§ MR. KNOXI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury why, on some recent occasions the mails for Derry, arriving in 782 Dublin at about 8 a.m., have been sent by special train to Portadown, and not forwarded thence by special train, so that they arrived at 6 p.m., though the ordinary train to Derry, viâ Enniskillen, leaving Dublin at 9 a.m., arrives in Derry at 3.40 p.m.?
*THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. R. W. HANBURT,) PrestonThe rule as to the use of special trains for the English mails for Belfast and Derry on those occasions when the Packet is late is that a special train is to be employed when by its use an interval can be given for reply by the return mail the same day. A departure from Dublin at 8 a.m. admits of a reply from Belfast but does not admit of a reply from Derry. When, therefore, the packet is so late in arriving that the special train cannot leave Dublin by 7.30 a.m. the special train is only ran to Belfast and the mails for Derry have been put down at Portadown and forwarded by the next ordinary train. The Postmaster General finds, however, that by putting the Derry mail out at Dundalk, and sending it round by Enniskillen, it can reach Derry as the hon. Member indicates, by 3.40 p.m., and instructions shall be given accordingly.