Railway Regulation Act, 1844

Electrical telegraphs established by companies or private parties to be open to the public.

14. Where a line of electrical telegraph shall have been established upon any railway by the company to whom such railway belongs, or by any company, partnership, person, or persons, otherwise than exclusively for her Majesty’s service, or exclusively for the purposes of the railway, or jointly for both, the use of such electrical telegraph, for the purpose of receiving and sending messages, shall, subject to the prior right of use thereof for the service of her Majesty and for the purpose of the company, and subject also to such equal charges and to such reasonable regulations as may be from time to time made by the said railway company, be open for the sending and receiving of messages by all persons alike, without favour or preference.

[Ss. 15, 16 rep. 34 & 35 Vict. c. 78. s. 17.]