§ MR. DE COBAIN (Belfast, E.)I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether he has seen the Report of Sir Andrew Reed, the Inspector General of Royal Irish Constabulary, strongly recommending the establishment of a telegraph station at Knock, County Down, in order to afford greater protection to the person and property of those living in that locality; is he aware that outrages perpetrated at this place were frequently not communicated to the police till the following day, thus affording facilities for the escape of criminals, owing to the want of telegraphic communication; and would he take early steps to remedy a condition of things so seriously affecting the interests of a community which is rapidly growing, and which embraces a population at present of close upon 4,000 persons?
§ MR. RAIKESThe Report of Sir Andrew Reed, which I understand is addressed to the Irish Government, has not been referred to me; and I have no knowledge of the circumstances attending the outrages mentioned by the hon. Member. In May of last year I made an offer to establish a telegraph office at Knock under a guarantee of £22 a year. This does not appear to me to be a sum which it should be difficult to raise if any importance is attached by the residents to such communication.