MR. O'BRIENasked the Postmaster General, Whether it is the fact that telegraphic communication with the Cahirmee Horse Fair (the greatest of its kind in Ireland) is only maintained by messengers to the adjoining towns, and that for the remuneration of these messengers a subsidy of £2 is required by the Post Office from the baron of the fair; and, whether, considering the vastness of the business transacted at the fair, and the importance of prompt telegraphic communication, he will be good enough to arrange for direct connection with the field for the future, on the responsibility of the Post Office, as has been done in the case of Fairyhouse Racecourse?
§ MR. FAWCETT, in reply, said, it was the fact, as stated by the hon. Member, that telegraphic communication with this fair was only maintained by messengers to the adjoining towns; but no such subsidy was required by or paid to the Post Office, as that to which he had referred. He (Mr. Fawcett) believed the case was that the proprietor of the fair supplied a room for telegraphic purposes, the 33 rent of which he estimated at £2 a-year. The average number of telegrams sent to and from the fair was 35; the number sent from Fairyhouse Racecourse was four times as large; and, in the latter case, the Race Committee supplied a telegraphic room at their own expense, and also, at their own expense, had put up telegraph wires from the course.
MR. O'BRIENasked, whether the right hon. Gentleman would consider whether the small number of messages sent from the fair was not in consequence of the extreme inconvenience of the present mode of sending them?
§ MR. FAWCETT, in reply, said, that was taken into account; and if the telegraph wires were sent into the fair, as was the case with the racecourse, he should be very glad to carry on business with them.