§ MR. SAMUEL YOUNG (Cavan, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, with reference to the postal districts of Ballyroney and Katesbridge, county Down, whether he is aware that letters from England and Scotland do not reach these districts under two or three days, and letters from Bembridge, only nine miles distant from Ballyroney railway station, take nearly two days in transit, and that letters there from have to be sent through Rathfriland post office, and reach there too late for the cross-channel mails on same evening; and whether he will reconsider the desirability of making new arrangements by train for the accommodation of these two districts.
§ MR. HANBURYAS there is no second post in the day to or from Ballyroney and Katesbridge, letters sent from England and Scotland by night mail do not reach those places until the second day after posting, and letters from those places are not received in England and Scotland in time for delivery on the following morning. Returns are being taken with the view of ascertaining whether there is enough correspondence to warrant the establishment of a second post to and from Ballyroney and Katesbridge. The existing night mail service to Ballyroney and Katesbridge is performed by foot postman from Rathfriland, which in turn receives its mails by car from Newry. There are no trains by which Ballyroney and Katesbridge could be served in the morning. At present the mails reach Ballyroney at 7.5 a.m. and Katesbridge at 8.5 a.m., and are despatched from Ballyroney at 5.55 p.m. and from Katesbridge at 5 p.m. Letters 1324 posted at Banbridge (which is presumably meant, not Bembridge) in time for the mail leaving that town at 9.30 p.m. are delivered in Ballyroney and Katesbridge on the following morning.