a chance of retrieving his position,' is the only answer we will give to his absurd charge of malevolence and vindictiveness on our part. It is evident that accusations couched in the spirit of these qualities, would have little weight with the writer of the above, and in trying to screen himself in such an absurd fashion, Mr Baker only betrays the innate weakness of his case. He seems now determined to constitute himself a political martyr, and it is not the first time that the popular cause has been disgraced by such a title being assumed by men after following courses equally crooked. But we have really had too much of this subject. We think our readers will rise from the perusal of it with the feeling that every possible forbearance has been exercised by the Government towards Mr Baker, and we know that on our side the same virtue has not been wanting. For months back it was known to us and many others, that the private room of the telegraph office, in which the messages were received and transmitted, was more like a political club-room, than the sanctum of an establishment through which many of the most important political, commercial and family secrets of the community were daily passing. An undisturbed and unrestricted entree seemed to be granted to certain well-known political and semi-literary characters, whose individuality from recent disclosures may now be pretty closely guessed at. It is better now that these things should be made known that the scandal which they have occasioned may not occur again either here or in any other locality. The department of the Electric Telegraph is too important a one to the community to allow its utility to be destroyed by such ill judged proceedings as those which have been too prevalent here, and we feel satisfied that in making them known, the active and indefatigable superintendent will for the future take such precautions as will effectually preclude the occurrence of all such irregularities either here or elsewhere."

James Baker nominates for the Mining Board and is receives a subtle jibe from the Star "OUR mining readers will do well to remember that Friday, the 5th, is the last day on which nominations for the Mining Board can be sent in for publication. There is not likely to be any lack of candidates, but it behoves those who wish to propose men for public approval at the poll, to see to it that they do not lose the chance by letting the day go by. In proof of there being no probability of a deficiency of candidates, we may mention that already Creswick is in the field, with two men, namely: Messrs Russell and J. Reed, and our correspondent there informs us that a Mr. Jno. Stephens is to be also added to the list. Smythe's has Mr R. H. Lock nominated, and has yet one more to provide. We have heard of a Mr Jones being a likely candidate. Buninyong has at yet but one candidate, Mr McMillan, before the public. Steiglitz and Blackwood have also yet to publish their favorites. Ballarat will have an excellent selection no doubt, if rumor do not lie; for besides Mr R. M. Sarjeant, who is already formally nominated, the Central Committee have decided on recommending for nomination Messrs Frazer and O'Connor, of the late Local Court, and Mr Baker, the late Electric Telegraph station master, and Local Court member at the time of the passing of the first frontage regulations; and in addition to these it is said that there are others who are willing to stand and are likely to be presented. The more the merrier say we, that there may be really a chance of getting the best men the district has to offer. The post of mining board member will be an honorable and important one, and the miners ought to be anxious to select none but able and trusty persons. Our mining prospects for the future require immediate contemplation, for skilful handling of our resources is imperatively necessary in order to the continuance of our prosperity as a gold field. New processes will have to be introduced, and more liberal and enlightened applications of co-operative industry and capital must be the order of the day; and to facilitate and order these things we shall have need of men of intelligence, business habits, and conscientious attention to duty. Nobody can wish to see in the Mining Board, a reproduction of the evils of the old Legislative Local Court, and if the Ballarat men make a wise selection, a good deal will be done toward securing for the new Board an efficiency of power, and a propriety of conduct which will do a great deal towards removing from us the reproach (already cast upon us in some quarters) that we are not ripe for self-government."

Bechervaise assumes office as Master of the Ballarat Telegraph Office, unfortunately a day with the lines down "THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.— We are informed by Mr W. P. Bechervaise, who yesterday assumed office as Master of the Telegraph Station here, that the communication between Melbourne and Geelong is still interrupted, and we are, therefore, unable to give any summary of Parliamentary or Melbourne news."

Bechervaise reports the the Melbourne-Geelong telegraph line has been restored "Local and General News. THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.— We are informed by Mr Bechervaise, the station master, that the communication on the line between Melbourne and Geelong, which was broken on Thursday last, was completed about 2.30 p.m., on Saturday, and messages have been transmitted since then between Ballarat and Melbourne. The temporary stoppage proved a great inconvenience, and the public will be glad to know that the service has been resumed."

Bechervaise announces that the Portland telegraph station placed in service "Local and General News. TELEGRAPH TO PORTLAND.— By a note received from Mr Bechervaise, our Telegraph Station Master, we leam that the Portland station will be placed in communication with Ballarat, and other places on the line, this morning."

