IS Excellency the Governor-General in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, by and with the advice of the Executive Council thereof, in exercise of the powers conferred by the Post and Telegraph Act 1901, has been pleased to make the following Regulations, to take effect on and from the 30th day of June, 1902, and to revoke on and from that date Regulations in force in any State under any of the State Acts specified in the First Schedule to that Act, so far as they are inconsistent with these Regulations.
JAMES G. DRAKE,
Postmaster-General.
GENERAL REGULATIONS.
SUNDAY ARRANGEMENTS.
Postal.
1. Country Post Offices, where mails arrive late on Saturday night or on Sunday, shall, if required by the Deputy Postmaster-General, open for the delivery of Correspondence for one hour before or after Divine Service, as may be considered most convenient to the public.
Telegraphic.
2. An officer must be in attendance at the Chief Telegraph Office of each State throughout the day and night to attend to inquiries. He will receive telegrams for transmission to similar offices within the Commonwealth at ordinary rates for press and double the ordinary rates for other telegrams; to certain principal offices in each State to be specified by the Deputy Postmaster-General, which are in call at 9 p.m., at the foregoing rates; to New Zealand, Great Britain, and Foreign Countries at ordinary rates.
Telegrams may also be handed in at 9 p.m. at the principal offices before-mentioned for transmission at the rates quoted above.
HOLIDAY ARRANGEMENTS.
3. On Christmas Day and Good Friday the same arrangements shall be observed as on Sunday; and on other Public Holidays the arrangements shall be as follow :—
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="width:547.2pt; border-collapse:collapse"><tbody><tr style="height:63.45pt"><td style="width:324.65pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:2pt; vertical-align:middle"><p class="Style20" style="text-align:center; widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10pt"><span></span></p></td><td style="width:200.6pt; border:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:middle"><p class="Style19" style="text-align:center; widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10pt"><span class="FontStyle96" style="font-size:10pt; font-weight:normal">New Year’s Day, Easter Monday, King’s Birthday, Boxing Day, and other Holidays proclaimed throughout the Commonwealth.</span></p></td><td style="width:142.15pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:2pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:middle"><p class="Style19" style="text-align:center; widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10pt"><span class="FontStyle96" style="font-size:10pt; font-weight:normal">Other days proclaimed Holidays in any State.</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height:23.5pt"><td style="width:324.65pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:2pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Style23" style="margin-top:6pt; text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10pt"><span class="FontStyle80" style="font-size:10pt; font-weight:normal">General Post Office—</span></p></td><td style="width:200.6pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Style20" style="text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10pt"><span></span></p></td><td style="width:142.15pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:2pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Style20" style="text-align:justify; widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10pt"><span></span></p></td></tr><tr style="height:21.15pt"><td style="width:324.65pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:2pt; vertical-align:bottom"><p class="Style23" style="margin-left:20.6pt; text-indent:-9pt; widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10pt"><span class="FontStyle80" style="font-size:10pt; font-weight:normal">The Delivery Office, Dead Letter Office, Registration Office, and office for sale of postage stamps to be open</span><span style="width:14.63pt; text-indent:0pt; display:inline-block"></span></p></td><td style="width:200.6pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:bottom"><p class="Style23" style="widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10pt"><span class="FontStyle80" style="font-size:10pt; font-weight:normal">From 9 to 12 noon </span><span style="width:75.2pt; font-family:'Lucida Console', monospace; display:inline-block">............</span></p></td><td style="width:142.15pt; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:2pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:bottom"><p class="Style23" style="widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10pt"><span class="FontStyle80" style="font-size:10pt; font-weight:normal">As on ordinary days.</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height:4pt"><td style="width:324.65pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:2pt; vertical-align:bottom"><p class="Style23" style="margin-left:20.6pt; text-indent:-9pt; widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10pt"><span class="FontStyle80" style="font-size:10pt; font-weight:normal">Private boxes to be open as usual.</span></p></td><td style="width:200.6pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:bottom"><p class="Style20" style="widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10pt"><span></span></p></td><td style="width:142.15pt; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:2pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:bottom"><p class="Style20" style="widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10pt"><span></span></p></td></tr><tr style="height:9pt"><td style="width:324.65pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:2pt; vertical-align:bottom"><p class="Style23" style="margin-left:20.6pt; text-indent:-9pt; widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10pt"><span class="FontStyle80" style="font-size:10pt; font-weight:normal">The country mails usually despatched in the afternoon and evening, also the coastwise, Inter-State, and foreign mails, to close</span><span class="FontStyle80" style="font-size:10pt; font-weight:normal"></span></p></td><td style="width:200.6pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:bottom"><p class="Style23" style="widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10pt"><span class="FontStyle80" style="font-size:10pt; font-weight:normal">At 12 noon, unless otherwise specially intimated.</span></p></td><td style="width:142.15pt; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:2pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:bottom"><p class="Style23" style="widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10pt"><span class="FontStyle80" style="font-size:10pt; font-weight:normal">As on ordinary days.</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height:12.1pt"><td style="width:324.65pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:2pt; vertical-align:bottom"><p class="Style23" style="margin-left:20.6pt; text-indent:-9pt; widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10pt"><span class="FontStyle80" style="font-size:10pt; font-weight:normal">The first delivery only to be effected by postmen.</span></p></td><td style="width:200.6pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:bottom"><p class="Style20" style="widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10pt"><span></span></p></td><td style="width:142.15pt; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:2pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:bottom"><p class="Style20" style="widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10pt"><span></span></p></td></tr><tr style="height:11.9pt"><td style="width:324.65pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:2pt; vertical-align:bottom"><p class="Style23" style="margin-left:20.6pt; text-indent:-9pt; widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10pt"><span class="FontStyle80" style="font-size:10pt; font-weight:normal">The Parcels Office to be open </span><span style="width:119.08pt; text-indent:0pt; font-family:'Lucida Console', monospace; display:inline-block">...................</span></p></td><td style="width:200.6pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:bottom"><p class="Style23" style="widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10pt"><span class="FontStyle80" style="font-size:10pt; font-weight:normal">From 9 a.m. to 12 noon </span><span style="width:55.48pt; font-family:'Lucida Console', monospace; display:inline-block">.........</span></p></td><td style="width:142.15pt; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:2pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:bottom"><p class="Style23" style="widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10pt"><span class="FontStyle80" style="font-size:10pt; font-weight:normal">As on ordinary days.</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height:13.55pt"><td style="width:324.65pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:2pt; vertical-align:bottom"><p class="Style23" style="margin-left:20.6pt; text-indent:-9pt; widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10pt"><span class="FontStyle80" style="font-size:10pt; font-weight:normal">The Money Order Office to be open </span><span style="width:93.81pt; text-indent:0pt; font-family:'Lucida Console', monospace; display:inline-block">...............</span></p></td><td style="width:200.6pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:bottom"><p class="Style23" style="widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10pt"><span class="FontStyle80" style="font-size:10pt; font-weight:normal">From 9.30 a.m. to 12 noon </span><span style="width:42.98pt; font-family:'Lucida Console', monospace; display:inline-block">.......</span></p></td><td style="width:142.15pt; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:2pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:bottom"><p class="Style23" style="widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10pt"><span class="FontStyle80" style="font-size:10pt; font-weight:normal">As on ordinary days.</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height:12.1pt"><td style="width:324.65pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:2pt; vertical-align:bottom"><p class="Style23" style="margin-left:20.6pt; text-indent:-9pt; widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10pt"><span class="FontStyle80" style="font-size:10pt; font-weight:normal">The Chief Telegraph Office to be open </span><span style="width:82.71pt; text-indent:0pt; font-family:'Lucida Console', monospace; display:inline-block">.............</span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:346.75pt; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:2pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:bottom"><p class="Style23" style="text-align:center; widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10pt"><span class="FontStyle80" style="font-size:10pt; font-weight:normal">As on ordinary days.</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height:21.15pt"><td style="width:324.65pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:2pt; vertical-align:bottom"><p class="Style23" style="margin-left:20.6pt; text-indent:-9pt; widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10pt"><span class="FontStyle80" style="font-size:10pt; font-weight:normal">Branch Offices in the Cities and Suburban and Country Offices to be open</span><span style="width:12.19pt; text-indent:0pt; display:inline-block"></span></p></td><td style="width:200.6pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:bottom"><p class="Style23" style="margin-left:12.9pt; text-indent:-12.9pt; widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10pt"><span class="FontStyle80" style="font-size:10pt; font-weight:normal">From 9 to 12 noon and if they do not ordinarily close at 6 p.m., from 6 to 8 p.m.</span></p></td><td style="width:142.15pt; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:2pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Style23" style="widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10pt"><span class="FontStyle80" style="font-size:10pt; font-weight:normal">As on ordinary days.</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height:12.85pt"><td style="width:324.65pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:2pt; vertical-align:bottom"><p class="Style23" style="margin-left:20.6pt; text-indent:-9pt; widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10pt"><span class="FontStyle80" style="font-size:10pt; font-weight:normal">The first delivery only to be made by postmen.</span></p></td><td style="width:200.6pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:bottom"><p class="Style20" style="widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10pt"><span></span></p></td><td style="width:142.15pt; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:2pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:bottom"><p class="Style20" style="widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10pt"><span></span></p></td></tr><tr style="height:14.4pt"><td style="width:324.65pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:2pt; vertical-align:bottom"><p class="Style23" style="margin-left:20.6pt; text-indent:-9pt; widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10pt"><span class="FontStyle80" style="font-size:10pt; font-weight:normal">The iron pillar receivers and letter-boxes in the city and metropolitan suburbs to be cleared</span></p></td><td style="width:200.6pt; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:1.62pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:bottom"><p class="Style23" style="margin-left:12.9pt; text-indent:-12.9pt; widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10pt"><span class="FontStyle80" style="font-size:10pt; font-weight:normal">Only at the ordinary hours in the morning.</span></p></td><td style="width:142.15pt; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:2pt; padding-left:1.62pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Style23" style="widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10pt"><span class="FontStyle80" style="font-size:10pt; font-weight:normal">As on ordinary days.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table>
Note.—The above will not apply to local holidays gazetted for special purposes upon which days offices will be open as on ordinary days.
If British and Foreign mails arrive, or are despatched on any of the above-mentioned holidays, special arrangements must be made to suit the public convenience.
POSTAL REGULATIONS.
LETTERS.
No letter may be of inconvenient form or dimensions, or contain any article likely to injure any person or the contents of the mail-bags.
Letters not fully prepaid, or posted wholly unpaid, shall be charged double the deficiency on delivery.
LATE FEES.
On letters posted in the Commonwealth, for delivery therein, the late fee shall be 1d. each; and
On letters posted for transmission to places beyond the Commonwealth—each a single rate of postage.
POST-CARDS.
1. Single postcards, and reply or double cards, may be transmitted to the places and at the rates prescribed and in force in the various States.
2. Single cards must bear the heading “Postcard” on the face, and reply cards the heading “Postcard with Reply Paid” on the face of the first half, and “Reply Postcard” on the face of the second part.
3. Private cards (single and reply), bearing adhesive stamps, may also be transmitted as postcards, at the same rates of postage. They must be composed of ordinary cardboard—not thicker than the material used for the postcard issued by the Department, and of approved colour ; may not measure more than 5½ x 3½ inches nor less than 4 x 3 inches ; must bear the heading indicated above either in writing or in print on the face, and, in other respects must conform to the rules relating to postcards.
4. Postcards must be sent unenclosed. The name and address of the sender may be indicated on the face, either in writing or by means of a stamp, autograph stamp, or any other typographical process and engravings or advertisements may be printed thereon. But nothing may be written or printed which, either by tending to prevent the easy and quick reading of the postal directions (“Registered,” “Acknowledgement of Delivery,” &c.), or the address, or by inconvenient proximity to the stamps, or in any other way, is likely to embarrass the officials of the Department in dealing with the postcard, and any postcard posted in contravention of this rule will be liable to be withheld from delivery.
5. On the reverse side or back of the card, any communication, whether of the nature of a letter or otherwise (advertisement, engraving, &c,), may be written or printed. Except address labels, or stamps in prepayment of postage (where necessary) no article of any kind may be affixed or attached to postcards, nor may a postcard be folded, cut, or in any respect altered. If any of these rules be infringed the card will be treated as a letter, and charged on delivery accordingly.
6. Unpaid, or insufficiently prepaid, postcards shall be charged double the deficient postage on delivery. The reply half of a double postcard issued in another State or country shall be available for return only to the State or country of origin, and must have been received through the post attached to the corresponding half, otherwise it shall be treated as unpaid and charged accordingly.
7. The impressed stamp of a postcard may be used only in prepayment of postage on such postcard.
Impressing or printing stamps on private postcards.
One penny and one penny-halfpenny postage stamps may be impressed or printed under the following conditions, on cards supplied by the public, but application, accompanied by a specimen card, must first be made, in writing, to the Deputy Postmaster-General :—
1. The cards may not measure more than 5½ x 3½ inches, nor less than 4 x 3 inches, or exceed the thickness of the postcard issued by the Department and must be of approved colour.
2. Not less than 500 cards of one size and in suitable sheets may be received for stamping at any one time.
3. There is no fee for stamping, but the value of the stamps must be paid in advance.
4. No commission shall be allowed on the value of stamps impressed or printed on postcards for licensed vendors.
PACKETS
Definition of Packets.
Packets may consist of Commercial Papers, Printed Papers, or Patterns, Samples, and Merchandise as hereinafter defined.
1. WITHIN THE COMMONWEALTH AND TO BRITISH NEW GUINEA, NEW ZEALAND, AND FIJI.
Commercial Papers.
Commercial papers include all papers and documents not wholly printed, which have not the character of actual or personal correspondence, such as—
Acceptances.
Accounts, Invoices, and Receipts. The remark “With thanks,” and advice as to when or how the goods are forwarded will be allowed; and they may bear the ordinary trade notices (whether printed or impressed with a rubber or other stamp) such as “All empties returned must be advised” ; “When remitting please return the statement to be receipted” ; “Terms, cash in advance” ; “Terms. 2½ per cent. discount for cash” ; “This settles your account up to date.”
Bankers’ packets, when sent from one bank to another, may contain cheques, cheque-books, drafts, or orders, provided they are forwarded in covers with the ends sufficiently open to admit of postal officials seeing that nothing in the nature of a letter is enclosed.
