§ MR. ESSEX (Gloucestershire, Cirencester)I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the inhabitants of Naunton, Upper Slaughter, and Lower Slaughter, and the surrounding country in the County of Gloucester, are wholly without telegraphic communication; whether he will at once proceed to give such facilities to these districts; and whether, if he gives such communication, he will consult the local councils as to the routes to be chosen for his wires so as to to do as little hurt to the beauty of these places as may be.
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONI have recently authorised an extension of the telegraph system to the village of Upper Slaughter, which is only about three-quarters of a mile from Lower Slaughter. Telegraph offices at both villages would not be warranted, and Upper Slaughter appears to be the better centre. A local landowner and the local authorities concerned have granted the way leave required, so that I may assume that the route chosen is satisfactory to them. A telegraph office at Naunton was offered under guarantee three years ago, and I am prepared to renew the offer if desired.