40. Captain CRAIGasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that in January, 1908, the medical officer condemned the telegraph instrument room at Westport as being too small and unhealthy for the staff, and that no steps have been taken to effect a remedy; whether the lavatory arrangements for the women staff were also condemned and for some years past this staff have had to use a lavatory, in a common yard, which entails their passing the men's lavatories; whether, owing to the lack of waiting-room accommodation, the boy messengers are compelled to wait in the public office, where they overhear the public transacting their private business; whether the retiring rooms for the male staff and postmen for some years have been used for the reception of bags and bicycles, to the inconvenience of the officers concerned; whether he can state the reasons for the delay in putting info operation the proposals for the extension of the post office premises; and whether he will give the matter his early attention?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI am aware of the insufficient accommodation at the Westport office, and I have obtained authority for the expenditure necessary for its improvement. Unfortunately, however, before the alterations can be begun the postmaster must vacate his residence, and he has been unable to obtain a house in Westport. There has been difficulty in arranging his transfer to another office, but I hope this difficulty will shortly be overcome, and the work at Westport will then be at once put in hand.