Bank pass-books—Provided they are enclosed in covers indorsed “pass-book only,” and sufficiently open to admit of postal officials seeing that “Pass-books” only are being transmitted. Pass-books or cards connected with a Society may be transmitted under similar conditions.
Manuscript or forms filled up in writing for printing or publication.
Maps (not wholly printed).
Music (written).
Notices of Meetings.
Obliterated postage stamps.
Pay-sheets.
Plans (not wholly printed).
Prices current.
Promissory-notes, signed or unsigned.
Proxy forms or notices. Such particulars as the date, signature, name of proxy, date of meeting, name of shareholder or member, and number of votes may be inserted, but nothing may appear either in writing or print which does not form part of the document as a legal instrument.
Rate notices.
Receipts (see Accounts).
Returns or periodical statements.
Scrip.
Ships’ manifests.
Specifications.
Spent letters—that is, letters which have clearly served their original purpose, and are at least two months old.
Stock sheets.
Travellers’ cards, circulars, or orders.
Travelling Stock notices.
Way–bills, and other similar articles.
Except where specified, any writing in the nature of a letter or personal communication is not permissible, and, if any such writing appear on the article, the latter may be charged as an insufficiently prepaid letter.
A packet containing a mixture of commercial and printed papers shall be treated as if the whole contents were commercial papers.
The following may be allowed on commercial papers—
(a) To indicate on the outside of the missive the name, commercial style, and address of the sender.
(b) To add in manuscript on printed visiting cards the address of the sender, his title, as well as good wishes, congratulations, thanks, condolences, or other formulas of courtesy expressed in not more than five words or by means of conventional initials (p.f. &c.).
(c) To indicate or to alter in a printed paper in manuscript or by a mechanical process the date of despatch, the signature, and the commercial style and the profession, as well as the address of the sender.
(d) To enclose copy with corrected proofs, and to make in those proofs alterations and additions which relate to correction, accuracy, and printing. In case of want of space, these additions may be made on separate sheets.
(e) To correct also errors in printing in printed documents other than proofs.
(f) To erase certain parts of a printed text in order to render them illegible.
(g) To make prominent by means of marks, and to underline words or passages of the text to which it is desired to draw attention.
(h) To insert or correct in manuscript, or by a mechanical process, figures in prices current, tenders for advertisements, stock and share lists, trade circulars and prospectuses, as well as in travellers’ announcements, the traveller’s name and date and place of his intended visit.
(i) To indicate in manuscript in advices of the departure of ships the dates of those departures.
(k) To indicate in cards of invitation and notices of meetings the name of the person invited, the date, the object, and the place of the gathering.
(l) To add a dedication on books, sheets of music, photographs and engravings, Christmas and New Year cards, as well as to enclose the relative invoice.
(m) In forms of order or subscription for books, newspapers, engravings, pieces of music, to indicate in manuscript the works required or offered, and to erase or underline the whole or part of the printed communications.
(n) To paint fashion plates, maps, &c.
(o) To add in manuscript or by a mechanical process to cuttings from newspapers and periodical publications the title, date, number, and address of the publication from which the article is extracted.
Printed Papers.
1. Printed papers include all printed matter, such as books, magazines, pamphlets, sheets of music, visiting cards, address cards, circulars (wholly printed), proofs of printing, papers impressed with points in relief for the use of the blind, engravings, photographs, and albums containing photographs, pictures, drawings, plans, maps, catalogues, prospectuses, announcements, and notices of various kinds, and similar articles, whether loose or in book form.
2. The following may also be allowed to pass as printed papers, viz.:—Circulars which are in other respects admissible, but which are printed or lithographed in characters resembling those of the typewriter, or are produced by means of any mechanical process from written or type-written originals, and may be transmitted at the “Printed Papers” rate of postage, provided they are handed in at the counter of a Post Office, and at least twenty copies precisely identical are posted at the same time. Each cover must be marked by the sender “20 posted.”
3. All printed matter with written additions, corrections, or alterations must be sent as commercial papers, but writing in the nature of a letter or personal communication is not permissible, and if any such writing appear on the article, the latter may be charged as an insufficiently prepaid letter.
4. Cards bearing the inscription “Post Card” shall not be allowed to pass as printed papers.
Patterns, Samples, and Merchandise.
The following and similar articles may be forwarded under this class, viz. :—
Glass.
Merchandise.
Mineral specimens.
Natural history specimens such as dried or preserved animals or plants, geological specimens, &c., when sent for no commercial purpose.
Liquids, oils, and fatty substances.
Ointments, soft soap, resin.
Dry powders, whether dyes or not.
Paper.
Parchment or vellum.
Patterns.
Live bees and live but harmless entomological specimens.
Samples.
Seeds.
Wedding cake (securely packed).
2. Patterns and samples may contain the name and commercial style of the sender, the address of the person for whom they are intended, the manufacturer’s or trade mark, numbers, prices, and indications relative to weight or measurement and dimensions, or to the quantity to be disposed of, or such as are necessary to determine the origin and the nature of the goods.
Terms and Conditions under which Packets may be Transmitted within the Commonwealth.
1. The maximum weight for a packet of commercial papers or printed papers shall be 5 lbs.; and for patterns, samples, and merchandise, 1 lb. No packet may exceed 2 feet in length, or 1 foot in depth or breadth, or if in a roll 2ft. 6in. in length, or be of inconvenient form.
2. Wholly unpaid or insufficiently prepaid packets posted in the Commonwealth for delivery therein may be forwarded to destination charged with double the deficiency.
3. A packet may be sent through the post either without a cover (when it must not be fastened with anything adhesive), or in a cover entirely open at one end or side, or with the flap left unsealed, or fastened with a binder, or tied with string, so as to permit of easy withdrawal of the contents.
Glass must be securely packed in boxes of wood, metal, leather, or cardboard in such a way as to prevent all danger to the mails or officers of the Department.
Liquids, oils, and fatty substances easily liquefied must be enclosed in glass bottles hermetically sealed. Each bottle must be placed in a wooden box furnished with sawdust, cotton, or spongy material in sufficient quantity to absorb the liquid in case the bottle should be broken. Finally, the box itself must be enclosed in a case of metal, of wood with a screw top, or of strong and thick leather. Where use is made of perforated wooden blocks of sufficient thickness (at least one-tenth of an inch in the weakest part, to prevent all risk of breakage, packed with a sufficient quantity of absorbent material inside and provided with a cover), the blocks need not be enclosed in a second case.
Ointments, soft soap, resin, and fatty substances which are not easily liquefied must be enclosed in an inner cover (box, bag of linen or parchment, &c.), which must itself be enclosed in a second box of wood, metal, or strong and thick leather.
Dry powders, whether dyes or not, must be enclosed in cardboard boxes, which themselves must be enclosed in bags of linen or parchment.
Live bees and live but harmless entomological specimens must be secured in strong, safe, and properly-ventilated boxes or cages of wood or metal; the size of the box or cage not to exceed 12 in. x 6 in. x 4 in.; each box or cage to bear a label securely attached, giving name and address of sender, and particulars of contents. Boxes, &c., posted in violation of these conditions, or containing poisonous or dangerous live specimens, or improperly or insecurely packed shall not be transmitted. Specimens enclosed in cardboard boxes or other fragile material shall not be forwarded.
Officers of the Post Office may examine the contents of packets, in which case they shall securely refasten same; but, if possible, officials must satisfy themselves as to the contents without withdrawing them.
The covers of articles entitled to pass at the rate of postage for printed papers may have printed matter thereon, provided a clear and conspicuous space be left for the address. Matter produced by other mechanical processes may be transmitted as printed papers, provided at least 20 copies in identical terms be handed in at a Post Office.
If the foregoing conditions be not complied with, the packets shall be regarded as insufficiently paid letters, and be charged accordingly; but if, in the event of refusal by the addressees on being opened in the Dead Letter Office, they be found to contain only such enclosures as are entitled to pass at packet rate, and be fully prepaid at such rates, they shall be again forwarded to the addresses without charge. If, on receiving an article surcharged as above, the addressee opens it in the presence of the postmaster, and it is found to contain only matter that is entitled to pass at packet rate, the surcharge shall be remitted.
4. Samples of seeds, drugs, and similar articles, which cannot be sent in open packets, may be enclosed in bags or boxes, fastened in such manner as to be easily undone and refastened; or, in closed transparent bags. Manufactured articles, such as pills, sensitized photographic paper, &c., with the inner wrapper closed against inspection, may be forwarded at packet rate of postage, provided that such wrapper be that of the manufacturer of the articles.
5. Books may have on the title page complimentary and similar remarks, together with the names and addresses of the senders and of the persons for whom the books are intended, and the date of sending; passages to which it is desired to call attention may be marked with a single stroke. Anything in the nature of an epistolary communication will render the article liable to charge as an insufficient prepaid letter.
6. All legitimate binding, mounting, or covering of a book, &c., or of a portion thereof, is permissible, whether such binding, &c., be loose or attached, as also rollers in case of prints or maps, markers (whether of paper or otherwise in the case of books), or whatever is necessary for the safe transmission of such articles or usually appertains thereto.
In any case where an officer of the Department has good grounds for suspecting any infringement of the foregoing Regulations he may open the packet; and if any irregularity has occurred he must treat the packet as an insufficiently prepaid letter, and charge postage accordingly. Should the contents be such as are not allowed to pass through the post, he must retain them and report the circumstance to the Deputy Postmaster-General. Any packet so opened must be securely refastened.
7. Packets containing jewellery or other valuable enclosure must be registered. Bank-notes, coin, bullion, or gold may be sent only at letter rate of postage, and must be registered.
8. In order to secure the return of packets which cannot be delivered, the name and address of the sender must be printed or written on the cover : thus—“From of ”.
Articles not allowed to be sent by Packet Post.
The following articles shall not be sent by packet post, viz. :—Cheques, Money Orders, Postal Notes—except in bankers’ packets—coin, bank-notes, bullion, gold, and perishable substances, such as game, fish, flesh, fruit, vegetables, and any matter or thing likely to injure any person or the contents of the mail-bags; also articles not made up in accordance with the Regulations relating to packets, or bearing or containing anything not allowed under such Regulations.
2. TO THE UNITED KINGDOM AND FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
1. Commercial Papers.
“Commercial Papers” comprise all papers or documents written or drawn wholly or partly by hand (except letters or communications in the nature of letters, or other papers or documents having the character of an actual and personal correspondence), documents of legal procedure, deeds drawn up by public functionaries, copies of or extracts from deeds under private seal written on stamped or unstamped paper, way-bills, bills of lading, invoices, and other documents of a mercantile character, documents of insurance and other public companies, all kinds of manuscript music, the manuscript of books and other literary works forwarded separately, pupils’ exercises with corrections but without any comment on the work, and other papers of a similar description.
Packets of commercial papers may not exceed 5 lbs. in weight, and shall be subject, as regards form and conditions of transmission, to the Regulations prescribed for “Printed Papers.”
2. Printed Papers of every kind.
1. Packets of Printed Papers may not exceed 18 inches in length, width, or depth, or 5 lbs. in weight. They may be placed either in wrappers, upon rollers, between boards, in covers open at both sides or at both ends, or in unclosed envelopes, or simply folded in such a manner as not to conceal the nature of the packet, or tied with a string easy to unfasten, but must be made up in such a manner as to admit of the contents being easily withdrawn for examination. Address cards and all printed matter of the form and substance of an unfolded card may be forwarded without wrapper, envelope, fastening, or fold.
2. The articles which shall be entitled to be sent as printed papers shall be, generally, impressions or copies obtained upon paper, parchment, or cardboard, by means of printing, engraving, lithography, autography, or any other mechanical process easy to recognise, except the copying-press and the typewriter.
3. This description includes the undermentioned articles wholly printed :—Books (stitched or bound), periodical works, pamphlets, sheets of music, visiting cards, address cards, proofs of printing, pictures, drawings, plans, maps, catalogues, prospectuses, announcements, circulars, notices, engravings, photographs.
4. The following articles, though not really printed matter, may also be sent as such, viz.:—Manuscript intended for the press (when sent with the proofs of the same), papers impressed for the use of the blind, albums containing photographs, and cardboard drawing models stamped in relief.
5. Anything, not being of glass, usually attached or appurtenant to any of the before-mentioned articles, in the way of binding, mounting, or otherwise, and anything convenient for their safe transmission by post, may also pass at the rate applicable to such articles, provided it is contained in the same packet.
6. Cards bearing the prescription “Post-card,” postage stamps, whether obliterated or not, and in general all articles constituting the sign of a monetary value shall not be transmitted as printed papers.
7. The products of the copying press and typewriter shall not be transmitted at the rate for printed papers, nor, as a rule, shall printed papers, the text of which has been modified after printing, either by hand or by means of a mechanical process, so as to constitute a conventional language. But the following exceptions may be allowed :—
Printed papers may be dated in manuscript or by a mechanical process, and the signature of the sender, his trade or profession, and his address may be added.
On printed visiting cards the address or title of the sender, or conventional initials, such as “p.p.c.,” may be written, and also good wishes, congratulations, thanks, condolences, or other formulas of courtesy, expressed in not more than five words.
On printed circulars corrections and insertions may be made in manuscript or by a mechanical process in regard to names of commercial travellers, dates, and places of their intended visits, dates of departure of ships, names of persons invited to meetings, and the place, date, and object of the meetings.
Printers’ proofs may be corrected in manuscript; additions which relate to accuracy, form, and printing may be made, and in case of want of space additional sheets may be used; the author’s manuscript may be enclosed; printers’ errors in other printed documents may also be corrected, and figures may also be inserted or corrected in prices current, tenders for advertisements, trade circulars, prospectuses, and stock and share lists.
Books, papers, music, photographs, engravings, and Christmas and New Year’s cards may bear a written dedication, and the invoice relating to them may be enclosed.
In forms of order or subscription for books printed on cards, the works required or offered may be indicated in manuscript.
The title, date, number, and address of the publication from which the article is extracted may be added in manuscript or by a mechanical process to cuttings from newspapers and periodical publications.
8. Circulars which are in other respects admissible, but which are printed or lithographed in characters resembling those of the typewriter, or are produced by means of any mechanical process from written or type-written originals, may be transmitted at the “Printed Papers” rate of postage, provided they are handed in at the counter of a Post Office, and at least twenty copies precisely identical are posted at the same time.