Associated with his appointment to telegraph office, Bechervaise gazetted as Collector of Imposts "NEW APPOINTMENTS. The following appointments appear in to-day's Gazette:— Territorial Magistrates, — Adeney, — Dowling, — McArthur; Police Magistrates, Melbourne, — Martin, — Crawford; Clerks of Insolvent Court, Geelong, — Stephen, — Lespinasse; Clerk of County Court and of Court of Mines, Buckland, — Martin; do. do., Korong, — Stobie; do. do. and of Petty Sessions, Blackwood, — Tindell; Clerk of Petty Sessions, Mansfield, W. P. Bechervaise, Collector of Imposts, Ballarat."

1858 03
Bechervaise's entry in Bradshaw's Guide is wrong "'BRADSHAW'S GUIDE TO VICTORIA.' — This publication still pursues its useful career, and the March number exhibits a decided improvement upon the past. We cannot, however, congratulate the publishers, Messrs Fairfax and Co., upon making less misstatements with reference to Ballarat than is customary among Melbourne publications. The following errors could easily have been corrected from the columns of the daily press:— Mr James Oddie, instead of Dr Stewart, is named as Chairman of the Western Council; the members of the abolished Local Court are enumerated; the newspapers are represented to consist only of those papers for which the Argus agent is also agent; none of the local press are named; the Mechanics' Institute is represented as a public body — it does not exist; Mr Turner is stated to be our resident magistrate, and Mr Clissold's name is omitted; Mr Baker, instead of Mr Bechervaise, is set down as Telegraph station master, &c., &c. However, these mistakes are far less in number and extent than those in previous publications; and, considering the enormous amount of statistical information contained in 'Bradshaw's Guide,' are almost unavoidable. As a general guide to the man of business, the public officer, or the journalist, the publication is almost indispensable; and the Calendar for 212 years well deserves the title of a perpetual almanac, for few of the grandchildren of the now-rising generation of Australians will live to see it ended."

Bechervaise announces that the Melbourne to Belfast (via Ballarat) telegraph line now open for business "BELFAST TELEGRAPH STATION.— We are informed by the Ballarat station master that the line of electric telegraph from Melbourne via Ballarat to Belfast is now complete, and the station at Belfast was opened for public business on Saturday last. The scale of charges can be ascertained at the Ballarat station."

1858 04
Bechervaise advertises for a servant girl "WANTED, a Servant Girl, 13 to 15 years old. Apply to Mr Bechervaise, Telegraph Station."

Bechervaise advertises for coat left at Telegraph Office "Notice. LEFT at the Electric Telegraph Office, on the evening of the 15th inst., a cloth coat. By giving an accurate description of the same, contents of the pockets, and by paying expense of advertising, the owner may recover the same on application to Mr Bechervaise."

Bechervaise advertises for money left at Telegraph Office "NOTICE.— A certain amount of money was yesterday found in the lobby of the Electric Telegraph Station. By giving satisfactory description of the money in question, and paying expenses of advertising, the owner may recover the same on application to Mr Bechervaise. Electric Telegraph Office, Ballarat, 29th April 1858."

1858 05
Bechervaise announces the extension of telegraphs to Raglan "EXTENSION OF THE TELEGRAPH.— We are informed by Mr Bechervaise, the station master here, that the Telegraph station at Raglan, Fiery Greek, was opened for business on Saturday last, the 15th inst."

Bechervaise announces reduced opening hours for the telegraph office for the public holiday "A HOLIDAY AT THE TELEGRAPH OFFICE. We are informed by Mr Bechervaise, the station-master at Ballarat, that the Telegraph Office will open to-day only from 8.30 to 10 a.m., and from 5 to 6 p.m., in celebration of the event of the day."

1858 07
Bechervaise announces that the telegraph is now extended to Wangaratta "TELEGRAPH TO WANGARATTA.— We are informed by Mr Bechervaise, the station-master here, that the Electric Telegraph was yesterday extended to Wangaratta, and that messages can now be transmitted to that township."

Bechervaise announces that the Ballarat-Streatham line & office is now open "THE TELEGRAPH STATION.— The station master here informs us that the line of telegraph is now open between Ballarat and Streatham, and that at the latter place the office is now open for business. The charges can be known on application at the Telegraph station."

