HC Deb 20 March 1882 vol 267 cc1278-9
MR. METGE

asked the Postmaster General, If he will state the grounds upon which Mary Malinn was deprived of the office of postmistress to the district of Bohermeen, in the county of Meath, she having held that office for the last six years with the sanction of the Secretary to the Post Office, Ireland, no charge having ever been brought against her in her official capacity, her father having held the same office for a period of between thirty and forty years, and her brother being at present in the service of the Post Office; whether it is not the case that she had received certificates of character from her parish priest, and also from a neighbouring magistrate; and, whether any influence had been brought to bear on the Secretary of the Post Office, in order to have her removed from the said office; and, if so, the nature of such influence?

MR. FAWCETT

Sir, in reply to the hon. Member, I have to state that John Malinn, and not Mary Malinn, was the keeper of the post office at Bohermeen. John Malinn died in November last, and the office being one of small value, it is not in my gift, but in that of the Treasury. The usual course was adopted, and, on the vacancy being reported to the Treasury, the Treasury appointed Catherine Flynn.

MR. METGE

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered the last portion of the Question.

MR. FAWCETT

That is a Question which should be addressed to the Treasury.

MR. METGE

Then I beg to give Notice that I will ask the Secretary of the Treasury this Question on an early day.