§ MR. WILLIAM RUTHERFORDI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether the post of Crown mine agent for the counties of Anglesey, Carnarvon, Denbigh, Merioneth, and Montgomery recently became vacant; and, if so, under what circumstances: and whether any, and, if so, what appointment has been made thereto, and the date of such appointment; and what are the special mining or other engineering qualifications of the gentleman who has received the appointment.
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. George Whiteley, Yorkshire, W.R., Pudsey)My hon. friend has asked me to reply to this Question. The position of Crown mine agent for North Wales became vacant owing to the death of Mr. Job Bowen, the late holder of the office. Mr. R. O. Roberts, solicitor, of Carnarvon, was appointed to fill the vacancy on the 24th June last. No special mining or engineering qualifications are necessary. The duties attaching to the post are threefold in character— namely, those of a solicitor, an accountant, and a surveyor. Mr. Roberts was considered to possess 872 in the greatest degree the necessary combination of these qualifications.
§ MR. WILLIAM RUTHERFORDIs it not the case that the office became vacant owing to the death of one of the joint holders?
§ MR. GEORGE WHITELEYWhen the second holder was appointed two years ago it was expressly stipulated that on the death of Mr. Job Owen ho would have no claim to the appointment.
§ MR. WILLIAM RUTHERFORDDo I understand that a mining agent needs no knowledge as a miner or engineer?
§ MR. GEORGE WHITELEYI will send the hon. Gentleman a schedule of the duties appertaining to the office, and he will see that the mining qualification is a very subsidiary one. There is an inspector-general of mines for the whole district.
§ MR. WILLIAM RUTHERFORDWas not the gentleman appointed election agent for the President of the Board of Trade, which was probably his only engineering qualification?
§ MR. GEORGE WHITELEYAt any rate he appears to have engineered the election pretty well.