Bechervaise a part of history, announcing the commissioning of the Melbourne-Adelaide telegraph line "INTER-COLONIAL TELEGRAPH.— We are informed by W. H. Bechervaise, Esq., station master at Ballarat, that the inter-colonial telegraph between Melbourne and Adelaide was formally opened at four o'clock p.m. on Thursday, by his Excellency Sir Henry Barkly at the Victorian end, and his Excellency Sir Richard Macdonnell at the South Australian end. Messages can now be transmitted from the Ballarat office through which the line passes. We believe that this line, which is 700 miles in length, is the most extensive on this side of the line. We presume that before many months have passed the four principal colonies will be united in this electric chain, and ultimately Western Australia and the new colony of Moreton Bay will be included. Our motto is truly 'Advance Australia.'"

1858 08
A rare criticism of Bechervaise on telegraph press news delays, but the circumstances were beyond his control "TELEGRAPH MANAGEMENT.— At half-past five yesterday afternoon we received intimation by telegraph, from our Queenscliff correspondent, of the arrival at Port Phillip Heads of the R. M. S. S. Europeae — a summary of English news to follow as early as possible. To make sure of having the intelligence to lay before our readers in this morning's issue, we immediately sent a note to Mr Bechervaise, the station master here, requesting that he would remain in his office later than the usual time of closing, in the event of our report not being received before that time. To this he obligingly replied, 'I will be sure to get all the reports, &c., for Ballaarat, if I should have to stop up all night.' At one o'clock in the morning no portion of our report been sent down till that hour, we visited the telegraph station and found from the click of the instrument that operations were going on. The reader may judge of our surprise and disappointment, however, when we learned that our report had not yet been taken in hand. The wires were occupied by a message for Adelaide, which was being received at Ballaarat and forwarded hence. Our report was lying the while at the Melbourne station, whether it had arrived from Queenscliffe en route; and when its transmission would be commenced, or whether it would be possible to have it in time for this morning's issue, we could not ascertain. This is rather more than we can stand, or then the public of Ballaarat will submit to, or we are mistaken. Telegraphic communication with South Australia is very desirable, no doubt; but the Victorian telegraph has been constructed for the use of Victorians, and we cannot submit to have our own convenience subordinated to that of the neighboring colony. Thirsting for European news, as the public here is, it was a most aggravating thing to know that the intelligence which would be eagerly looked for in our own columns within a few hours, was being carried past our doors for the benefit of the people of Adelaide.— Ballaarat Times."

1858 09
Bechervaise announces new more direct telegraph line to Geelong "THE BALLARAT TELEGRAPH.— The following information respecting the line between Ballarat and Geelong has been forwarded to us by Mr Bechervaise, the station master here:— The new wire between Geelong and Ballarat is now complete. Hitherto messages to be transmitted from Ballarat have at times had to wait till other stations on the western line had taken their turn. The instruments for the wire are now on the road. The only stations on new wire are Ballarat, Geelong, Queenscliffe, Williamstown, and Melbourne; consequently the business of this office will be greatly facilitated."

Bechervaise announces that the Ballarat-Geelong telegraph line is now dual and working well "DOUBLE TELEGRAPH WIRE.— Mr Bechervase, the telegraph station master here, informs us that he has now received the instruments for the working of the second wire between this and Geelong, and that the two wires are now working well."

1858 10
Provision made in the 1859 estimates for the Ballarat Post Office and Telegraph Station "THE ESTIMATES FOR 1859. THE Estimates for the ensuing year are now before us, and we proceed to place before our readers their more prominent features. In the first place comes the anticipated income and expenditure which are stated as follows:— ABSTRACT OF THE ESTIMATED REVENUE OF VICTORIA, FOR THE YEAR 1859. . . . To the Ballarat Post Office is appropriated £2,012 10s; to the Electric Telegraph Station here, £892 10s."

1858 11
Bechervaise announces the opening of the Melbourne-Sydney telegraph line "OPENING OF THE TELEGRAPH TO SYDNEY.— We learn from the Telegraph Station Master here that the line is now complete, and that messages can be transmitted between Ballarat and Sydney. The opening of the New South Wales line completes the chain of communication between Sydney, New South Wales, and Adelaide in South Australia. The next step in advance will be the junction with Tasmania by means of the Victorian line from Geelong to Cape Otway, and thence by submarine cable across Bass's Straits, which will at once place us in connection with Launceston and Hobart Town. At no distant day we hope to see the line extended from Adelaide to King George's Sound in Western Australia, and from Sydney to Moreton Bay and Port Curtis in Northern Australia, as well as from Albury through the central pastoral country."