3. Patterns and Samples.
1. The pattern and sample post shall be restricted to bonâ fide trade patterns or samples of merchandise. Packets containing goods for sale, or in execution of an order (however small the quantity), or any articles which are not actually patterns or samples, may not be forwarded by pattern and sample post.
2. The maximum dimensions and weight for a packet of patterns and samples shall be as follow :—
(a) To the United Kingdom—2 feet in length by 1 foot in width or depth, 5 lb. in weight.
(b) To all other places—1 foot in length, 8 inches in width, 4 inches in depth; or when in the form of a roll, 1 foot in length and 6 inches in diameter, 12 oz. in weight.
3. Patterns and samples must be placed in bags, boxes, or removable envelopes, in such a manner as to admit of easy inspection. They may not bear any writing except the name or the commercial style of the sender, the address of the person for whom they are intended, a manufacturer’s or trade mark, numbers, prices, and indications relative to weight or measurement, and dimensions, or to the quantity to be disposed of, or such as are necessary to determine the origin and the nature of the goods.
4. Such articles as glass, scissors, knives, razors, forks, steel pens, nails, keys, watch, machinery metal tubing, pieces of metal or ore, must be packed and guarded in so secure a manner as to afford complete protection to the contents of the mails and to the officers of the Post Office. Explosives shall not be transmitted.
5. Liquids, oils, and fatty substances easily liquefied, must be enclosed in glass bottles, hermetically sealed. Each bottle must be placed in a wooden box furnished with sawdust, cotton, or spongy material in sufficient quantity to absorb the liquid in case the bottle be broken, and the box must be enclosed in a case of metal, of wood with a screw top, or of strong and thick leather. If perforated wooden blocks of a reasonable thickness, with a sufficient quantity of absorbent material inside, and provided with a cover, be used, the blocks need not be enclosed in a second case.
6. Fatty substances which are not easily liquefied, such as ointments, soft soap, resin, &c., must be enclosed in an inner cover (box, bag of linen or parchment, &c.), which must itself be placed in a second box of wood, metal, or strong and thick leather.
7. Dry powders, whether dyes or not, must be placed in cardboard boxes, which should be enclosed in a bag of linen or parchment.
8. Articles of natural history, dried or preserved animals or plants, geological specimens, &c., when sent for no commercial purpose, may be transmitted by pattern and sample post, provided they are packed in accordance with the general regulations concerning samples of merchandise.
9. Live bees, and live but harmless entomological specimens, may be transmitted by sample post.
10. All live specimens must be secured in strong, safe, and properly ventilated boxes or cages of wood or metal. The size of the box or cage must not exceed 12 in. x 6 in. x 4 in. Each box or cage must bear a label, securely attached, giving the name and address of sender and particulars of contents.
11. Boxes, &c., posted in violation of these conditions, or containing poisonous or dangerous live specimens, or improperly or insecurely packed, shall not be transmitted. Specimens enclosed in cardboard boxes or other fragile material shall not be forwarded.
General.
1. Unpaid packets of printed papers, commercial papers, or patterns and samples, or those not made up in accordance with the preceding Regulations, shall not be transmitted.
2. Insufficiently prepaid packets shall be charged double the deficiency on delivery.
3. In order to secure the return of packets which cannot be delivered, the names and addresses of senders must be printed or written on the cover thus—
From of
Articles Grouped Together.
Printed papers, commercial papers, patterns and samples of merchandise may be forwarded in the same packet under the following conditions :—
1. That each article taken singly shall not exceed the limits applicable to it as regards size and weight.
2. That the total weight of any packet shall not exceed 5 lb.
Packets Liable to Customs Duties.
1. Any packet received from places beyond the Commonwealth which contains or is suspected to contain any article or articles on which Customs duty should be paid may be opened for examination, and the duty as assessed by the Customs officers must be paid before such packet can be delivered to the addressee.
2. Any packet containing articles forwarded in violation of any Act or regulation of the Customs shall be forwarded to the Collector of Customs, to be dealt with in the usual manner.
NEWSPAPERS.
Registration of Newspapers.
(1) The proprietor, printer, or publisher of any newspaper, as defined by section 28 of the Post and Telegraph Act 1901, may register it at the General Post Office of any State subject to the following conditions :—
(a) The application for registration must be made in writing.
(b) It must contain a description of the newspaper to be registered, and show at what intervals the same is or is intended to be published.
(c) It must be accompanied by a copy of the newspaper to be registered, and a fee of 5s.
2. The publishers of registered newspapers shall print on the first page of each copy issued the words “Registered at the General Post Office, , for transmission by post as a newspaper.”
(3) Any proposed change in the form of a newspaper must be submitted for the consideration of the Deputy Postmaster-General.
General.
1. A newspaper may be sent either with or without a cover but must be open at both ends, and there shall not be in or upon any such newspaper or the cover thereof any communication, character, figure, letter, or number (other than the words “newspaper only”; or a line drawn through any report, article, or paragraph therein; the printed title of such newspaper, the printed names, occupations, and places of business of the printer, publisher, and vendor thereof, the name, occupation, and address of the person to whom it is sent, and the name of the person who sends the same), nor shall anything other than a supplement be enclosed in, or with, or accompany such newspaper or cover, otherwise such newspaper shall not be transmitted or delivered.
2. Provided always that any newspaper bearing on the cover or outside of the fold, any printed matter, not permitted for newspapers, may be transmitted at the rate charged for “printed papers.”
3. If a newspaper addressed to any place within the Commonwealth be found to contain writing or any illegal enclosure, it may be forwarded to its destination charged according to its weight, with the full amount of postage at the rate to which the enclosure would properly be subjected; but if the newspaper be addressed to any place beyond the Commonwealth, it shall be sent to the Dead Letter Office. This regulation shall apply to any newspaper whether posted in the Commonwealth or received from places beyond.
4. Newspapers except those forwarded in bulk, addressed to several persons, to be delivered separately at each address, must not be tied up in bundles, and each newspaper must bear the proper postage.
5. Two or more newspapers to the same address can be tied together, but the outside newspaper or wrapper must bear on its face or addressed side the full postage for each paper, and the parcel should be tied so that the number of papers can be counted.
6. Newspapers (not being those forwarded in bulk) made up in packets bearing the same address can be transmitted at printed-paper rate of postage, but the weight of any such packet must not exceed 5 lbs.
7. Collected numbers of a newspaper shall not be transmitted through the post as a single newspaper, but postage must be paid on each copy contained therein.
If newspapers be posted wholly unpaid they shall not be forwarded; if insufficiently prepaid they shall be sent to destination charged with double the deficiency.
REGISTRATION.
1. Any letter, letter-card, post-card, packet, or newspaper, complying with the Regulations relating thereto, and bearing the registration fee of 3d. in addition to the correct amount of postage, shall be accepted for registration.
2. If it is believed that an unregistered letter or packet, addressed to the United Kingdom or to any other country beyond the Commonwealth, contains an article of value such letter or packet shall be forwarded to the Dead Letter Office.
3. All registered articles addressed to places beyond the Commonwealth must be forwarded to destination without charge, and registered articles received from such places must be delivered without charge for postage.
Acknowledgment of Delivery of Registered Articles.
1. The sender of a registered article may obtain an acknowledgment of its due delivery to the addressee or other person to whom it is delivered by paying in advance, at the time of registration, a fee of 2½d. in addition to the postage and registration fee.
2. The sender must enter, in the form provided for the purpose, both his own name and address, and the name and address of the person to whom the article is sent, and he must also affix to the form in payment of the fee, a postage stamp of the value of 2½d. which the Postmaster or other officer should
cancel in the ordinary way. Should an application for this form be made at an office at which there are no forms on hand the fee of 2½d. should be paid by postage stamps, and a memorandum furnished, giving the name and address of both the sender of the article and the addressee; the proper form will then subsequently be made out by an Officer of the Department and forwarded with the article to its destination. The same procedure should be observed when the sender applies for an acknowledgment of delivery of a registered article after the article has been transmitted.
Compensation for Loss Of Registered Articles
1. Compensation may be granted for the loss of registered letters, packets, books, and newspapers, (but not for parcels), under the following regulations :—
In the event of the loss of any such article, registered by the sender, posted in the Commonwealth for transmission therein, or to countries with which reciprocal arrangements in this respect are in force, or posted in any one of those countries for transmission to the Commonwealth; except in cases beyond control (e.g., tempest, shipwreck, earthquake, war, &c.), compensation up to, but not exceeding in any case, £2 may be allowed by the State or country in whose service the loss has occurred.
2. In every case it must appear that the loss did not arise wholly, or in part, through the fault of the sender, and that it actually occurred whilst the article was in the post.
3. Evidence of the loss of a registered article shall be given by a statutory declaration made by, or on behalf of, the claimant, setting forth—
(a) The date when and the place where such article was posted, so far as the same can be reasonably ascertained;
(b) A description of the article and its value, so far as is known to the claimant, and the fact of the loss;
(c) Any other particulars required by these Regulations, or tending to establish the loss and verify the claim made;
but further or additional reasonable evidence may be required in proof of such alleged loss or value.
4. In lieu of granting compensation, the missing article may be replaced by the Postmaster-General, who, in either case, reserves the right to return, or dispose, as he thinks fit, of the article should it subsequently come into his hands.
5. No compensation will be given in respect of—
(I.) Any article which may not be lawfully sent by post.
(II.) Money, unless it be sent by letter-post, and then only on the following conditions being complied with—
(a) That any coins enclosed in the letter be packed in such a way as to move about as little as possible.
(b) That the number, amount, bank of issue, and (where necessary) the date of any bank note enclosed be supplied when required.
(c) That the amount and number of any postal note enclosed be supplied when required.
(d) That particulars sufficient to identify the document be supplied in the case of any bill of exchange, bond, coupon, or other order or authority for the payment of money, or security for money.
(III.) Injury or damage alleged to have been sustained in consequence of the loss, damage, or delay of an article.
6. No legal liability to give compensation in respect to the loss of any registered article shall attach to the Postmaster-General, either personally or in his official capacity, and the decision of the Postmaster-General, as to whether compensation shall or shall not be granted, shall in all cases be final.
GENERAL POSTAL REGULATIONS.
Inquiry respecting Delivery of Postal Articles.
1. If the sender of a postal article desire inquiry made respecting its disposal, he shall enter in a form provided for the purpose both his own name and address and the name and address of the person to whom the article was sent, and he must also affix to the form a postage stamp in payment of the fee of 2½d. which the Postmaster or other Officer must cancel in the ordinary way. Should any delay in delivery be attributable to the Post Office the fee shall be refunded. If a fee has been paid for acknowledgment of delivery no charge for the inquiry shall be made.
2. Any person making a complaint that an unregistered letter or packet containing coin, jewellery, gems, watches, or any other valuable enclosure has not been duly delivered to the person to whom it was addressed may be required by the Postmaster of the Post Office at which the complaint is made to make a declaration in the Form provided and to pay the fee (2½d.) before any inquiry is instituted.
Prepayment of Postage.
1. The postage stamps upon all postal articles must be impressed or affixed upon the face thereof, and near the address written thereon, and no postmaster shall be bound to take any notice of stamps impressed or affixed elsewhere.
2. The impressed stamps of stamped envelopes, letter-cards, post-cards, or newspaper wrappers shall not be used for prepayment of postage on other articles. Duty stamps, mutilated postage stamps, postage due stamps, the impressed stamps on telegram forms, or the postage stamps of any other country are not available in the Commonwealth for prepayment of postage.
Prepayment in Cash, in One Sum, of Postage on Large Quantities of Mail-matter.
1. The postage on large quantities of letters, packets, or newspapers for transmission within the Commonwealth, or to New Zealand or Fiji, may be prepaid in cash. The amount of postage on such mail-matter, posted at one time, shall not be less than £1. The posting may be done at a General Post Office or at any office duly appointed for the acceptance of correspondence under this Regulation. No postmaster, other than those at the offices referred to will be permitted to receive cash in prepayment of postage under this regulation without first obtaining authority from the Deputy Postmaster-General. The mail-matter must be handed in at the post office between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. ; the full amount of postage payable thereon must be affixed in postage stamps to a docket to be obtained from the postmaster, and the person posting must cancel the stamps by writing his or her name or initials across the face thereof in the presence of the postal officer to whom the mail-matter is handed ; the latter must then date-stamp the docket and forward it to the Accountant, General Post Office. Articles of the same weight must be tied in bundles of ten or any multiple thereof up to one hundred, with the addresses in the same direction.
Redirection.
1. Registered letters or packets, on being redirected, must not be dropped into a letter-box, but must be taken to a post office to be dealt with as registered. No additional postage or registration fee shall be charged upon them if they are presented for re-registration not later than the day (Sunday and public holidays not being counted) after being left at the original address; but if they are presented after that time they shall be treated as freshly posted, and fresh postage and registration fees shall be payable in respect of them.
2. If any registered letter or packet when redirected, instead of being given back to the post office to be dealt with as registered, is dropped into a letter box as an ordinary letter or packet (the word “registered” not having been erased, or having been erased in pencil only), it becomes liable to surcharge on delivery.
3. Applications for redirection must in all cases be signed by the person to whom the correspondence is addressed, and must state whence it is expected. They will be acted on for a term of six months only, unless renewed. A printed form of application may be obtained at any post office in the Commonwealth.
4. Correspondence addressed to a post office to initials or noms-de-plume shall not be redirected, but must be obtained at the offices of address.
5. The Postmaster-General may refuse to intercept articles at any office other than that to which addressed or to intercept those addressed to the care of private box-holders.
Undelivered Mail-matter.
1. Letters and packets with indorsement on the cover, “If not delivered within (seven or more) days, return to —————” (here the name and address of the person to whom the letter or packet is to be returned should be stated), will, if undelivered at the expiration of the time specified, be returned by the Postmaster at the office of address to the sender.
2. Letters or packets not indorsed for return to the senders within a specified time, as provided by Section 46 of the Post and Telegraph Act 1901, if posted in any State of the Commonwealth for delivery in the same State, must be kept at the post office of address for one month waiting delivery. If received from another State of the Commonwealth, they must be kept at the post office of address for two months. If received from a place beyond the Commonwealth, they must be kept at the post office of address for four months. At the expiration of the respective periods the letters or packets must be returned through the Returned Letter Office to the writers if posted in the State to which addressed, and if not, to the State or country of origin.
