§ MR. NEVILLEI beg to ask the Postmaster General whether the Post-mastership at Ulverston, worth £215 per annum, was recently given to a lady who had previously acted as sorting clerk at a salary of 30s. a week; 19 whether there were many applicants for the post of higher position and longer service; whether such rapid promotion is usual in the Service; and whether in this instance outside influence was brought to bear in respect of the appointment?
§ SIR J. FERGUSSONThe answer to the first paragraph of the question is, Yes. It was given to Miss Margaret Hornsby, the daughter of the late Postmaster, who in one capacity or another had assisted her father in the office during a period of 18 years. The answer to the second paragraph is, Yes, and to the third, No. To the last paragraph I answer, Yes, in this sense—that the locality presented a very influential memorial, and recommended her appointment as Postmistress in succession to her father.