Bechervaise announces the extension of the telegraph network to Fiery Creek and Ararat "Local and General News. . . . EXTENSION OF THE TELEGRAPH TO FIERY CREEK AND ARARAT.— We are informed by Mr J. W. (sic) Bechervaise, the station master at Ballarat, that the important towns of Raglan and Ararat are now included in the network of electric telegraphic communication."

1858 12
Bechervaise announces lightning damage to the Ballarat-Geelong telegraph line, also that Echuca now commenced "EFFECTS OF THE LIGHTNING.— It appears that during the thunderstorm on last Sunday night no fewer than eight of the telegraph posts near the Stony Rises, on the line be-tween here and Geelong, were completely destroyed by the lightning. The communication, however, was not interrupted, and it was only on Wednesday morning that Mr Bechervaise, our Telegraph Master, became informed of the damage to the line. He at once sent off the line inspector, who is now busily employed in erecting new posts. . . . TELEGRAPH TO ECHUCA.— Mr Bechervaise informs us that the Electric Telegraph Station at Echuca was opened to the public on Thursday, and that telegrams can now be transmitted from Ballarat through to that place."

1859 02
Bechervaise announces the Ballarat-Melbourne telegraph line is down, Ballarat newspapers deprived of Melbourne news "NO TELEGRAM.— We are unable to furnish our readers this morning with our usual telegram of Melbourne news. The following letter which we received last night will explain the omission:— 'Electric Telegraph Office, Ballarat, 11th February, 1559.— Sir,— I do myself the honor to inform you that the communication between this station and Melbourne has been suspended since 4.40 p.m. I have every reason to believe that the frequent heavy squalls of to-day must have blown some of the posts down, and thus have brought the wires into connection with the earth. The lines to Geelong, as well as to the western country, are in good working order. I have the honor to be, Sir, yours obediently, J. W. Bechervaise, Station Master.'"

1859 03
Bechervaise announces the opening of the Port Elliot, SA telegraph station "Local and General News. EXTENSION OF TELEGRAPH.— We are informed by Mr Bechervaise, the Telegraph Station Master, that yesterday (2nd instant) the station at Port Elliot, South Australia, was officially opened to the public."

Bechervaise announces the opening of the Avoca telegraph station "EXTENSION OF TELEGRAPH.— We learn from Mr Bechervaise, the Station Master, that on Saturday the 5th instant, the Telegraph Station at Avoca was opened for business to the public; the rate of charge from Ballarat is the same as to Sandhurst, viz.,— first ten words 3s; each additional word 3d; address and signature not included."

1859 04
Birth notice for Bechervaise's first child Herbert Price Bechervaise "BIRTHS. . . . 14th instant, Mrs Bechervaise of a son. Both doing well."

Housekeeping announcements by Bechervaise "TELEGRAPH OFFICE.— Mr Bechervaise, the Station-master here, informs us that the Telegraph Office will be open to-day (Good Friday), from half-past eight to ten o'clock in the morning, and from five to six o'clock in the afternoon."

Bechervaise announces the opening of a new telegraph office at Maryborough "TELEGRAPH TO MARYBOROUGH.— We are informed by Mr Bechervaise, that an electric telegraph office was yesterday (Tuesday) opened at Maryborough."

1859 05
Housekeeping announcements by Bechervaise "News and Notes. Mr Bechervaise informs us that the Electric Telegraph office will be open to-day, being the Queen's birthday, from 8.30 a.m. to 10 a.m., and from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m."

1859 06
Extraordinary service provided by the Telegraph Office "News and Notes. Mr Bechervaise informs us that a supplementary mail, per Columbian, will close at Adelaide this day, at 12 o'clock, and that arrangements have been made with the telegraph authorities at Adelaide, by which telegrams from Victoria can be posted up to that time. Our commercial friends will thus have an opportunity of sending a few days later orders or news to their correspondents."

Bechervaise quick to point out that the failure on the Victoria-Adelaide line is due to a break on the SA side "News and Notes. . . . Mr Bechervaise informs us that the communication by electric telegraph between Victoria and Adelaide is broken on the South Australian side. It is supposed that one of the cables between Adelaide and Guichen Bay is broken."

1859 07
Houskeeping announcements by Bechervaise "News and Notes. We are informed by Mr Bechervaise, the station master, that on account of today's holiday, the Telegraph Office will only be open from 8.30 a.m. to 10 a.m., and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m."

