§ MR. MACALEESEI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he is aware that the late postmistress at Newbliss, county Monaghan, still resides in the post office in that town, notwithstanding that her successor was appointed several months ago; and can he state who is the tenant of the Newbliss Post Office, and if the late postmistress is still the tenant, is that arrangement in accordance with General Post Office practice; and will he say how many females are employed there as telegraph practitioners or learners, and whether complaints have been made to the chief postmaster in Dublin that some of these young women are occasionally employed as postal messengers; and how many persons altogether, male and female, are employed in connection with this post office, and how many are Roman Catholics.
§ MR. HANBURYThe fact is as stated. The late sub-postmistress of Newbliss still resides in the house in which the post office is situated, and there is no objection, under the rules of the Department, to her so doing. The present sub-postmistress is the tenant of the premises. One female assistant and one female telegraph learner are employed at the Newbliss office; and the services of these persons are occasionally utilised in the delivery of telegrams. It is not known that any complaints have been made against this practice, which is not in violation of any rule. The total number of persons employed in connection with the Newbliss office is nine—six men and three women. Nothing is known as regards their religion.