3. Newspapers must be kept at the office of address for one month waiting delivery, and at the expiration of that period must be forwarded to the General Post Office for disposal according to law; but if the covers or wrappers bear in print the name of the publisher or vendor the newspapers must be returned, if so required, to such publisher or vendor, on payment of postage at the prescribed rate.
4. Unpaid letters or post-cards, and all insufficiently paid articles, which are returned to the county of origin as redirected or as undeliverable, shall be subject to the same rates of postage as similar articles addressed directly from the country of the first destination to the country of origin.
5. Correspondence for persons whose residence cannot be found shall be left at the post office.
Private Boxes.
1. Locked Private Boxes may be rented at the General Post Office, and where provided at other post offices, on payment, in advance, of a fee of £1, £2, or £3 per annum, according to the size of box required.
2. Payments must be arranged so that renewal fees fall due on the 1st January in each year; new subscribers to pay the proportion of fee at the annual rate from the first day of the quarter in which they commence to the end of December following.
3. Two keys shall be supplied with each box, but a fee of 1s. shall be charged for the use of each additional key supplied, and keys must not be obtained elsewhere than from, the Department. On a box-holder relinquishing the use of a box he shall be required to, at once, return all keys supplied to him, as they are the property of the Postmaster-General, otherwise he shall be charged the rental fee for the box until they are returned.
4. If a key be lost, information must at once be given to the officer in charge of the local post office and the remaining key or keys returned to such officer, when a new lock for which a charge of 5s. shall be made will be fitted in the box, and two keys supplied.
5. The Postmaster-General may refuse to let a private box to any person or persons, or to cancel the tenancy of a private box at any time, if he considers such box is intended to be, or is being used for objectionable purposes.
6. Private boxes shall be let only on the foregoing conditions and upon any breach thereof the Postmaster-General may at once withdraw permission for the use of a box.
Private Posting Boxes.
1. Arrangements may be made for. the clearance, when practicable, of unregistered letters, letter-cards, and post-cards, from private posting boxes of approved pattern at business premises, &c.
2. Officers of the Postmaster-General’s Department shall have access to the box for the purpose of clearing it, and they alone shall possess the keys for opening it.
3. The clearances of the box shall be made at such times as the Deputy Postmaster-General may arrange.
4. The boxes must be on the ground floor of the premises in which they are located, and the charges for clearance, which are payable in advance, shall be as follow, viz. :—
Twice a day .............
(Sunday and holidays excepted) ......
£4 per annum.
Thrice a day .............
” ................
£5 ”
Four or more times a day
” ................
£6 ”
5. A notice shall be affixed to these boxes as follows :—
“Any article put into this box will not, for the purpose of any enactment, law, or contract, whereby the due posting is evidence of the receipt thereof by the addressee, be deemed to have been duly posted.”
6. Application with regard to the clearance of a box must be made to the Deputy Postmaster-General.
Private Mail Bags.
A private mail bag may be made up for any person, or for a number of persons, residing on a mail route, but beyond a mile from a post office, subject to the following regulations :—
1. The charge for making up a private bag shall be £2 per annum, payable in advance.
2. Payments must be arranged so that renewal fees fall due on the 1st January in each year; new subscribers to pay the proportion of fee at the annual rate from the first day of the quarter in which they commence to the end of December following.
3. The bag, which must be of leather or strong canvas, must be provided at the cost of the person requiring it. and be large enough to contain all articles sent and received by post ; if furnished with a lock, two keys must be provided—one for the postmaster and the other for the owner.
4. The postmaster must lock or seal the bag for despatch, and it must be returned in like manner ; if a seal is used, the impression must be made known to the postmaster.
5. The bag may contain postal articles for all persons in the employ of the proprietor, or who, with the written consent of the proprietor of the bag, give written authority to the postmaster to enclose them in such bag. The person who pays for the bag shall be responsible for the unpaid postage on all postal articles contained in the bag. He must furnish receipts for such of its contents as may have been registered, and forward to the post office acknowledgments of delivery, duly signed by the addressees.
The proprietor of the bag must return all correspondence for persons who have left his station or place, and also any letters, &c., enclosed in error.
Every bag must have printed upon it, or upon a leather or metal label, securely attached to the bag, the name of the owner, or the place where it is to be delivered, as well as the name of the post office with which it is exchanged.
When a bag is made up for a number of persons the name of one of the number, to whom the bag may be addressed, must be specified.
Telegrams enclosed in a private bag may be transmitted free of postage ; but other correspondence so enclosed and intended for delivery at the township where the bag is opened or for onward despatch, must bear the correct amount of postage payable thereon.
6. In case of non-payment of postage or detention of receipts or acknowledgments for registered articles, the postmaster may decline to forward any more articles of those classes.
7. A contractor is bound to convey and deliver, free of charge, all private bags given him by the postmaster or under his instruction, but he is not required to deviate from the usual mail route or road, unless instructed by the Deputy Postmaster-General, and must on no account be delayed. Should the return bag not be ready at the appointed time and place, the contractor must not wait for it.
Impressing Stamps on Envelopes, Wrappers, Etc., for the Public.
Postage stamps of the value of one half-penny, one penny, and twopence may be impressed on envelopes, envelopes combined with sheets of note-paper, or newspaper wrappers supplied by the public for that purpose, provided that not fewer than 500 envelopes or wrappers of any one size be supplied at the one time and that the paper for wrappers be in sheets and not cut in slips. Coloured envelopes, or wrappers, or those too thin to bear the impression of the die shall not be accepted. Envelopes or wrappers provided by the Postmaster-General’s Department, with the proper stamp thereon, may be substituted for any which may be spoiled in the operation of stamping.
The charges, which must be paid in advance, shall be :—
The value of the stamps, and 2s. per thousand, or portion of a thousand, for the work of stamping.
Sale of Lightly Post-marked Postage Stamps.
Postage stamps issued in the several States of the Commonwealth, lightly post-marked may be purchased at their full face value.
Repurchase of Postage Stamps and Post Cards.
Postage stamps in strips of at least two in good order and condition, may be repurchased from the public, at the General Post Office of the State of issue only, at their face value, less a discount of 2s. in the pound, or according to the following scale, viz.:—For stamps not exceeding in value 1s. 8d.,
twopence ; exceeding in value 1s. 8d., but not exceeding 3s. 4d., fourpence ; exceeding in value 3s. 4d. but not exceeding 5s., sixpence ; and so on at the rate of twopence for every 1s. 8d. or portion of 1s. 8d. Provided that no single stamp exceeds 5s. in value. Applications for the repurchase of stamps of denominations above 5s. must be made to the Deputy Postmaster-General. Stamps shall be purchased only when not perforated, soiled, or otherwise damaged.
Envelopes, &c., having unobliterated embossed postage stamps, and spoiled letter cards, and post cards bearing undefaced stamps may also be repurchased at the General Post Office, subject to a discount at the above-mentioned rates.
Licences to Sell Postage Stamps.
1. Any person desiring a licence to sell postage stamps must make written application to the Deputy Postmaster-General, stating where his or her premises are situated, and the nature of the business carried on by the applicant.
2. A licence shall be granted without charge, may be revoked at pleasure, and authorizes the sale of postage stamps at the premises named in the licence only.
3. A notice must be exhibited in some conspicuous place in front of the premises licensed, with the words “Licensed to Sell Postage Stamps” painted in letters at least 1 inch in height and of proportionate breadth.
4. Licensed vendors must purchase for cash, and may be allowed a commission of 2½ per cent. on purchases of not less than £3 at any one time, but they must not use postage stamps for the payment of accounts, nor for remittances.
5. Any licensed vendor found dividing with the public the commission allowed by the Department on postage stamps purchased by him, or offering consideration with the view of inducing any person to purchase postage stamps at his place of business, shall be liable to have his licence cancelled.
6. Any person selling or exposing for sale, without licence, any postage stamp, or exhibiting without authority any sign indicating that he is licensed to sell postage stamps, is liable to a penalty not exceeding £5.
Daily Mail Notice.
One copy of the Mail Notice published each day may be supplied to private box-holders and to persons calling for same at the General Post Office on payment in advance of 5s. per annum, or delivered by postmen, on their first round, on payment in advance of 10s. per annum. Payment, in either case, must date from 1st January in each year.
Miscellaneous.
1. No information can be given respecting letters which pass through a post office except to the persons to whom they are addressed; and in no other way is official information of a private character allowed to be made public. A postmaster may, however, give an address if he has no reason to believe that the person whose address it is would disapprove of his doing so.
2. When any information regarding postal matters particulars of which do not appear in the Postal Guide, is required, application should be made in writing to the Deputy Postmaster-General, to whom letters of complaint should also be addressed.
3. Unless a request to such effect be written or printed thereon, when it may be returned at the expiration of the time (not less than seven days) specified thereon, postmasters are not allowed to return any letter, packet, or newspaper to the writer or sender thereof, or to any one else, or to delay forwarding it to its destination according to the address without either the consent in writing of the person to whom the same is addressed, or the direction in writing of the Postmaster-General.
4. Postmasters are not compelled to give change; and when money is paid at a post office, whether as change or otherwise, no question as to its right amount, goodness, or weight can be entertained after it has been removed from the counter.
5. Postmasters are not compelled to weigh any letters, packets, or newspapers for the public if their duties are impeded by so doing. This rule does not apply to parcels which are tested both as to weight and size before being accepted.
6. If a letter be forwarded under cover to any postmaster with a request that he will repost it at his office, the letter, on being reposted, must be indorsed with the words “Posted at ———, under cover to the Postmaster of———.”
7. Any person who, on receiving a surcharged letter, has reason to think it has been wrongly taxed, should take it, before it has been opened, to the post office to be weighed, and, if it then appear that it does not turn the scale, should have its exact weight certified in writing. Unless this course is followed, no question as to the correctness of the surcharge can afterwards be entertained.
8. No postal officer is permitted to take money in prepayment of postage (except as specified in these regulations), when postage stamps are available, or to affix postage stamps to articles posted at any post office.
9. Postal articles addressed to a deceased person may be delivered to the executors or administrators of such deceased person on production of the probate or letters of administration; but until such production the Postmaster-General, or a Deputy Postmaster-General, may cause such postal articles to be delivered to some near relative of the deceased person.
10. Correspondence posted on the high seas in the letter-box on board a packet, or placed in the hands of the commander of a ship, may be prepaid by means of the postage stamps, and according to the postage rates of the country to which the vessel belongs, or by which it is maintained. If, however, the posting takes place during the stay at one of the two extreme points of the voyage, or at any intermediate port of call, prepayment can only be effected by means of the postage stamps, and according to the rates, of the country in the waters of which the vessel happens to be.
11. Mail contractors are required to receive (beyond a mile from a post office) correspondence intended for delivery along their line of route. If fully prepaid and for delivery before a post office is reached, the mailman must cancel the stamps, by crossing them with ink, or in some other effective manner. If the correspondence be unpaid or insufficiently prepaid it must not be delivered, but posted at the next post office on the line of route, whence it must be despatched to destination charged with double the deficiency, to be collected on delivery. All correspondence so received must bear an indorsement by the mailman indicating the particular point on the road at which it was received.
12. Mail contractors are prohibited from carrying, or permitting their servants or passengers to carry, any letter or packet to the prejudice of the Post Office revenue.
13. The addressees of books, &c., weighing over 1 lb. must take delivery thereof at the post office, as the Department cannot undertake to deliver by letter-carrier bulky articles that may impede the general distribution of correspondence.
14. Upon collection of the postal charges due on taxed mail matter, and before delivery thereof, officials must affix to each such article “postage due” stamps equal in value to the sum received, and cancel such stamps, either with the office stamp or in some other effective manner.
15. Undelivered correspondence addressed to the care of consuls and returned by them to the local post office must be treated in the manner prescribed for returned correspondence and sent to the Dead Letter Office. Any postage charges must be refunded to the consuls.
Collection of Letters by Postmen.
Postmen must receive all properly stamped letters that may be handed to them when engaged in their deliveries for the purpose of being posted at the post office to which they are attached, or to be deposited in the nearest or most suitable pillar-box, or other receptacle provided for the reception of letters; provided that postmen shall not in any case be required to accept such letters within a radius of a quarter of a mile from the nearest posting place, or to wait for them.
Letters received as above must be dealt with so as to insure the most speedy transmission to the post office for which they are intended.
POST OFFICE EXPRESS DELIVERY SERVICE.
Letters and packets not exceeding 8 ounces in weight may be specially delivered as follows, namely :—
(1) By special messenger all the way.—To secure this service letters and packets must be handed in at an “Express Delivery” post office.
(2) By special messenger after transmission by post.—For this service a letter or packet may be posted at any post or receiving office, or in any letter-box or posting receptacle, and be “expressed” on reaching the delivery office, provided such office is an express delivery office.
(3) By special delivery in advance of the ordinary delivery by postman.—By this means any person may make an arrangement with the postmaster of any express delivery office to secure the immediate delivery of his own correspondence on its arrival.
(4) Special delivery by travelling mail officers at all railway stations where the mail trains are timed to stop without passing through the local post office or waiting local delivery.
Local Service by Special Messenger all the Way.
1. Letters and packets not exceeding 8 ounces in weight may be accepted at the General Post Office of each State. They may also be accepted at such offices as are designated “Express Delivery Offices,” and determined by the Deputy Postmaster-General from time to time.
2. For a letter or packet not exceeding 8 ounces in weight the charge shall be, for the first mile or part of a mile, in addition to the proper postage, 4d. (provided that the minimum rate, including postage, shall not be less than 5d.) for every additional half-mile or part of half-a-mile, up to 2 miles, 2d.
3. Express messages may be delivered by foot-messengers, by omnibus, or by bicycle, at the discretion of the Department. If the sender desires a cab or other special conveyance to be used, the actual fare must be paid in addition to the express fee and postage.
4. At suburban and country post offices the express delivery shall be limited to one mile from the post office.
5. All charges, including both postage and fee, must be fully prepaid by postage stamps affixed to the letter or packet.
6. Any letter or packet intended for express delivery must not be posted in a letter-box but handed in during the hours when the office is open for ordinary business. After the office has closed it may be posted in the letter-box in the ordinary manner, but will not be delivered until the following morning.
