HC Deb 18 July 1889 vol 338 cc714-5
MR. RICHARD POWER (Waterford)

I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether it is the case that, within the seven months ending 30th June, 1889, the day mail from Dublin to Waterford, by which the greater part of the English letters are conveyed, has been delayed for some hours on 12 different occasions owing to the Dublin train being late at Kilkenny; whether he is aware that these repeated delays cause very serious inconvenience to the citizens of Waterford; whether it is the case that in March last a deputation, consisting of the Mayor of Waterford and several citizens, came to London specially to present a memorial to him on this subject, and to point out that there is an alternative route viâ Mary-borough, by which, at very trifling expense to the Post Office, these delays might be almost wholly avoided, and the mails otherwise accelerated; and, whether he can hold out any hope of the prayer of this memorial being acceded to?

* THE POSTMASTEE GENEEAL (Mr. RAIKES,) University of Cambridge

Since the 21st February last, when letters were addressed by my direction, to the Waterford Chamber of Commerce and the Harbour Commissioners on this subject, the day mail from Dublin to Waterford has, I understand, been delayed only three times. On each of these occasions, the English mails were late in arriving in Dublin owing to stress of weather, aud though the Great Southern and Western Railway Company used every effort to make up time on the journey viâ Carlow to Kilkenny, they were unable to secure a connection at that station with the train to Waterford. I am quite alive to the importance of securing an uninterrupted communication between Dublin and Waterford, but when the subject was last brought under the notice of the Waterford and Central Ireland Railway Company, who are the owners of the line between Mary borough and Kilkenny, they were unable to afford the necessary facilities, except at an expenditure which was held not to be warranted. I will, however, cause further inquiries to be made, with a view, if possible, of securing an arrangement on reasonable terms.