§ 31. Mr. HENRY TERRELLasked the Postmaster-General whether he has received communications from the Gloucester Chamber of Commerce, the Gloucester Traders' Association, and other important bodies in the city of Gloucester, protesting against the proposal to close the Gloucester post office at 9 p.m. instead of at 10 p.m., as heretofore; and whether, having regard to the inconvenience which would be caused by such early closing of the post office, more particularly to business men in the city, he will reconsider his decision in the matter and continue the public service at the post office to 10 p.m., as heretofore?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI have received communications on this subject from the bodies referred to. The hours of public business at the Gloucester post office were recently altered as stated, because the amount of business transacted after 9 p.m. was found to be but small. The number and character of the transactions at Gloucester were such as to make it clear that no real inconvenience will be caused when the public have become accustomed to the change. In the circumstances I regret that I am not prepared to sanction a reversion to the arrangements formerly in force.