§ MR. O'HANLON (Cavan, E.)asked the Postmaster General, Whether the correspondence between Grangegeith and Slane, county Meath, has increased threefold since the 16th August; whether this increase is due to the fact that the people there have appointed a postman, at their own expense, who carries their letters since that date; and, whether, owing to this increase, he will have a post office established at Grangegeith forthwith?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (MR. RAIKES) (Cambridge University)In answer to the hon. Member I have to state that the increase since the 16th August last in the number of letters between the villages of Slane and Grangegeith, which are 3½ miles apart, has been so rapid and remarkable that I have caused special inquiry to be made, in order to ascertain what may account for this sudden growth. When the Returns were taken in July there were only 34 letters a week, and now the number has more than doubled, a most unusual occurrence. It will be 1733 necessary to see whether such an unprecedented growth as nearly 200 per cent in three weeks is likely to be maintained before considering the matter further. At present the inhabitants send a private messenger to Slane daily for letters.