§ MR. P. O'BRIEN (Monaghan, N.)asked the Postmaster General, Whether he is yet prepared to state his decision on the Memorial of the inhabitants of Smithborough, County Monaghan, for the establishment of a postal telegraph office; whether an efficient service could be obtained by a connection with the wire at present working between Clones and Newbliss with an ordinary instrument and with a considerable saving in the cost of working; and, whether the circumstance would affect the amount of guarantee required by the Department?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES) (Cambridge University)In reply to the hon. Member, I have to state that the further Report for which 922 I called has now been received; and I regret to have to state that the decision communicated to the Memorialists in October, 1885—namely, that a guarantee of £30 a-year must be provided if a telegraph office were opened at Smithborough—still holds good. No saving whatever, but rather an increase of expense, would be caused if the office were served in the manner suggested by the hon. Member.