§ MR. W. O'BRIEN (Cork Co., N.E.)I beg to ask the Postmaster General if it is a fact that William Digby, of Caledon, County Tyrone, was employed for eight years in carrying the night mail to Tynan on Sundays at 1s. a week, the job having been offered to several Protestants and refused; whether an arrangement having been come to lately by which the post became worth 6s. a week, Digby has been discharged and a Protestant appointed in 160 his place, and whether there was any fault to be found with Digby on the score of character?
§ SIR J. FERGUSSONDigby was employed by the sub-postmistress of Caledon as station messenger on Sunday evenings, a duty for which an allowance was made of 1s. a trip. Whether the job had been offered to others, and, if so, of what religion these others were, is not known. Since the 23rd February last the duty has been merged in a night mail station service, for which an allowance is made of 6s. a week, and Digby's services are no longer required. He is reported to have been insubordinate and to have given much trouble at Christmas time.
§ MR. W. O'BRIENCan the right hon. Gentleman say what was the nature of the insubordination? Was it in the fact that the man acted as agent for a Nationalist subscription?
§ SIR J. FERGUSSONThe official Report says: Owing to his insubordinate conduct, and he having given much trouble to the sub-postmistress during the late pressure, he cannot be recommended for further employment.