§ MR. LANEI beg to ask the Postmaster General whether the recent appointments to vacancies in the Cork telegraph offices have been made in accordance with Rule No 6, which vests the nomination in the Local Postmaster; and, if not, why were the nominations taken out of the hands of the Cork Postmaster; and will the course prescribed by the above rule be adhered to in connection with the two appointments now vacant in the Cork office?
§ MR. RAIKESIt is the practice to let the local Postmaster nominate to junior appointments in his own office, but such practice is, of course, subject to the pleasure of the Postmaster General, who himself nominates when he thinks such a course con- 1167 ducive to the public interest. The five male telegraphists who during the last four years have been transferred to Cork from other offices have been so transferred for the following reasons:—One for the sake of economy, in order that the situation he relinquished at Youghal might be abolished; two for purposes of discipline, that they might be under more efficient control; one on medical grounds, having suffered from illness at Limerick, where he was previously employed, and the fifth was transferred in order that he might be with his parents, who reside at Cork. Whether to the two appointments now vacant at Cork it will be left to the Postmaster to nominate or not I have not yet decided.