7. The words “Express Delivery” must be boldly and legibly written by the sender above, the address in the left-hand corner of the cover. When posted in a letter-box there must be in addition a broad perpendicular line drawn from top to bottom both on the front and the back of the cover.
8. There shall be no express delivery on Sunday or on holidays.
9. All articles handed in or ported for express delivery must be immediately marked with the date and time of posting. Where a date stamp showing hours and quarter-hours in plain figures is in use, it will be sufficient to date-stamp such articles with the stamp, showing the hour and, quarter-hour of posting. At offices where a stamp of this description is not used the article must, in addition to dating with the stamp in ordinary use, be marked with the exact time of posting, thus, “9/5 a,” indicating five minutes after nine a.m. In the same manner, fifty-five minutes after twelve noon must be indicated by “12/55 p.”
10. When a reply is required to an express delivery letter or packet, the words “Wait Reply” must be legibly written by the sender immediately under the words “Express Delivery,” and the postage and fee required for the reply must be affixed by postage stamps immediately under the above indorsement on the article to which a reply is desired. The messenger may be allowed to wait ten minutes for the reply.
11. When the letter or packet sent in reply, or as a further service, is to be taken to an address on the messenger’s homeward route, the express delivery fee shall be 3d. in addition to the ordinary postage, otherwise the full fee as for the original service must be prepaid.
12. Articles in reply or further service can only be accepted after the messenger has delivered all the express delivery articles originally intrusted to him.
13. A telegraph messenger on delivering a telegram may, if desired, take back to the post office at which he is employed a letter or packet for express delivery. The postage and fee must be prepaid by the sender by means of stamps affixed to the article. The express fee shall be charged as from the residence of the sender, and not from the office where the messenger is employed.
Express Delivery after Transmission by Post.
1. Letters and packets intended for express delivery from the post office of destination only may be posted like ordinary articles, but they must be clearly marked “Express Delivery,” and have a thick perpendicular line drawn on each side of the envelope. The fee of 4d. in addition to the ordinary postage must be prepaid by affixed postage stamps. Letters and packets marked as directed and fully prepaid shall be delivered by special messenger immediately after receipt of the mail in which they are enclosed.
2. The conditions already specified for express letters and packets for the local service shall also apply to those intended for express delivery after transmission by post.
Special Delivery of Letters and Packets in Advance of the Ordinary Deliveries, at the Request of the Addressee.
1. Persons or firms who desire at any time to receive their letters or packets, not exceeding the weight of 8 oz. each, or in the aggregate a total weight not exceeding 4 lbs., in advance of the ordinary delivery, may have them delivered by special messenger on payment of the following fees, viz.:—
2. The full express fee of 4d. a mile or fraction of a mile for one article, and ½d. each for every additional article beyond the first.
3. Written application for such special delivery must be made by the person to whom, or firm to which, the letters or packets are addressed. The applications must be addressed to the officer in charge of an express delivery office from which the letters are ordinarily delivered. If possible, they should be delivered by hand, but if posted must be prepaid as ordinary letters. Applications must reach the office an hour at least before the time at which the delivery by postman commences.
4. The express fee on at least one article must be prepaid by stamps affixed to the application. All additional fees must be paid to the special messenger on delivery.
5. If no letters or packets for the address given are found, a special messenger shall be sent to inform the applicant to that effect, and the express fee shall be retained to pay for this service.
6. In cases where a special delivery of letters, &c., arriving by any particular mail, or a regular delivery by special messenger is required, either on one or more days of the week, it will be sufficient if application is made accordingly and left with the officer in charge. In such cases the whole of the charges shall be collected upon delivery of the letters and packets.
Express Letters or Packets for Delivery from Travelling Post Offices, without passing through the Local Post Office.
Letters or packets with the ordinary postage fully prepaid, together with the usual late fee, and an express delivery fee of 4d. affixed by postage stamps, may be handed to any travelling mail officer for delivery at any railway platform where the mail train is timed to stop. Such articles must be marked by the sender “Express Delivery” in the manner previously directed, and this indorsement must be covered by the date stamp of the T.P.O. to indicate that no further or local express delivery service is required. The sender must arrange for a special messenger to meet the train on arrival at the platform and apply at the travelling post office for the article. If this be not done the letter or packet must be handed loose to the person carrying the mails to the local post office, and delivery must be obtained in the usual manner.
PARCELS POST.
Limit of Weight and Size.
1. Parcels not exceeding 11 lb. in weight, 3ft. 6in. in length, or 6 ft. in length and girth combined, may be accepted for transmission from and to all parcel post offices in the Commonwealth, served by railway, coach, or steamboat. Parcels from or to parcel post offices within the Commonwealth not served by railway, coach, or steamboat, must not exceed 3 lb. in weight; should a parcel be received exceeding that weight addressed to a place to which it is not transmissible, it must be forwarded to the nearest parcel post office on the mail route, served by railway, coach, or steamboat, and the addressee be duly advised thereof.
2. Parcels exceeding 11 lb. in weight or of greater dimensions than those prescribed shall not be accepted for transmission through the post. Any such parcels which may be irregularly posted must not be forwarded to destination, but, if practicable, returned to the sender.
Postage must be Prepaid.
The postage must be fully prepaid by means of adhesive postage stamps, which the sender or person handing in the parcel must affix either close to the address on the wrapper, or to a label, obtainable at any post office. If the contents of a parcel be of a fragile nature, or postage stamps will not readily adhere to the wrapper, such stamps must be affixed to a tie-on label attached to the parcel.
Postal officials must not affix postage stamps to the labels or covers of parcels.
How to Address and Pack.
1. In addition to the name and address of the person for whom it is intended, every parcel must bear the name and address of the sender on the wrapper, thus : From of
2. The contents of parcels must be securely packed and closed in such a manner as to preserve them from injury and from injuring other parcels. Parcels containing—
(c) liquids or semi-liquids—medicines, oils, paints, jellies, &c.
must be so securely packed as to prevent the contents from escaping, and the covers or vessels in which they are enclosed must be sufficiently strong to prevent breakage in transmission. The word “Fragile” or “Perishable,” as the case may be, and the nature of the covering or vessel, and contents, must be indorsed on the outer wrapper. The edges and points of all sharp instruments must be protected, and articles which are likely to injure other articles must be packed in separate parcels. When considered necessary by the Postmaster-General, hermetically-sealed tins, and wooden packing-boxes, with a sufficient quantity of absorbent matter, must be used.
3. The wrappers of parcels which have become torn or damaged in transit must be made as secure as practicable. If the address of any parcel be rendered illegible, such parcel must, if possible, be returned to the sender.
Directions as to Posting.
1. A parcel intended for transmission by parcel post must not be posted in a posting box or pillar, but must be handed in at a parcel post office, and the officer to whom it is handed must check the weight, size, and postage, before accepting it; if it be not fully prepaid, or exceed the limits of weight or size, it must not be accepted.
2. Should an article which is transmissible through the post only as a parcel be posted in a posting box or pillar, instead of being handed in at a parcel post office in the prescribed manner, it must be regarded as irregularly posted, and, if not exceeding 1 lb. in weight, must be forwarded as a letter or packet under the rule relating thereto; but when in excess of that weight, if posted at and addressed to a Parcel Post Office, and bearing full parcel postage, it must be forwarded on as a parcel; otherwise it must be returned to the sender on payment of an additional fee of 6d. for each parcel, if for delivery within the Commonwealth; but if addressed to any other colony or country it must be detained to permit of the sender being communicated with, if practicable; if not properly packed it must, if possible, be returned from the parcel post office of receipt to the sender. The procedure adopted with regard to parcels so posted, which are insufficiently prepaid, shall be as follows :—
(a) If for delivery within the Commonwealth, the parcel shall be forwarded to destination; but double the deficient postage shall be charged on delivery;
(b) If addressed to any place beyond the Commonwealth, the sender must, if possible, be at once communicated with, and the parcel detained until the requisite amount of postage due on the parcel and on the notice sent has been obtained. If the name and address of the sender cannot be ascertained, the addressee shall be notified of its detention and of the reason therefor, and informed that on receipt of the amount of the deficiency and the postage on the notice sent to him the parcel will be duly forwarded to destination.
3. Should an irregularly-posted parcel not bear an address sufficient to permit of its despatch to destination, the sender must, if possible, be written to and informed that on furnishing the requisite address and on payment of the amount of postage on the notice sent to him, together with any deficient postage on the parcel, it will be forwarded to destination.
Customs Declaration to be made by Sender in Certain Cases.
1. The sender of a parcel addressed to any place beyond the State of origin must sign a declaration (on a form provided for the purpose and obtainable free of charge at any parcel post office) furnishing an accurate statement of the contents of the parcel and the value thereof, the address and the sender’s signature and address, which declaration must be affixed to the parcel to which it relates. The net weight or quantity of the various articles contained in a parcel must, if possible, be stated, and any other particulars which would facilitate the assessment of Customs Duty—such as, in the case of clothing, the material, and whether it is new or has been worn. If articles which are being returned to the country of origin are enclosed it must be so stated.
2. When parcels are intended for Foreign Countries, the information may be furnished in the language of the country of destination or any other foreign language, at the wish of the sender, but in addition it must also be written in English.
Certificate of Posting and Acknowledgment of Delivery.
1. The registration system is not applicable to other than value-payable parcels, but a certificate of the posting of one parcel, or any number of parcels posted at the one time by the same person or firm, for transmission to places within the Commonwealth may be obtained without charge. In the case of parcels addressed to places beyond the Commonwealth a charge of 3d. shall be made. This charge must be affixed to the form of certificate, in postage stamps, which must be defaced with the office stamp. The form must, in all cases, be filled in by the sender or his representative, and handed in at the parcel post office with the parcel or parcels.
2. If the form be duly handed in accompanied by a fee of 2d per parcel (in addition to the charge for a certificate of posting, where one is payable) a special receipt from the addressee, or other person to whom such parcel if addressed to any place within the Commonwealth is delivered, acknowledging the receipt thereof, must be obtained and forwarded to the sender.
Prohibited Articles.
1. Neither coin, bullion, gold, nor any article constituting the sign of a monetary value (such as cheques, postal notes, money orders, &c.), may he sent by parcel post; if a parcel be found to contain any such article it shall be sent to the Dead Letter Office for disposal.
2. A parcel may not contain a letter, neither may it contain any article intended for delivery at an address other than that borne by the parcel itself. Should a parcel contain any such enclosure it may be surcharged on delivery double the postage which the enclosure would have cost if sent separately. If a parcel bear on the cover thereof any communication in the nature of a letter it may be subjected to a fine of 6d. on delivery. Invoices, business cards, printed matter, price lists, or particulars of contents may, however, be enclosed in parcels addressed to places within the Commonwealth.
3. No parcel bearing or containing any indecent, obscene, profane, or libellous writing, signature, address, mark, design, print, photograph, lithograph, engraving, book, card, or other article, nor anything explosive or liable to sudden combustion, live animals, offensive or filthy matter, nor unless properly packed, any article likely to cause injury to other parcels or to the officers of the Post Office, shall be accepted for transmission. Should any such parcel be detected in transit through the post the objectionable contents shall be confiscated. Should the contents of any parcel become offensive or otherwise objectionable while in the possession of the Post Office they may forthwith be destroyed.
4. Live bees and live but harmless entomological specimens may, if properly packed, be transmitted within the Commonwealth and to and from the United Kingdom.
5. Parcels containing articles, the transmission or importation of which is prohibited by the laws and regulations of the Commonwealth or of the State or country of destination, shall not be sent by post.
Opening of Parcels and Examination of Contents.
Parcels may be opened and examined by Postal Officers, but after so opening the examining Officer must securely refasten them. In the case of parcels from places beyond the State of destination, their contents may be examined by the Customs officers in the parcel post office, and, where duties are payable, the same must be paid before the parcels are delivered. Parcels may, however, be forwarded in bond to places where Customs officers are stationed, to be opened in the presence of such officers, who must collect and account for any duty payable on them. Parcels, the contents of which are not dutiable, must be forwarded at once to the parcel post office nearest to destination.
Delivery of Parcels.
1. Where satisfactory arrangements can be made parcels shall be delivered as addressed. At all other parcel post offices notice shall be given to addressees, and delivery must be taken at the parcel post office. In all cases senders must advise addressees by post of despatch of parcels, so as to insure prompt delivery.
2. A receipt must be given by the addressee or his agent before delivery of a parcel. In the case of roadside delivery, addressees may authorize a mailman to receive and sign for their parcels at the parcel post office nearest to their address; but any such authority must be in writing, with the name of the mailman inserted.
Demurrage.
Parcels addressed to a parcels post office “to be called for” shall, after they have remained in the office twenty-one clear days (excluding Sunday and public holidays) be charged demurrage at the rate of 1d. a day; the maximum charge shall be 1s. 6d. per parcel. No demurrage shall, however, be charged on parcels for places at which there is no house-to-house delivery, or addressed to persons on board ship.
Return of Parcel on Request before Delivery.
If the sender of a parcel posted for delivery within the Commonwealth apply for its return to him prior to its despatch from the office at which it was posted, such parcel shall be handed back without charge, but the postage paid thereon shall not be refunded. If, after its despatch from the office at which posted, but before delivery to the addressee, the sender applies for the return of a parcel, the request must, if possible, be complied with, but before it is handed back to him, the sender must pay half postage at the fully prepaid rate, but not less than 6d. together with the cost of telegram of advice, if one has been required, and any other charges due on such parcel.
Redirection.
On receipt of a properly signed authority from the sender or addressee a parcel shall he redirected, subject to the following conditions :—
(a) If the redirection be from one address to another within the same delivery no change shall be made therefor.
(b) If the redirection be to another delivery or post town within the Commonwealth, the charge therefor shall be half postage at the fully prepaid rate, but not less than 6d., which must be remitted with the request for redirection, otherwise the amount must be charged on the delivery of the parcel. A fresh charge shall be made for each such redirection.
(c) If the redirection be to a country beyond the Commonwealth, the parcel shall be subject to additional postage at the fully prepaid rate.
(d) If, after delivery, a parcel be redirected, it shall be subject to additional postage at the fully prepaid rate. No dutiable parcel shall be redirected to any place within a State until the duty thereon has been paid.
Refused and Undelivered Parcels.
