Kevin Livingston

A comprehensive description of the development of the telegraph in Australia in the context of colonial and imperial relations, and the process towards federalism. A rather dry book, it covers all the disputes between the colonies, but nothing much about the technology, the operation of the telegraph and the people involved.
The efforts of South Australia to secure and maintain itself as the first landfall of the line from the UK, and the continual efforts of Queensland to take this position (or at least generate some competition) is well described. A key message of the author is that the discussion surrounding the telegraph were important elements in the move towards a federal government.… (plus d'informations)