§ DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid.)asked the Postmaster General, Whether it is a fact that Thomas G. Griffin, of Gurteen, near Ballinasloe, county Galway, was appointed acting sub-postmaster in the village of Gurteen last May; whether the permanent appointment has been conferred upon a man named Thomas Carr; whether Carr ever applied for the appointment; whether Griffin's father held the position of sub-postmaster from the establishment of a branch until the appointment of his son G. Griffin; whether there is any post office at Gurteen, and what is the distance from the village to the nearest post town; and, whether he will provide for the alleged want?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES) (Cambridge University)No appointment, either temporary or permanent, has been made to the Gurteen Post Office. The office became vacant in May last through the resignation of L. Griffin, who had held it since its establishment in 1877. The inhabitants were opposed to the appointment of any person but Griffin's son; but, as I did not consider him suitable for the position, I was compelled to close the office temporarily. It will be re-opened as soon as a suitable person can be found willing to take it. Gurteen is five miles from the nearest Post Office.
§ DR. TANNERsaid that the second paragraph had not been answered—namely, whether Carr had been appointed?
§ MR. RAIKESThe hon. Member is not correctly informed. The appointment has not been conferred upon Thomas Carr, not even temporarily. The facts, I believe, are that Carr was invited to say whether he would accept the appointment, and declined to do so.