51. Notwithstanding anything in sections 12 to 16 (both inclusive) and sections 18 and 19, the Government may, by order in writing, for the placing of appliances and apparatus for the transmission of energy, confer upon any public officer or licensee, subject to such conditions and restrictions (if any) as the Government may think fit to impose, and to the provisions of the Telegraph Act, 1885, any of the powers which the telegraph-authority possesses under that Act, with respect to the placing of telegraph-lines and posts for the purposes of a telegraph established or maintained by the Government or to be so established or maintained.