The Sun.
London, England, 1836-05-24 00:00:00

MILFORD.

The establishment at Milford has been maintained at an
expenditure which, as compared with the receipts, far ex-
ceeds that of any of the other Post Office stations.
From the sth April, 1824, to the sth January, 1836, the
total receipts have amounted to 26,5921. is. 6d., and the
expenditure during the same period, has been no less than
220,9861,—shdwing a 100 of 194,3941.
The correspondence con: eyed by the Milford packets
have been so limited, and the expense of maintaining the
station so very great; that we doubt if the benefits which
have hitherto resulted from the 11 ford establishment are
at all commensurate with the expense it,,lurred for it. Let-
ters from many of the towns in the South of Ireland are
sent via Holyhead, although the distance is considerably
shorter by Milford. The inefficient state of the' packets,
the consequent uncertainty of the passages whit;' they
make, and the want of any improvement in the inland (I,lm-
munication, in a great measure account for this statioo
being so little used for Post Office purposes.
The same causes, added to the want of accommodation
at Milford and Dunmore, and the great inconvenience of
embarking in open boats in Milford Haven, appear to have
prevented passengers from using this line of communica-
tion. With respect to the mode of obtaining the stores at
this station, we shall quote the evidence of the officer placed
in charge of it.
Captain Bevis, who was appointed" agent in September
last, says--" that on his arrival there he was particularly
struck with the irregular manner in which the stores were
supplied for packets : that lie considered the system adopted
by the Post-office the very worst possible. He felt assured
that if the stores were obtained by contract, in place of
being always being supplied by the same tradesman, a saving
of full 30 per cent. would be effected, and. a better quality
of stores received."
Putting economy altogether :out of the question, Cap-
tain Bevis objects most strongly to getting the stores from
a tradesman here, and, always from the same person ; inas-
much as it affords room for peculation, and puts the officers
of the establishment in contact with the tradesmen em-
ployed, in a manner which ought not to exist in a Govern-
ment dePaitiment.
An old hulk, moored in the harbour, is used as a depot
for the coals and other articles in store. There is also on
board of this ship a forge and workshops, where any small
repairS are executed. A storekeeper resides on board, and
superintends the receipts and issue of the stores. He was
formerly mate of a packet : his salary was then 41.-a lunar
month, with provisions, which he estimated at 11.8 s. more.
He now receives only 41. 4s. a month, without provisions.
His duties are very arduous, and his salary seems quite in-
adequate to the responsibility of his situation. In addition
to the superintendence of the receipts and issue of stores, he
has all the smiths, boiler-makers, and ether workmen under
his controul ; some of whom receive salaries -very much
higher than his own.
The average value of coals and other stores in charge at
Milford is about 2,00U1. No part of these stores are sup-
plied by contract.
The agent purchases coals when and where he thinks
proper ; and tallow, oil, cordage, and other small stores,
which were formerly brought from Liverpool, are now
bought from a tradesman at Milford, under .the authority
of the Post Office. The same tradesman is always em-
ployed.
" Mr. Davies (the storekeeper) thinks it would be much
better for them to have all their stores from the Dockyard,
as they would be of the best quality, and they would be
sure of having the proper quantity delivered on board."