HC Deb 14 July 1887 vol 317 cc779-80
MR. W. A. MACDONALD (Queen's County, Ossory)

asked the Postmaster General, Whether an emergency man named Thomas Tynan has been appointed to the office of postmaster at Borris-in-Ossory, Queen's County; whether Tynan is advanced in years, and is with difficulty learning the art of telegraphy; whether a number of suitable candidates, including the widow of a policeman, applied for the office, but were rejected; whether, before the appointment was sanctioned, a Memorial praying that a more suitable person might be selected was presented to the Department; whether this Memorial was signed by 155 householders, all residing in the district, including the parish priest, the Catholic curate, and two Poor Law Guardians; whether the prayer of the Memoralists was refused; and, if so, on what grounds; and, whether he will inform the House on the recommendation of what persons residing in the locality the nomination was made?

THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES) (Cambridge University)

As I explained to the hon. Member on the 13th of May, the nomination to the appointment of postmaster at Borris-in-Ossory rests with the Lords of the Treasury, who nominated Thomas Tynan. I have no knowledge of the comparative merits of any other candidates, as all correspondence and Memorials on such subjects are referred to the Treasury. I made careful inquiry in regard to Tynan's fitness, and I satisfied myself that there were not sufficient grounds for rejecting the nomination, and accordingly gave directions that it should be proceeded with.

MR. W. A. MACDONALD

said, as the appointment had been made, would the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that the son of the postmaster, who had been convicted and sentenced to 15 months' imprisonment for robbery, would not be permitted to take any part in the business of the local post office on behalf of his father?

MR. RAIKES

said, he was sorry the hon. Gentleman should have revived that story. For a very small theft the son had received the exemplary punishment of 15 months' imprisonment some years ago; and as he had left the country and was at present in California, he had no intention of returning to Ireland.