§ 84. Mr. AGG-GARDNERasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that, in consequence of the reduction of three superior appointments in the Cheltenham post office, the additional duties thus imposed on certain of the overseers cannot be completed within the scheduled time; that, from the same cause, there is now frequently no officer on duty of higher rank than a sorting clerk or a telegraphist, thereby preventing the public, upon occasions, from obtaining certain quantities of stamps from the reserve stock in charge of the assistant superintendent: and whether he will consider the advisability of increasing the higher appointments to meet the requirements and responsibilities in that office?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe question of the number of supervising appointments at Cheltenham was fully considered as recently as June of this year. I am satisfied that the existing posts are sufficient to meet the requirements of the work and that the supervising duties are not too heavy to admit of their being properly performed within the scheduled attendances. I am having inquiry made as regards the suggested difficulty in obtaining stamps from the reserve stock.