§ MR. FFRENCH (Wexford, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he is aware that an application, largely signed by the ratepayers of Ramsgrange and the surrounding
† See (4) Debates, ci., 1346.206 neighbourhood, was made for a telegraph office at Ramsgrange; and whether, seeing that the usual guarantee, as required by the Postmaster General, was offered, he can state on what grounds the telegraph office was refused.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINThe Postmaster General is aware of the application for a telegraph office at Ramsgrange to which the hon. Member refers, and he has also received a copy of a resolution passed by the Wexford County Council on the same subject. The grounds on which he has been unable to accede to the application are that there is already a telegraph office at Arthurstown, only a mile and a half distant, and that the telegraph business of the locality is not at present sufficient to justify two offices. The Returns which have been taken show that only about two telegrams a week are now sent which would be handed in at Ramsgrange instead of at Arthurstown.