§ MR. FETHERSTONHAUGH (Fermanagh, N.)To ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that Mr. William Hurst, J.P., Drumderg, county Fermanagh, has been compelled to pay the post office, Enniskillen, the sum of £3 3s. for delivery of his letters in his own post bag at his gate for the year 1906, though for many years past the sum demanded for that service was £1 1s. only; what is the reason for so large an increase; and whether, as Mr. Hurst would be entitled to free delivery of his letters daily at his house if not put in his own post bag, he can see his way to reduce or abolish the charge for delivery of his letters in his own post bag.
(Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton. ) Prior to the 1st of January last Mr. Hurst paid £2 6s. a year in respect of his private bag, namely £1 1s. for making it up, and £1 5s. for its conveyance by mail cart. The proper fee for conveyance was £2 2s., but apparently the mail contractor omitted to charge the full fee. The fees are now collected by the Department, and Mr. Hurst has, therefore, been charged the correct fee of £2 2s. a year for conveyance, thus making his total payment for the year £3 3s. I see no reason for waiving or reducing the charges in this case. By using a private bag Mr. Hurst secures a delivery at 6.30 a.m., whereas if his letters were delivered by postmen in the ordinary way the delivery would not be effected until 9 a.m.
† See (4) Debates, cxiii., 411.