§ MR. BOWRING (for Mr. MELLOR)asked the Postmaster General, If it be true, as stated in the "Civil Service Gazette," that the appointment of Postmaster of the city of Exeter has been given to a Post Office surveyor residing in the West Indies, who is to retain his colonial appointment and continue to reside in those colonies; and, if true, would he give the reasons for appointing a person to the said office who is not to reside in that city?
§ MR. MONSELLMr. Bennett, who has been appointed postmaster of Exeter, was for many years Surveyor of the Post Office in the West Indies, having St. Thomas as his head-quarters; but there being less necessity than formerly for a resident surveyor, he was brought back to England, and, instead of being pensioned, was made Postmaster of Carlisle, from which place he has now been transferred to Exeter. In his present capacity—as was the case when he was at Carlisle—his services are available should it be necessary to dispatch him to the West Indies to make a personal investigation; but it is seldom that such investigation is now necessary. Except on the rare occasions on which he may 1244 be sent to the West Indies, he will reside at Exeter, as he resided at Carlisle during the whole time he held the appointment of postmaster of that city.
§ SIR LAWRENCE PALKThen Mr. Bennett might be required to go to the West Indies?
§ MR. MONSELLHe might be required to go once, perhaps, in two or three years to the West Indies. It is occasionally highly necessary that the Post Office should send out some one.