Bechervaise announces Omeo returned to port after laying cable to King Island "News and Notes. . . . Mr Bechervaise, the Telegraph Station-master here, informs us that the steamer Omeo has returned to port for a supply of coals, having successfully laid the submarine telegraph cable from Cape Otway to King's Island."

Bechervaise announces opening of the Creswick telegraph station "News and Notes. . . . Mr Bechervaise informs us that the telegraph station at Creswick will be open to the public today, Mr Walter Burkett, late station master at Mount Gambier, has arrived for the purpose of taking charge at the new station. Messages will be transmitted from this at the same rate as to Raglan."

1859 08
Bechervaise announces the opening of new telegraph stations at Daylesford and Dunolly "News and Notes. . . . Mr Bechervaise informs us that telegraph stations were yesterday opened at Daylesford and Dunolly."

Bechervaise announces the opening of a new telegraph station at Maldon (Tarrengower) "News and Notes. . . . Mr Bechervaise informs us that a station of the electric telegraph was opened for the public service at Maldon (Tarrengower) on the 23rd inst."

1859 09
Bechervaise announces the connection of the Victorian telegraph network to that of Tasmania "News and Notes. We are informed by the Telegraph Station Master here that the electric communication with the colony of Tasmania is now complete. The line will be opened for the use of the public this day, the 30th, when telegrams can be despatched from the office. The rate of charge will be the same as between Ballarat and Sydney. Cape Otway is to be considered the Victorian boundary station."

1859 11
Bechervaise advises on last minute arrangements for telegrams on the R.M.S. Benares "We have been requested by Mr Bechervaise to state that persons wishing to post telegrams at Adelaide for transmission per R. M. steamer Benares, may do so up to 3. p.m. to-day from the telegraph office here."

Bechervaise charges a Creswick farmer for damage to the telegraph line "DISTRICT POLICE COURT. Wednesday, 23rd November. (Before the Police Magistrate, and Messrs James Baker and W. C. Smith, J.P.'s.) . . . CAUSE LIST. Telegraph Station Master v May, a farmer near Creswick, for obstructing the communication, and injuring the telegraph on the 15th inst. A certificate was produced from a doctor, and the defendant's wife also stated that he was ill, and the case was postponed until Saturday next."

Previous case resolved as farmer repaired the line himself "Saturday, 26th November. (Before the Police Magistrate and Mr Warden Foster.) . . . CAUSE LIST. . . . Station master Bechervaise v May, injury to telegraph wire and stopping communication. It appeared the defendant had felled a tree, which in its fall broke the telegraph wire, but as he had repaired the injury the case was withdrawn."

1859 12
The vicinity of the Telegraph Office about to receive a makeover "TO BE SOLD OR LET BY TENDER. THE OLD POST OFFICE RESERVE. To Merchants, Capitalists, Hotelkeepers, and Men of Business generally. J. & T. ODDIE have received instructions from the proprietors to Sell or Lease on very liberal terms, all that desirable Landed Property known as the Old Post Office Reserve, containing Half an Acre, situate in the most central part of the Township of Ballarat, and having a Frontage to Lydiard street (the principal street for business, in which seven Banks are erected, the new Post Office, Treasury, and Telegraph Station) of 132 feet by a depth of 165 feet fronting Mair street, being a Corner Allotment almost adjoining the Bank of Victoria, and nearly opposite the Treasury and Telegraph Office, and about midway between the Markets of the Western and Eastern Municipalities, and the nearest available land to the site fixed on for the Railway Terminus, Lydiard street, being the main thoroughfare from and to every part of the town, as also the principal outlet to the agricultural and mining districts, the traffic to which must pass this property, there being no other outlet, inconsequence of the peculiar formation of the hill upon which the terminus is shortly to be erected; it also commands the whole of the traffic from Soldiers' Hill, owing to Lydiard street being continued northward — an advantage which Armstrong street does not possess. The whole of the allotment may be tendered for, for two years, without the Lessee being required to erect any buildings thereon. If leased for five or ten years according to plan of subdivision the Lessee will be required to erect brick or stone buildings, the plan or plans and specifications of which to be subject to the proprietor's approval. If sold in one lot, or according to plan of subdivision, the price per foot frontage to be mentioned in tender or tenders, and, if approved of, the terms of payment will be one-fourth cash, and the balance by acceptances at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months, bearing 10 per cent. interest subject to the usual conditions of sale. Tenders to be sent in on or before the 14th instant to Messrs J. & T. Oddie, Ballarat; Mr John Noble, Geelong; or, Mr J. N. Wilson, No. 7 Collins street East, Melbourne, where a plan of the ground can be seen, and all further infomation obtained. Tenders to be subject to the Proprietor's approval, and the highest or any of the tenders for purchasing or leasing may not necessarily be accepted. Gentlemen on the Main Road should not lose this opportunity of tendering for some of the best business sites on the township, as they must eventually leave Ballarat East, from its unhealthy position, and the likelihood of business being solely confined to the township when the Railway is completed."

