MR. PATRICK O'BRIENTo ask; the Postmaster-General if he can explain why, notwithstanding the fact that several officers of rank and experience in the Dublin Telegraph Office have applied for postmasterships in Ireland, no appointments have been made for years from amongst the members of that office.
(Answered by Lord Stanley.) The claims and qualifications of officers in the Dublin Telegraph Office who have from time to time applied for postmasterships have been carefully considered with those of other candidates. Every endeavour is made to select the best qualified men; and, if it is the case that officers from the 962 Dublin Telegraph Office have not been successful in obtaining appointments for which they have applied, the explanation is that other applicants were found to possess higher qualifications for the vacant posts.