To ask the Postmaster-General if he is aware that there is no telephone service in the town of Moate, although the wires are about five hundred yards from the Post Office; and will he state is it a fact that twenty traders are required to guarantee a certain sum if they want a public phone in the town; and further, if traders and others wish to benefit by having a 'phone in their own firms or private homes, on what conditions can they obtain same; and further, will he state whether it is his intention to facilitate the people of Moate by placing a public 'phone in the town for their benefit; and also, will he state whether he is in a position to give the telegram messenger of Streamstown a bicycle to enable him to deliver his wires punctually, as heretofore the boy was not supplied with a bicycle, which means a great delay in delivery?
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. - TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH SERVICES IN WESTMEATH.
SEAN O LAIDHIN
The telephone system has not yet been extended to Moate. I shall have enquiry made whether the opening either of an exchange or public call office at that place would be warranted, and under what conditions. The minimum number of subscribers required to justify the establishment of an exchange and the rentals to be charged would depend upon the annual working expenses. If the estimated revenue arising from a call office, without an exchange, falls short of the working expenses a guarantee would be required to cover the deficiency.
Streamstown Post Office is not a telegraph office, but the public telegraph business in the district is transacted at the local railway station by the Midland Great Western Railway Co. on behalf of the Post Office Department. The number of messages for delivery is very small, and the company state that the extent of the work is not sufficient to justify the supply of a bicycle to the boy messenger. There does not appear to be any undue delay in the delivery of telegrams from Streamstown Railway Station.
May I ask is it the intention of the Postmaster-General to give this boy in Streamstown a bicycle? I can assure you there is a great delay caused in the delivery of wires when he has to walk a distance of two or three miles.
My information is that no serious delay has arisen, but I will have further enquiries made.