§ Mr. DELANYasked the Postmaster-General whether he has received an application made on behalf of Mrs. Julia Egan, Mountmellick, widow of John Egan, a rural postman, who died on the 28th December, 1908, for a gratuity; whether he is aware that Egan, who was transferred from Borrisokane, county Tipperary, to take 10 charge of the post from Mountmellick to Clonaslee, Queen's County, had twenty-six years' service, eleven as auxiliary and fifteen as appointed postman, with an unblemished record; and, as his widow is helpless and unprovided for, with a family of five small children, the eldest only 12 years, can he say what decision has been come to in this case?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Sydney Buxton)I have received no such application. The Superannuation Acts at present in force make no provision for the widows of deceased officers. I understand that the case of Mrs. Egan has already been brought under the notice of the trustees of the Rowland Hill Benevolent Fund, and that a grant has been made to her from the funds at their disposal.