84 . The Dumfries Post Office, 1642-1910. 



ence with the County of Ayr and the Towns and Villages along the 

 line of Railway being transported round by Carlisle and Glasgow 

 in place of directly to their place of address. 



That these obstacles and several others might be stated to a 

 ready communication can very easily be cured at no great expense 

 and be a mighty boon to the population along and within the 

 range of the South-Western Railway. And that a Memorial by 

 the Council be presented to the Postmaster-General on the 

 subject." 



These resolutions were seconded by Bailie Leighton and 

 unanimously adopted, and it was remitted to the former Com- 

 mittee to prepare the memorial resolved upon. 



In August, 1852, the delivery of letters on Sundays was again 

 brought under the notice of the Council, and we are informed 

 in the minutes dated 6th August of that year, " The Council then 

 on the suggestion of Mr M'Gowan took up the delivery of the 

 letters at the Post Office on Sundays. Agree to memorialise and 

 represent to the Post Office authorities the great inconvenience at 

 present experienced from the irregular delivery on Sundays, in the 

 middle of the day, and pray that the delivery be betwixt four and 

 five in the afternoon in future." At the Council meeting on 21st 

 September, however, Mr M'Gowan stated " That from certain 

 communications from the Post Office authorities to the Town 

 Clerk that the Mails would be shortly accelerated, the Memorial 

 as to the delivery of the letters on Sundays had not been sent off, 

 and that no movement had been made in the meantime." 



Earlier in the spring of the same year the old question of a 

 new office had been re-opened, and in the Council Minutes of dat'3 

 2nd April, 1852, it is recorded — " Mr Dunbar brought forward the 

 great necessity there was for an alteration in the site of the Post 

 Office which was at present very inconvenient. The Council 

 remit the matter to the following Committee to consider the 

 same and to report. [Viz., Bailie Leighton, Bailie Crombie, 

 Dean Payne, Messrs Sloan, M'Gowan, Dunbar, and Smyth — three 

 a quorum. Mr Dunbar convener.] At the following meeting on 

 7th May, 1852, the above Committee recommended that the Meal 

 Market and Granary above belonging to the Burgh be fitted up as 

 a Post Office and let to the Post Master at the rent allowed to that 

 gentleman for such an office. Thereafter much correspondence 



