§ MR. O'HANLON (Cavan, E.)asked the Postmaster General, Whether he is aware that the following gentlemen in the district of Grangegeith—namely, John Duffy, Mountfortun, Slane; Edward M'Kurr, Mulladillon House, Slane; and Edward Horan, P.P., College Hill, Slane, are prepared to guarantee the Post Office against loss in case one be established in the district; is he aware that the people of the district are, and have been paying, out of their own pockets, for these last nine months, 7s. a-week to a postman for carrying the letters and the use of his house as a post office, and that the aforesaid postman is prepared to give the accommodation and do the work for the Post Office for the same amount; is he aware that, previous to the present appointment of a letter carrier, some of the people had to go to Slane with their letters, a distance of five and a-half Irish miles, or equal to over seven English miles, to have their letters posted; has his attention been called to the book kept by this postman, which shows that in some weeks over 200 letters, and in none less than 100 letters, passed through his hands; and, whether, in view of the above number of letters, and the distance the people have to go to post their letters, together with the loss and inconvenience to others outside the district, who have frequently to send letters to their friends and cus- 884 tomers, he will re-consider his decision, and make more satisfactory postal arrangement for this district?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES) (Cambridge University)In accordance with the letter written to the hon. Member by my direction, on the 4th instant, a sub-post-office at Grangegeith, and a delivery 6 days a-week, will be established if the inhabitants of Grangegeith are willing to enter into a guarantee to make good to the Department the excess of cost over revenue, estimated at nine guineas a-year. No intimation, except that conveyed in the hon. Member's Question, has reached me that a guarantee has been offered, but on a written offer being received the matter will be attended to.
§ MR. O'HANLONI have given the names of three gentlemen qualified in every shape and form to guarantee this expenditure.
§ MR. RAIKESI must have their consent in writing.