§ MR. NANNETTI (Dublin, College Green)To ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that ex-postman Patrick J. Cahill, of Dublin, passed the Civil Service examination in September, 1871, secured his appointment to the establishment, as messenger, in London, and continued in that capacity (having in March. 1872, been transferred to Dublin) until March, 1875; that he was then allocated the duty which for about twenty years previously had been performed by an established postman; and, if so, whether, having regard to his claim on the Department, as secured by his Civil Service certificate and appointment to the establishment in September, 1871, and to the fact that he was not required to pass any further examination, he will explain the grounds on which the Department refuses to treat as pensionable his certificated service from September, 1871, to September, 1878.
(Answered by Lord Stanley.) Cahill was a boy messenger up till 1875, when he became an auxiliary postman. Service as boy messenger is not pensionable. The auxiliary duty which he performed from 1875 to 1878 was only part time duty and was also not pensionable. This duty had been performed from 1873 to 1875 by another auxiliary postman and not by an established postman. Previous to 1873 it had formed part of an established postman's duty, but a rearrangement was made in that year under which the established duty was split up. Although Cahill had to obtain a Civil Service certificate in 1871 for appointment as boy messenger, a further certificate became necessary and was obtained for him when he was appointed tot he establishment. It was only from 966 the time when he began to perform a full time adult duty that his service could be reckoned for pension.