§ MR. WEBSTER (St. Pancras, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether it is proposed to remove the present postmaster, Mr. Robert Giltrap, of Stoney-ford, County Kilkenny, who recently purchased the business premises of the late postmaster, where the post-office has been carried on for years; whether he has, during the four months he has held the position of postmaster, given entire satisfaction to the Government officials and to those residing in the district; why no 443 cause has been assigned for the proposed removal of Mr. Giltrap and substitution of Mr. Byrne; whether Mr. Byrne has any knowledge of the business of a postmaster, either in the post or telegraphic departments; and is he aware that Mr. Giltrap is a Protestant and Mr. Byrne a Roman Catholic?
§ MR. A. MORLEYI will answer this question. Mr. Robert Giltrap purchased the premises of the late sub-postmaster of Stoneyford, County Kilkenny, and his wife was permitted to act as sub-postmistress pending the appointment of a successor. During this period—a period of about four months—the duties appear to have been discharged in a satisfactory manner. Mr. Giltrap has not been removed as implied in the question, because he was never appointed. Both he and Mr. Byrne were candidates for the situation, and I appointed Mr. Byrne. Neither of them, so far as is known, possessed any previous knowledge of Post Office duties, either postal or telegraphic. Of the religious opinions of the two candidates I am totally ignorant.