Bechervaise introduces innovations in the operation of the telegraph office "News and Notes. Mr Bechervaise informs us that for the future, immediately on the arrival of the English mail at Adelaide, a flag with the letters R. M. in the centre will be displayed at the masthead of the camp flagstaff, and so soon as the time ball mast is completed the flag on such occasions will be hoisted in the magazine enclosure."

Major fire disaster in Ballarat will have consequences for the local telegraph lines "MAIN ROAD CONFLAGRATION. Twenty-one hotels, stores, and dwellings, a large number of outhouses, and property valued altogether at about £25,500 were destroyed in the Main Road on Sunday morning, in about fifty minutes. This was the fiercest and fastest of all the fires which have made Ballarat notorious — and this month appear especially fatal — and it was also the most destructive in respect of the value of property. Heated to a state of semi-ignition — as all combustible things were by the hot winds that have prevailed for several days — the break-out of a fire was certain to be highly dangerous; but with a hot wind still blowing, and the fire already powerful when discovered, the fearful rapidity of the flames, which licked up house after house in about two minutes' time each on an average, was not so very wonderful. Add to this want of practice with the hydrants and their hose attachments, and still less room is left to wonder at the terrible fire which rushed along the south side of the road yesterday from the London Tavern to Humffray's corner, and left, in the short space of time we have mentioned, nought but a waste of blackened, smouldering ruins, and disstracted groups of houseless, and we fear in some cases, all but ruined men, women, and children. The first alarm of fire was raised at about thirty minutes after seven o'clock, and by fifteen minutes after eight the destruction had been accomplished. When we first saw the scene, at twenty minutes to eight, huge volumes of smoke were rising from the premises of Messrs Wittkowski, tobacconists, by the bridge, on the east side, and the Liverpool Arms Hotel adjoining. Immediately large flakes of flame rushed out in every direction, and it became at once apparent that a large conflagration must ensue. A light breeze was blowing from the northward and in a few seconds the flames leapt across the Yarrowee Creek to the Temperance Hotel and that block was doomed; while with equal rapidity the fire raged away on the other side, house after house igniting on either side of the creek, as if in derision of the distraction of the inmates and the rapidly growing crowd. At the first alarm of fire Councillor Scott ran up to the Sturt street standpipes and told the man in charge to turn on the water, while Mr Barker, the lessee, hastened down also to give the same directions. In the other direction the alarm spread, the fire bell rang, and the ever prompt Fire Brigade, with all their valuable apparatus, were on the spot while yet the flames just leading on eastward from the Liverpool Arms. After a delay of a few minutes the water was turned on, and the Brigade got to work with five streams of water supplied by their own engine and the hydrants along the kerb on north side of the street. Superintendent Winch and Inspector Nicholas, with their force were also as promptly on the spot, and the work of preservation went on as fast as was possible under the circumstances. . . .."

Bechervaise's team busy effecting repairs after the disaster "News and Notes. . . . Mr Bechervaise's aids were busy during the past day in removing the burnt telegraph posts, and re-adjusting those that were loosened by the strains made on them by the hauling and pushing operations accompanying the disaster of last Sunday."

Bechervaise advises repairs on the submarine cable to Tasmania are again complete, but it remains unreliable "News and Notes. . . . Mr Bechervaise informs us that the necessary repairs to the Bass's Straits electric submarine cable having been completed, telegraphic communi-cation was resumed yesterday."

Bechervaise advises that the Bathurst telegraph office is now open "News and Notes. Mr. Bechervaise informs us that the electric telegraph station at Bathurst, New South Wales, was yesterday opened to the public. The telegraph offices throughout the colony will be closed at 6 p.m. on Saturday, the 31st instant; and on Monday, the 2nd January, 1860, the offices will open from 8.30 to 10 a.m., and from 6 to 7 p.m."