(a) Posted in the Commonwealth for delivery therein.—Parcels refused by the addressees shall, if possible, be at once returned to the senders; and those bearing a request on the face of the cover thereof, for their return to the senders if undelivered after the expiration of seven (7) or more days (but not exceeding one month) shall be so returned. Other parcels, which cannot be delivered, shall be retained at the office of address for one calendar month from the date of receipt, after which they shall be forwarded to the Chief Parcels Office of the State, whence, if possible, they shall be returned to the senders. Half postage at the fully prepaid rate, but not less than 6d., for each parcel so returned must be paid by the sender before the parcel is handed back to him.
Parcels which cannot be delivered to the addressees or returned to the senders shall be retained at the Chief Parcels Office of the State for a period of three months, after which they shall be sold by public auction.
(b) Received from places beyond the Commonwealth.—Parcels which cannot be delivered shall, in the absence of instructions from the senders respecting same, be retained in the State of destination for a period of three months, when, if still undelivered, they shall be returned to the senders through the colonies or countries whence they were received.
In all cases, where possible, the senders of refused or undelivered parcels must be consulted, as early as practicable, as to the disposal thereof.
The contents of undelivered parcels which have been returned to the Chief Parcels Office of the State of origin, and cannot be delivered to the sender, shall be sold or destroyed as may be directed by the Deputy Postmaster-General.
Despatch of Parcels to Destination.
The Department shall use every means to forward parcels to destination as promptly as possible, but it shall not be necessary, in all cases, to forward them by the first mail after posting.
Postmaster-General not responsible for loss of Uninsured Parcels.
Except as specified in the regulations relating to Insurance of Parcels, the Postmaster-General shall not be responsible for damage to, delay, non-transmission, non-delivery, or loss of any parcel.
Payment of Customs Duty by the Sender of a Parcel.
Persons sending parcels to the United Kingdom, Cape Colony, and certain countries and places viâ the United Kingdom, may take upon themselves the payment of the Customs and other charges ordinarily payable by the addressees.
In such cases the sender must pay a fee of 6d., sign an undertaking to pay on demand the amount due, and make a deposit on account of the charges at the rate of 1s. for each 4s. or fraction of 4s. of the declared value of the parcel. A final settlement will take place as soon as the amount of the charges due has been ascertained from the country of destination. Parcels intended to be sent under these arrangements must be handed in at an Official or Railway Parcel Post Office, which is also a Money Order Office.
parcels post.—rates of postage, etc.
The following shall be the rates of postage charged on inland and Inter-State parcels, viz. :—
3. The fee for insurance must be prepaid by means of postage stamps, which the sender must affix to the parcel with the stamps in prepayment of postage.
4. A Certificate of Insurance must always be obtained by the sender of an insured parcel. The necessary particulars must, as far as practicable, be inserted in the form of certificate, by the sender or his representative. No charge shall be made for the issue of such certificate.
5. No parcel may be insured for a sum in excess of the real value of the contents; an invoice, or description of contents, and the value of each article contained in the parcel, must be enclosed therein. Over insurance shall be a bar to compensation.
6. Parcels containing any of the following articles shall be excluded from insurance, viz., liquids, or semi-liquids; perishable articles, such as eggs, butter, fruit, flowers, confectionery, &c. ; fragile articles, such as glassware, &c.
Under no circumstances shall compensation be given for the loss of or damage to a parcel containing any of the above-mentioned articles.
7. Every parcel intended to be insured must be carefully and substantially packed, with due regard to the nature of the contents and the length of the journey, and must be secured in such a manner as to prevent tampering without leaving obvious traces of violation.
8. Parcels containing watches (except those in nickel or other base metal covers), jewellery, or any article of gold or silver, must be enclosed in strong boxes or cases, which must be securely fastened in wrappers of linen, canvas, strong paper, or other substantial material. The labels of such parcels must be so placed that they will not serve to conceal injuries to the cover, and may not be folded over two sides of the cover so as to hide the edge. The address, in such cases, must be written on the cover of the parcel.
9. If a parcel tendered for insurance does not, in the opinion of the officer to whom it is tendered, fulfil the foregoing conditions as to packing and fastening, he shall refuse to insure it; but the onus of properly packing and fastening the parcel lies upon the sender, and the Postmaster-General shall not be liable for loss or damage arising from defects in packing or fastening which may not be observed at the time of posting.
10. Unless parcels containing watches (except those in nickel or other base metal covers), jewellery (including precious stones), or any article of gold or silver, be insured for at least part of their value, they shall not be sent by Parcel Post to or viâ the United Kingdom, or to Ceylon, India, or Germany. Parcels containing articles of high value addressed to New Zealand must be insured. Any such parcels posted uninsured must, if practicable, be returned to the sender on payment of a fee of 6d. per parcel.
A fee of 6d. shall be collected on the delivery of every uninsured parcel received from the United Kingdom, or India, or Germany, and found to contain watches (except those in nickel or other base metal covers), jewellery, or any article of gold or silver.
11. When an insured parcel is re-directed from one country or colony to another, a fresh insurance fee shall become payable for each such transmission; if this fee be not prepaid, it must be collected before delivery of the parcel. Insured parcels can be re-directed only to places in the Commonwealth, or to those countries to which insured parcels may be sent.
12. In the event of the contents of a parcel being damaged, the parcel shall, as far as practicable, be retained in the condition in which it was received from the office of delivery, and be submitted, when required, to the examination of a responsible officer.
13. Compensation for a parcel lost or damaged in the post shall not exceed the amount of the actual loss or damage, hut no compensation shall be paid for a parcel containing any prohibited article, or which has been delivered without external trace of injury, and has been accepted without remark by the addressee, or when loss or damage arises from the act of God or the King’s enemies.
14. No application for compensation shall be entertained unless made within three (3) months from date of posting of an Inland or Inter-State parcel, or within six (6) months from date of posting of a parcel addressed to or viâ the United Kingdom, or to Ceylon, India, or Germany. Such application may be made to the Postal Administration of either the country of origin or of delivery, but the certificate of posting and insurance must be produced when required.
15. No legal liability to give compensation in respect of any parcel for which an insurance fee has been paid shall attach to the Postmaster-General either personally or in his official capacity. The final decision upon all questions of compensation shall rest with the Postal Administration of the country in which the loss or damage has taken place.
16. Any insurance effected contrary to the foregoing provisions shall be invalid.
17. Where not repugnant to the foregoing rules, the General Regulations relating to uninsured parcels shall apply also to insured parcels.
Value-payable Post.
1. Any article that can be sent by parcel post may be transmitted as a value-payable parcel. Letters may also be sent as value-payable parcels if prepaid at the letter rate of postage and handed to the parcel clerk at the counter in the same manner as in the case of parcels.
1a.No person may send any parcel by the value-payable post without certifying that it is sent in execution of a bonâ fide order.
2. Value-payable parcels may be handed in for transmission at any parcel office which is also a money order office, to be sent to any other parcel office which is also a money order office. All such offices are distinguished in the list of parcel offices by the letters “V.P.”
3. The use of the value-payable system shall be restricted to articles posted in the Commonwealth for transmission by parcel post to V.P. offices in the Commonwealth.
4. Value-payable parcels must be presented at the office of posting with the prescribed registration form, in duplicate, filled up and signed by the sender, with a certificate added that the parcel is sent in execution of a bonâ fide order. The duplicate must be signed by the parcel clerk and be returned to the sender. A requisition form for the money order, addressed to the delivering office, must also be handed in with the parcel.
5. In addition to the ordinary postage, commission on the value of the articles transmitted, at the rate of twopence on sums not exceeding ten shillings, and one penny for each additional five shillings or fraction of five shillings, must be prepaid by postage stamps affixed to the articles distinct from the postage and marked “commission.” The registration fee (threepence) and the proper postage must also be prepaid by postage stamps affixed to the parcel.
6. All the necessary forms, including labels for particulars of value, &c. which must be affixed to the parcel, shall be supplied free of charge at any V.P. office. All forms must be filled in by the sender, and officers of the Department must not assist in filling in such forms or alter them.
7. Value-payable articles may be indorsed by the senders with a special request that they be returned to the senders if not claimed within a specified time, not being less than fourteen days, and parcels with such indorsements must be promptly returned free of charge at the expiration of the period fixed by the indorsement.
8. Value-payable articles must be delivered at the V.P. office nearest to the address, to the addressee, or any person authorised in writing by him to receive them. The delivering office must advise the addressee under registered cover that a value-payable parcel will be delivered to him or his order on payment of the specified sum. On no account must value-payable parcels be opened and examined by the addressees before delivery and payment of the sums specified.
9. Immediately upon collection of the amount due on the article, or at the latest on the day following its collection, such amount shall be remitted to the despatching office by means of a money order, less the usual commission on such order.
The addressee of the article shall be described in the money order letter of advice as the sender of the order, or the “remitter,” and the person or firm by whom the parcel was sent shall be described in such letter of advice as the person to whom the order is payable, or the “payee.”
10. Immediately on receipt at the despatching office of money orders in favour of senders of value-payable articles, they must be entered in the value-payable journal, and the senders advised. The money orders must be handed to the persons in whose favour they are advised (that is, the senders of the value-payable articles), and their receipts taken in the value-payable journal opposite the record of the article.
11. If the addressee of a value-payable article shall refuse delivery, or omit to take delivery of it within the period specified by indorsement, at the latest within a month from the date of receipt at the delivering office, it must be returned to the sender free of charge upon a receipt being given for it in the value-payable journal opposite the record of the article. Under no circumstance shall any portion of the postage, commission, or fees be returned to the sender.
12. After three months from the date of receipt at the post-office of a value-payable article, no claim in respect thereof shall be entertained by the Postmaster-General.
Note.—V.P. parcels must be advised to the office to which they are despatched on the special V.P. parcel bill (as supplied to all offices). On receipt they must be checked and entered in V.P. register, and if for despatch to another office they must be readvised on V.P. bill, and the presence of V.P. parcels in the mail must be noted on ordinary parcel bill. All V.P. parcels must have the proper coloured label attached ; this is the only marking necessary.
MONEY ORDERS.
I. If a letter containing a money order should go astray, the money may be obtained by means of a duplicate order. Information as to payment may be given to the remitter or the payee.
2. The remitter of a money order is the person who sends the money, and the payee is the person who is to receive it.
3. Money orders shall be issued and paid as under :—
At the chief money order office of each State Monday to Friday, 9.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m.; Saturday, 9.30 a.m. to noon.
At all other money order offices within the Commonwealth daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ; but offices may be opened and closed at other hours when deemed necessary by the Postmaster-General.
4. The rates of commission chargeable for the issue of money orders shall be :
5. Applications for money orders must be in writing, and must contain the information necessary to insure payment to the proper person. The Christian names at full length must be furnished if possible, not merely the initials. The usual designation of a corporation, company, society, firm, official title, &c., will suffice as remitter or payee. The name of the State or Country, in addition to the town where payment is desired, must be stated, as towns of the same name exist in different parts of the world, such as Bristol, Croydon, Campbelltown, Gladstone, Ipswich, Maitland, Maryborough, Newcastle, Perth, Richmond, Queenstown, Wellington, &c. The address of the remitter must also be furnished in order that he may be communicated with if necessary. Forms of application may be obtained at any money order office.
6. No single order payable in the Commonwealth, New Zealand, Canada, Germany, India, or the United States of America, may be issued for more than £20; to all other places the limit is £10 except that the maximum amount of a money order from New South Wales or Victoria to Italy may be £20. Two or more orders may be obtained when it is desired to remit larger amounts. No order may contain a fraction of a penny.
7. The original order of money orders payable in the Commonwealth, New Zealand, British Bechuanaland, Canada, Cape Colony, Hongkong and agencies in China, Italy, Italian offices on the Red Sea, Japan, Mauritius, Natal, Orange River Colony, Straits Settlement, Transvaal, Tunis, United Kingdom, or United States of America, must be forwarded to the payee. The original order of money orders payable in Corca must also be forwarded to the payee, whose full address (and in the vernacular if possible when he is a native) must be given. In all other cases the remitter must retain the order issued here, as payment is not made upon orders issued in the Commonwealth, but upon orders issued either by the paying country or by an intermediary office, and forwarded by post to the payee in accordance with the address furnished by the remitter. The complete postal address must therefore be given, and the remitter must advise the payee of the name of the former as given to the issuing office, and also of the fact that delay in payment of the money may occur, owing to the transmission of the advice through an intermediary office. When applying for the issue of orders payable in Italy, Italian offices on the Red Sea, or Tunis, the full address of the payee must be given. The name of payee, his father’s name, tribe, or caste, and the village, or town, and district in which the payee resides must be furnished by the remitter of orders issued for payment in India to natives of that country.
8. Remittances may be made by telegraph :—
To and from money order offices in the Commonwealth which are also telegraph or telephone offices, and to New Zealand.
9. The charge for a telegraph money order shall be the cost of the telegram of advice (irrespective of the number of orders issued, provided they be from the same remitter to the same payee, and the numbers be consecutive), in addition to the ordinary commission. The Christian name of the remitter will not be transmitted in the telegram of advice of orders payable in or received from New Zealand.
10. The remitter must also send a telegram to the payee, advising the transmission of the money, which telegram must be produced by the payee when applying for payment.
11. Telegraph money orders may be paid through a bank, and any other order may be crossed for payment through a bank, in which case it shall not be paid unless besides being signed by the payee it be presented by a bank official, and bear an impression of the bank’s stamp.
12. When persons apply for payment they must state their own name (unless personally known to the paying officer), and also the name of the remitter. Necessary receipts must be given.
13. If payment of a money order be refused in consequence of the replies to questions not being in accordance with the information held by the officer, the applicant must communicate with the remitter requesting him to apply to the issuing office for the alteration required.
14. An order once issued shall not be cancelled, and if repayment, alteration of name of payee, correction of error in name of remitter or payee, or transfer of payment to a different office be required, application must be made on a form provided for the purpose, and obtainable at any money order office. Every such application must be accompanied by postage stamps or a postal note equal in value to the amount of commission chargeable in the State on an order for a like sum.
15. The remitters of money orders may apply at the issuing office for an alteration in the name of the payee or remitter, and it may be granted provided the application is in writing and the issuing officer is satisfied that the applicant is the remitter. If a telegraph order, the alteration shall only be sent by post.
