Mr. TYSON WILSONasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that, 1496W owing to the pressure of telegraphic business at the Central Telegraph Office, the superintendent of the special events staff has been asked to refrain, as far as possible, from withdrawing telegraphists from the Central Office for telegraphic duties in connection with important special events; whether he is aware that it is proposed to loan certain telegraphists from the Central Telegraph Office to assist in the Department known as the Dead Letter Office; and whether he will cause inquiry to be made into this proposal?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI have given no instructions of the kind suggested on account of pressure of telegraph business in the Central Telegraph Office; but the extension in the provinces of continuous. Wheatstone working and the consequent extended knowledge of Punching Wheat-stone slip has made it less necessary than in the past to draw disproportionately upon the Central Telegraph Office for assistance at special events. Special circumstances in the Returned Letter Office have made advisable the temporary loan of nine telegraphists to it. I see no reason to modify this arrangement.