DR. KENNYI beg to ask the Postmaster General, whether it is a rule of the Post Office that post-masterships are to be given only to those who have been previously employed in the service; whether this rule is rigidly applicable to post offices which are Crown Offices; whether Maryborough (Queen's County) Post Office is a Crown office; and, whether Mr. Fennell, recently appointed as postmaster to that office, had any previous connection with the Postal Service; if so, what was the nature of the connection; and, if not, why was the rule above referred to departed from in his case.
§ MR. ARNOLD MORLEYCrown Offices are simply offices that are the property of the Department and have really nothing to do with what I understand to be the object of the hon. Member's question. Consequent upon contemplated alterations which would have reduced the Telegraph work at Maryborough, the salary was reduced provisionally from £100 to £90—this being below the amount at which persons already in the service are as a rule appointed; and it was under these circumstances that the appointment was conferred on Mr. Fennell, who was unconnected with the Service, and who was strongly recommended.