§ Mr. CREANasked the Postmaster-General whether he will say on whose instructions several important duties in the Cork telegraph office remain unfilled, and why the supervising forces are, for the most part, diverted from their express duties to those of an operative nature?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThere are two vacancies at Cork for telegraphists, and two for learners. These will be filled as soon as possible. Supervising officers have not been withdrawn from their proper duties, but have assisted in operating work sometimes, when there has been exceptional pressure.
§ Mr. CREANasked the Postmaster-General whether he will grant a Return from ten of the principal towns in Cork County having direct communication with Cork City, showing the approximate number of waits per day given by the Cork City office to them when telegrams are offered; whether these waits have been in some cases repeated; and how many reports have been made on this subject, and with what result, since 31st March last.
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI do not think any useful purpose would be served by such a Return as that suggested. I am informed that the number of "waits" has recently been considerably reduced, and that most of them are for a very short time.
§ Mr. CREANasked the Postmaster-General whether he was aware of the amount of extra work thrown on the Cork telegraph staff in consequence of the addition to the number of daily papers published in that city, and the receipt and transmission of Marconi telegrams; and whether it is intended to bring the operative strength of the staff up to a pitch by which serious delay to public messages may be avoided?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI am aware that additional work has been thrown upon the Cork telegraph staff by the establishment of a new daily paper and by the "wireless" station at Crookhaven. Measures for diverting certain work from Cork are being considered, and the necessity for staffing the office adequately is fully realised.