16. If it be desired to stop payment of an order payable in any State of the Commonwealth, notice, accompanied by a second commission, must be sent to the office at which the order is payable.
17. If a money order payable in any State of the Commonwealth be lost, a duplicate may be obtained on application to the Chief Money Order Office, and on payment of a Commission equal to that on an original order for a like amount. Printed forms of application may be obtained at any money order office. In the case of orders payable beyond the Commonwealth, application must be made by the payee to the chief office of the country in which the order is payable.
18. The transfer of money orders payable in the Commonwealth to any other money order office in the Commonwealth may be arranged on the following conditions :—
(a) The application must be made by the payee in writing, and must contain the names of the payee and remitter;
(b) The money order must be enclosed, and be correctly receipted by the payee.
(c) If a telegraph order, it shall only be transferred by post and on receipt of remitter’s message to payee with an instruction to transfer or a receipt written thereon properly signed by the payee.
19. Repayment of money orders issued in the Commonwealth may be applied for by the remitters. Application must be made in writing, and must be made to the issuing office if convenient; if not, it may be made direct to the chief money order office of the State. It must be stated on the application if the remitter has the money order; but if it be a telegraph order it must be so stated, and the original receipt given by the officer who issued it must be sent with the application. As repayment cannot be made until payment has been cancelled at the office on which the money order was drawn, sufficient time for this must be allowed by the applicant.
20. No application shall be entertained for compensation for alleged loss or injury owing to the non-payment of a money order at the expected time. After paying an order, by whomsoever presented, the Postmaster-General shall not be liable to any further claim.
21. If payment of an order, whether issued in the Commonwealth or elsewhere, be not obtained before the end of the twelfth calendar month after that in which it was issued (for instance, if issued in January and not paid before the end of the following January), all claim to the money will be lost. Nevertheless, when a good reason can be given for delay in presenting it, an application for payment subject to a certain deduction will be considered.
22. A special form of money order, with or without advice, may be issued in connexion with the “Old-age Pension system” or for any other specific purpose by the authority of the Postmaster-General.
POSTAL NOTES.
1. Postal Notes may be obtained at—
The Chief Money Order Office.—Monday to Friday, 9.30 a.m to 3.30 p.m.; Saturday, 9.30 a.m. to noon.
The Stamps Sales Office, General Post Office in each State.—During office hours when the Money Order Office is closed.
At most post offices in the Commonwealth.—During the hours they are open for the sale of stamps.
2. They shall be payable at all postal note offices, during the hours the latter are open for the transaction of business.
3. The denominations of postal notes issued, and the commission or poundage charged thereon, shall be as follow :—
Denomination.
Commission or Poundage.
Denomination.
Commission or Poundage.
Denomination.
Commission or Poundage.
1s. .......
½d.
3s. 6d. ....
1d.
10s. ......
3d.
1s. 6d. ....
½d.
4s. ......
1d.
10s. 6d. ...
3d.
2s. .......
1d.
4s. 6d. ....
1d.
15s. ......
3d.
2s. 6d. ....
1d.
5s. ......
1½d.
20s. ......
3d.
3s. .......
1d.
7s. 6d. ....
2d.
4. Broken amounts not exceeding 5d. (but not fractions of a penny) may be added by affixing unobliterated and unperforated postage stamps of the State of issue to the face of a note, when the value of the notes and stamps together will be paid.
5. The name of the person to whom it is desired payment shall be made may be inserted in the space provided for that purpose, in which case the note must be receipted by such person, and if it be presented for payment by any other person he must also receipt the note. The name of a money order or postal note office at which it is desired payment shall be made may be inserted, when (except as mentioned below) the postal note shall be payable at that office only.
6. A postal note may be crossed (like a cheque), when it shall be paid only through a bank. A note so crossed may be paid at any money order or postal note office in the Commonwealth, notwithstanding that the name of an office other than that at which it is presented has been inserted. Notes so crossed must, besides being signed by the payee, be presented by a bank official and bear an impression of the bank’s stamp.
7. If the spaces for name of payee and paying office be not filled up, or if the note be made payable to “Bearer,” the value thereof may be paid at any money order or postal note office in the Commonwealth, on the person by whom it is presented duly receipting the same.
8. After a postal note has been paid, by whomsoever presented, the Postmaster-General shall not be liable for any further claim.
9. After the expiration of six months from the last day of the month of issue, a postal note shall be cashed only at the General Post Office of the State of issue and on payment of a commission equal to the amount of the original poundage, for each period of six months, or portion thereof, beyond the first six months from month of issue; the amount of such commission must be affixed in unobliterated and unperforated postage, stamps of the State to the face of the note. A postal note presented for payment after six months from the month of issue, shall not be paid until reference has been made to the chief money order office of the State.
10. If a postal note contain any alteration or erasure, or be cut, defaced, or mutilated, payment may be refused.
TELEGRAPHIC REGULATIONS.
TELEGRAMS WITHIN THE COMMONWEALTH.
Hours of Business.
Telegraph offices shall be open to the public on ordinary days during the hours prescribed from time to time by the Postmaster-General.
Prepaid telegrams may be dropped into the box provided at each telegraph station for that purpose, at any time when the office is closed, and shall be transmitted when business is resumed. Such telegrams, with full fee, must be enclosed in sealed envelopes. If the full amount payable for the transmission of a telegram be not enclosed the latter shall be forwarded to its destination, but the addressee shall be required to pay, before delivery, the amount short-paid, together with the cost of the necessary instructions to the delivering office to collect the amount of deficiency.
Extra rates after ordinary business hours and on Sunday, Christmas Day, and Good Friday.
Double the prescribed rates shall be charged on telegrams (Press telegrams excepted) tendered for transmission on Sunday, Christmas day, and Good Friday; and on other days, between 8 p.m. and 9 a.m., local time, for transmission to offices where business is transacted during those hours.
Miscellaneous.
1. Telegrams tendered for transmission must be written in a legible manner, in plain language, and when practicable on the proper form, and the address must contain all information necessary to avoid delay and insure delivery. The signature of the sender need not be transmitted, or a telegram may have an abbreviated signature known to the receiver, but the correct signature of the sender must appear on the back of each telegram as a guarantee of its authenticity, and as subscribing to the conditions under which it is transmitted. In the text, amounts or numbers must be written in words only; provided that ordinary telegrams on His Majesty’s Service, and cipher telegrams on His Majesty’s Service, sent by officers in and belonging to His Majesty’s Navy may be written in figures only. The sign “&” must always be transmitted as “and.”
2. The charges must be prepaid by means of postage stamps, which may be obtained at any Post or Telegraph or Telephone Office. The public must affix the stamps to the telegram forms, and the officer to whom the telegrams are handed for transmission must cancel the stamps in the presence of the person from whom such telegrams are received.
3. Books of “unstamped” telegraph forms may be obtained, on giving timely notice, at any Telegraph or Telephone Office at a cost of one shilling (1s.) per book of 100 forms.
4. If a stamp affixed to a telegram has been regummed or is soiled the officer receiving such telegram must at once draw the attention of the postmaster or officer in charge to the state of the stamp, who must, if satisfied that the stamp has not been previously used, write his initials under same.
5. The stamps on telegrams must be cancelled with the date stamp of the transmitting office, each stamp bearing a clear and distinct impression of the date and of the name of the office. Under no circumstances must a stamp which has been obliterated be used.
6. Postmasters shall be held personally responsible for carrying out the provisions of this regulation, and shall be liable for all bad or doubtful stamps found on telegrams transmitted from their offices.
7. Telegrams must be numbered consecutively in the order in which they are received from the public.
Counting and Charging.
1. Ordinary rates shall be charged for telegrams in any one of the following languages, viz.:— English, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese, Spanish, and Latin.* Every telegram consisting of words in any admitted language other than English having no connective meaning, and any word in Webster’s English Dictionary containing more than fifteen letters, shall be treated as cipher, and all such words shall be charged as two words. Provided that the extra charge for cipher words shall not in any case exceed 50 per cent. in addition to the ordinary rate which would be payable on account of the said telegram. Isolated letters, or groups of letters, having no connective meaning shall be charged as one word for each letter or group of five letters. Combinations of two or more words shall be charged for as separate words, with the exception of those words which the usage of the language allows to be written together or coupled with hyphens, and which are so written by the sender of the telegram. Names of persons, places, &c., shall be charged for on the same principle.
Image unavailable in extracted text* Japanese language may be used if written with English characters and guaranteed to be without secret meanings.
2. Words which are habitually written as one word or coupled by hyphens shall be counted as one word, and those which are written without any hyphen, as two or three, as the case may be. Thus, O’Neil and O’Connell must be counted as one word; King of the Ring (name of racehorse) four words; Sir Joshua (name of racehorse) two words; City of Adelaide (name of ship) three words.
3. The prefix “St.” must, however, be reckoned as part of a word, thus, St. Kilda, St. James, St. Arnaud, shall be counted as one word each.
Code Addresses.
1. On payment of a fee of 10s. per annum, payable in advance on the 1st January in each year, or 2s. 6d. for one month, the full addresses at which Telegrams received from or sent to Tasmania, bearing code or abbreviated addresses, are to be delivered shall be registered at the General Post Office, and such other offices as may be authorized by the Deputy Postmaster-General. Only dictionary words shall in future be registered, and the use of combination or made up words (such as “Coff-pal”) will not be permitted. Code addresses must be submitted before registration to prevent the use of the same word or words by different people.
2. Code addresses shall not be permitted in connexion with inland or Inter-State telegrams (other than those sent from or to Tasmania).
Multiple Telegrams.
A multiple telegram may be addressed, either to several persons in the same locality or in different localities, but served by the same telegraph office, or to the same person at several addresses in the same locality, and shall be charged for as a single telegram with a further charge of half-rate for each copy after the first; the minimum charge for each copy shall be 6d.
This Regulation shall not apply to “Press” Telegrams.
Collect Telegrams.
Telegrams marked “Collect,” addressed to places within the Commonwealth, may be accepted only when the sender is known to the officer in charge, and signs an undertaking on a printed form provided for the purpose, that in the event of the addressee refusing to pay the charges for the telegram, he or she will be responsible for the payment of the amount, and the cost of the telegram of advice of the non-payment by the addressee. The word “Collect” must appear in the preamble of the telegram, and be charged for.
Replies may be prepaid.
The cost of a reply may be prepaid, and a reply-form shall then be delivered to the addressee, who shall be at liberty to send a telegram of the value prepaid, from any telegraph office within the State. A reply-form need not necessarily be used for a reply, but may be used to prepay or partly prepay any single telegram for transmission to any place within the Commonwealth, within three months from the date of issue.
Telegrams may be forwarded free by Post to nearest Telegraph or Telephone Office for transmission.
Telegrams posted at a post office (which is not also a telegraph or telephone office), or in a posting receptacle, shall be forwarded by first mail to the nearest telegraph or telephone office, and transmitted thence by telegraph or telephone to destination, provided the form on which the telegram is written bears unobliterated postage stamps, or is accompanied by cash, sufficient to defray the cost of such transmission, and that it be enclosed in an envelope (on which postage need not be paid) indorsed “Telegram only,” addressed to the officer in charge at the nearest telegraph or telephone office. If the full amount payable for the transmission of the telegram be not enclosed the latter shall be forwarded to its destination, but the addressee shall be required to pay, before delivery, the amount short-paid, together with the cost of the necessary instructions to the delivering office to collect the amount of deficiency.
Repetition of Telegrams.
In order to provide against mistakes in the transmission and delivery of telegrams, any telegram may be repeated by being retransmitted from the office of delivery to the sender on payment by the latter, at the time of lodgment, of 50 per cent. in addition to the ordinary rate. In such telegrams the word “repeat” must appear in the preamble of the telegrams and be charged for.
Rectification of Telegrams.
1. The receiver of a telegram may have the whole or part of it repeated on payment of the cost of the telegram demanding the repetition and of the reply to the same.
2. The sender may also have the whole or any portion of his message repeated on payment of the cost of the telegram he forwards and of the reply.
3. The demand for repetition must be made within 72 hours after receipt or despatch of the telegram, and should be written in the following manner :—
“Sydney from Brisbane” (these words are not charged for)
“R.P. 4” (representing reply paid four words).
“Twenty-six” (date of telegram to be repeated).
“Brown” (receiver’s name).
“Repeat first, fourth, ninth” (meaning words of the text of the telegram to be repeated), or
“Twenty-sixth ; Brown” (repeat word or words) “after.........”
The reply must be worded as follows :—
“Brisbane to Sydney” (these words are not charged for).
“Brown..................(words repeated)
4. The money paid for the repetition shall be refunded should such repetition show that the error was made in the original telegram, but shall be retained should no error have been made; provided, however, that when some words have been correctly, and some incorrectly, reproduced in the first telegram, the charge for words in the request for repetition, and in the reply relating exclusively to words correctly transmitted originally, shall not be refunded. No refund shall be made for words written in a doubtful manner, nor shall any claim be entertained for refund of cost of consequential telegrams, that is, private telegrams which the addressee or sender causes to be sent in connexion with any supposed error in a telegram.
Time occupied in transmission of Telegrams.
Not more than half-an-hour at one time shall be devoted to the transmission of any telegram, and all telegrams that may have accumulated during that interval shall be despatched before the transmission of such telegram is resumed.
Urgent Telegrams.
Urgent telegrams, for transmission to places within the Commonwealth, shall be accepted from the public on payment of double the ordinary fee. Such telegrams will be transmitted and delivered in preference to any other telegram. “Urgent” forms and envelopes must be used for “Urgent” telegrams.
When the sender of an urgent telegram prepays a reply, the officer accepting the telegram must ascertain if the reply is also to be treated as urgent or as an ordinary telegram, and the fact, as the case may be, must be stated in the Preamble of the telegram, thus :—“Reply paid, urgent rate,” or “Reply paid, ordinary rate.” These words must be paid for by the sender of the telegram.
Non-responsibility of Department for Errors, &c.
No responsibility shall be undertaken, nor any claim for compensation entertained, for any errors or mistakes in transmission or delay in delivery of telegrams whether repeated or unrepeated or for non-transmission or non-delivery of telegrams, from whatever cause such errors, or mistakes in transmission, or delay in, transmission or delivery, or non-transmission or non-delivery, may arise.
Receipts for Telegrams.
