asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the delay in the delivery of the morning mail to the residents of Athlone; whether, in some cases, four hours have elapsed from the time of the arrival of the mails, at 9.15 a.m., until delivery, and to ask that delivery be expedited.
[ WRITTEN ANSWERS. ] - POSTAL FACILITIES IN ATHLONE.
The first delivery in Athlone commences at 7 a.m. and the second delivery at 11 a.m. The second delivery in most parts of the town is completed at 1 p.m., and as the return mail is not despatched until after 4 p.m., there is ample time for reply.
The service afforded is satisfactory and compares favourably with the Postal arrangements of other towns like Athlone. It may be possible to commence the second delivery slightly earlier, and I will look into this.