Mr WEST (for Mr. J. H. Catts) asked the Postmaster-General, upon notice -

1.   Is it proposed to abolish or declare excess the position of a number of engineersintraining in the Postmaster-General's Department, New South Wales; if so, how many?

2.   How many engineers-in-training are there in New South Wales, and how many of these were appointed during the regime of the present Postmaster-General ?

3.   What is the total amount of salaries, expenses, &c, paid to these men since their appointments as junior engineers or engineersintraining?

4.   What does the Minister propose to do with the officers if their positions are abolished ?

5.   What compensation is it proposed to give to these men for the loss of career and sacrifice of private time and energy?