HC Deb 29 March 1898 vol 55 cc1238-9
DR. TANNER

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether the present expenses of transport of mails to Coachford and Donoughmore is £360 per annum; whether, there being now a light railway running for some years to both these points, advantage will be taken of the advantage a railway gives beyond an ordinary mail car; and if, as alleged, the Cork and Muskerry Railway Company are prepared to deliver at both points and for post offices intermediary for the annual sum of £250?

MR. HANBURY

The present expense of transport of mails to Coachford and Donoughmore cannot be separated from the expense of serving other places, which are upon the same line of post and to which the railway does not extend. Although there is a railway running to Coachford and Donoughmore, the trains are at hours which would afford a less convenient service at both places than is afforded by road. The Postmaster General is not aware that the Cork and Muskerry Railway Company are prepared to convey mails for Coachford, Donoughmore, and other stations for £250 a year, but he could not, in any case, entertain the offer, as the service would not be equally good with that already afforded.