A receipt showing the amount paid for any telegram handed in at a telegraph or telephone office shall be given to the sender on payment of one penny (1d.). The form of receipt must be filled in by the sender or his representative and handed in, with the charge of one penny affixed by means of a postage stamp, at the same time as the telegram, for the initials of the receiving officer, cancellation of the stamp, and an impression of the office date stamp.
Cancellation of Telegrams.
The sender, on making a written application and proving his identity, may, if practicable, have his telegram cancelled. If it be cancelled before the commencement of transmission, the amount paid shall be refunded; but if the transmission has commenced, the sum shall not be refunded; if transmission has been completed, an official telegram shall, if prepaid by the sender, be sent to the terminal office, and, if it arrive too late he shall be advised that the attempt to cancel his telegram has failed.
If from any cause a telegram cannot be transmitted within a reasonable time, and the delay is considered likely to destroy its value, the sender shall, if practicable, be notified of such delay; it will then be optional with him to cancel the telegram.
Delivery of Telegrams.
1. Telegrams shall be delivered, free of charge, within a radius of one mile, and on payment of 3d. if beyond one mile and within a radius of 1½ mile from the office of destination provided that messengers are attached to that office. If natural obstacles or other difficulties intervene, the Department shall not undertake delivery. Beyond the 1½-mile radius delivery expenses shall be charged. For telegrams to be delivered on shipboard a charge for boat hire, if necessary, may be made.
2. No. receipts from the addressees need be taken upon the delivery of telegrams originating in and delivered within the Commonwealth. Should it be necessary to obtain evidence of the delivery of a telegram, a receipt therefor, by telegram, may be ordered at the time such telegram is lodged for transmission, and shall be telegraphed back to the sender upon payment of ordinary telegraph charges, or, if desired, sent by post-card on payment of 1d.
3. Senders of telegrams must invariably give every information they can to the officers of the Department that will facilitate delivery; if the sender omit to do so, it is at his own risk. When it is found that the place to which a telegram is to be delivered is beyond the radius, of 1½ mile from the office, and no porterage has been guaranteed or paid, the telegram may, be posted from the office of receipt.
4. Where no messengers are employed telegrams remain at the office until called for. Arrangements have been made in many cases for special delivery, at fixed rates, of telegrams for places beyond the limits of free delivery. The rates at which such telegrams will be so delivered are given in the List of Telegraph Offices, under the heading “Porterage.” Porterage charges are calculated at per half mile, or portion thereof.
5. Mileage shall be charged upon the distance from the telegraph office to which telegrams are addressed to places of delivery. No charge shall be made for return journeys. The rates, unless otherwise stated, shall apply to telegrams sent during ordinary office hours. In every case where porterage is paid or guaranteed on a telegram the amount so paid or guaranteed must be notified by the sending station, and the instructions “Porterage Paid,” “Porterage Guaranteed,” or “By Post,” as the case may be, must be charged for as part of the telegram.
Mode of Delivery of Telegrams.
Telegrams shall be delivered according to their address—
(a) To the addressee or (except when instructions to the contrary have been given) to any person at the residence of the addressee.
(b) To the addressee or his duly appointed representative—
at the Post Office; or
at the Telegraph Office.
If the door be not opened at the address given, or if the messenger finds no one who will consent to take in the telegram, notice shall be left at such address, and the telegram returned to the telegraph office, to be delivered to the addressee or his nominee upon application. If not applied for in the meantime the telegram shall be sent out a second time when a messenger passes the address given.
Undelivered Telegrams—Rectification of Address.
When a telegram cannot be delivered, the office of destination must advise the sending office of the cause of non-delivery, which advice, if practicable, must be communicated to the sender. The latter can only complete, rectify, or confirm the address by means of a paid telegram.
Inquiries to be paid for.
Officers shall not make any telegraphic inquiries with respect to telegrams unless such inquiries be paid for. If error on the part of the Department be shown, the amount paid for inquiry shall be refunded on written application being made to the postmaster.
Certain Instructions, if paid for, will be written on outside of envelope.
The sender may have any instructions, such as “private,” “confidential,” “to be opened at once,” or the like written on the outside of the envelope of a telegram. These instructions shall be charged for as part of the telegram.
Redirection.
A telegram may, on the written request of the addressee or his agent, be redirected and retransmitted from one office to another within the Commonwealth; such telegrams shall, on retransmission, be charged the full rate, which must be paid before delivery.
A telegram addressed to a hotel or house, at which lodgers are received, may, if the addressee has left such hotel or house, be returned, if unopened, to the office from which it was delivered, with an indorsement on the cover containing instructions as to its further transmission; such instructions must be signed and dated by the proprietor of such hotel or house, or his servant, who, for the purpose of this regulation, shall be deemed to be the agent of the addressee of such telegram.
Instructions re Delivery of Telegrams at another Address, &c.
Notices of removal and instructions, in writing, respecting the delivery of telegrams at hours when the addressee’s place of business is closed shall be registered free of charge. If no such instructions have been registered, and any additional service is performed in delivering a telegram at a second address in the same town, an extra charge of 6d. shall be made.
Press Telegrams.
1. Press telegrams shall mean those the text of which consists of political, commercial, &c., information, and news intended for publication in a newspaper.
2. The following conditions must be complied with :—
(a) The telegram must be sent by a recognised or authorized correspondent, and addressed to a registered newspaper or recognised news agency. If addressed to a manager, editor, or other person by name, it shall be charged at full ordinary rate.
(b) The telegram must contain only intelligence which is intended for immediate publication in a newspaper, or for immediate exhibition in the news-room of the newspaper or agency to which it is addressed; and
(c) The telegram must not contain—
1. Letters to the editor.
2. Advertisements.
3. Election addresses.
4. Anything not intended for immediate publication or exhibition (as aforesaid).
5. Anything in cipher or a foreign language.
6. Anything for the publication of which in a newspaper a cash payment is usually made.
3. Commonwealth press telegrams shall mean those relating to parliamentary and executive proceedings of the Commonwealth, or parliamentary papers and Bills; or summaries thereof, without notes or comments; or information given by Commonwealth Ministers for publication.
4. If in any telegram presented for transmission as a press telegram there appears to be any infringement of the foregoing conditions, such telegram shall be accepted at press rate, only on the condition that the sender undertakes, in writing, to pay for same at full ordinary rate if subsequently called upon so to do. And such telegram must, immediately after transmission, be forwarded by post to the Deputy Postmaster-General, who shall decide whether the same shall be charged for as a press telegram or as an ordinary telegram.
5. Telegrams containing any public news other than advertisements or matter inserted for payment or consideration, which has appeared in any local newspaper, may be transmitted to any station at which no newspaper is published at Press rates, but in such cases the charges must be prepaid.
6. Ordinary telegrams take precedence of Press telegrams between the hours of 9 a.m and 6.30 p.m., and all telegrams received at any one time addressed to the proprietor, publisher, or agent of a newspaper for transmission at Press rates between the hours named may be restricted to 500 words.
Telegrams available for inspection—Fees for Search, &c.
Telegrams may be inspected by the sender at the office of transmission on the day of lodgment without charge : Afterwards the sender or addressee, or a duly authorized agent of either may inspect a telegram or obtain a certified copy, or extracts therefrom, within two years from the date of transmission, on payment, in advance, of a fee of 1s., if necessary particulars are furnished, or 2s. 6d. if such particulars are not furnished, but satisfactory proof of identity must, in all cases, be furnished.
If desired, the copy or extracts may be furnished by wire, and in such cases half-rate shall be charged for transmission of the telegram containing such copy or extracts, in addition to the before-mentioned fee.
Transmission of Telegrams by Telephone.
1. Subscribers to telephone exchanges may transmit by telephone to any telegraph office which may be connected with a telephone exchange messages intended to be further transmitted from the telegraph office to the respective destinations of such messages as telegrams; provided they pay the usual cost of such telegrams in addition to the rates for transmission through the telephone.
2. Subscribers may also, at their option, have telegrams addressed to them forwarded by telephone from the telegraph office of destination to their telephonic address; provided such telegraph office is connected with a telephone exchange; and copies of such telegrams will at the same time be posted for delivery to their address, stamped on the face “Transmitted by Telephone.”
3. Subscribers may elect to pay either an annual fee of £5 5s. for the transmission of telegrams by telephone, or they may pay for each individual telegram transmitted.
4. The charges for transmitting telegrams through the telephone, when the annual fee of five guineas (£5 5s.) has not been paid, shall be as follow :—
s.
d.
For the first twenty words or under ......................................
0
3
For each additional ten words or under ....................................
0
1
5. Where telegrams are required to be transmitted by telephone over trunk lines for the use of which special fees are chargeable, these fees must be paid in addition to the above charges or the annual fee.
In addition to these rates the usual cost of the telegrams forwarded for transmission by wire must be paid, and persons wishing to avail themselves of the above-mentioned arrangement must deposit with the Department a sum sufficient to cover the cost of such telegrams for one month, such deposit to be renewed monthly, or more frequently, if necessary.
6. The transcription of telegrams telephoned by subscribers shall, so far as the Department is concerned, become the original telegrams, but the Department shall not assume, nor be subject to, any liability by reason, or on account of any failure, delay, or mistake, in or about the transmission, receipt, or delivery of any telegram under this arrangement, from whatever cause the same may arise.
7. Subscribers may transmit messages through the telephone for delivery within a radius of one mile from the telegraph office connected with the telephone exchange at the ordinary telegram rate, to be paid either by the sender or the addressee.
8. The precaution of asking the officer who receives a message by telephone to repeat it through the telephone after transcribing it and before transmitting it by wire to destination, must always be adopted. It must then be accepted by the sender as correct.
9. Telephonograms shall not be transmitted over trunk lines.
10. Telephonograms advising the movements of shipping may be sent from the various coast stations connected by telegraph in any State to telephone subscribers on application, on payment of the ordinary telegram rates.
Transaction of Business after usual office hours.
Arrangements may be made to keep any official office open for the transmission of telegrams after the ordinary business hours, upon notice being given to the officer in charge, at least one hour before the ordinary time of closing, and upon payment of a deposit of four shillings (4s.) for the first hour or portion thereof, and two shillings (2s.) for every subsequent hour, or portion thereof, during which it is desired the office may be kept open. All telegrams transmitted shall be paid for at the usual rates.
Local Messages.
Messages may be handed in at any telegraph office in the Commonwealth at which messengers are employed, for delivery at any place within the boundaries fixed for the delivery of telegrams within the city, town, &c., in which such office is situated; Such messages will not be transmitted by wire, but shall be charged for and delivered under the same Regulations as telegrams.
Weather Reports and Rainfall Information.
Weather forecasts may be transmitted within any State in code language, at the rates charged for ordinary telegrams, or may be supplied to any person by telegraphic message daily—Sundays and holidays excepted—on payment in advance of five pounds per annum. Provided, however, that in the latter case no such message shall exceed twelve words in length. Rainfall information in plain language may be transmitted at the rates charged for press telegrams.
TELEGRAMS BEYOND THE COMMONWEALTH.
Rules and Regulations as to the Transmission of Telegrams.
1. To provide against errors in transmission telegrams may be repeated by being sent back from the terminal station to the station from which originally sent. One quarter of the usual rate for transmission shall be charged for such repetition. Telegrams shall also be subject to the rules and regulations of the International Telegraph Convention, including account of Article 3, which stipulates that the telegraph administrations accept no responsibility on their respective services.
Manner of Writing and Acceptance of Telegrams.
2. Telegrams may be in plain or secret language (except to countries which do not admit telegrams in secret language), the latter being subdivided into code and cipher languages. Each of these languages may be employed alone or conjointly with the others in the same telegram.
3. Telegrams in plain language shall mean those composed of words conveying an intelligible meaning, but may also include figures and letters used as commercial signs.
4. Telegrams in code language shall mean those composed of words each having a clear meaning but not forming intelligible phrases. Proper names in the text of such telegrams shall be accepted only when used in their natural sense. Words of more than ten letters shall not be allowed, and only English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portugese, Dutch, and Latin words may be employed, but words of any or of all these languages may appear in the same telegram.
The sender may be required to produce his code for the purpose of verifying the authenticity of the words used.
5. Telegrams in cipher language are those containing groups or series of figures having a secret meaning, and such telegrams must be composed exclusively of Arabic figures. Except in Government telegrams, letters or groups of letters having a secret meaning shall not be allowed, but letters or groups of letters used as commercial signs are allowed in the midst of plain or secret language, and shall then be charged for as figures.
6. A telegram consisting merely of the address, i.e., without text, may be accepted for transmission.
7. The telegram to be transmitted must be legibly written in characters which have their equivalents in the official table of telegraph signals. The name of the sender may be transmitted either in full or in an abbreviated form, or if so desired need not be transmitted; but the sender or his representative must sign his name at the foot of the telegram form, adding, if required, his address.
8. Every interlineation, reference, erasure, or alteration must be authenticated by the sender or his representative.
9. The different parts forming the telegram must be written in the following order :—
10. The sender of a private telegram must prove his identity when required to do so.
11. Any instructions the sender may wish to give relative to delivery, prepayment of reply, acknowledgment of receipt, &c., must be written immediately before the address of the telegram, and be charged for. These instructions may be written in the abbreviated form shown below, when they shall be, respectively, charged for as one word, namely :—
(D)
for Urgent.
(PR)
for Post, post registered.
(RP)
,, Reply paid.
(XP)
,, Express, express-paid.
(RPx)
,, Reply paid x words.
(XPfr.x)
,, Express paid x francs
(RPD)
,, Reply paid urgent.
(XPT)
,, Telegraph express pa
(RPDx)
,, Reply paid urgent x words.
(XPP)
,, Express paid letter.
(TC)
,, Collated.
(RO)
,, To be delivered open.
(PC)
,, Telegram with telegraphic acknow-.
(MP)
,, To be delivered to addresse only.
ledgment of receipt
(TR)
,, Telegraphe restante.
(PCP)
,, Telegram with postal acknowledgment
(PG)
,, Poste restante.
of receipt.
(PGR)
,, Poste restante, registered
(FS)
,, To follow.
(TMx)
,, “x addresses.”
12. The address of a telegram must contain at least two words; the first designating the addressee, the second indicating the terminal telegraph office. The address must contain all particulars necessary to insure delivery of the telegram at its destination; when the name of the terminal office has not yet been published in the Official Nomenclature, the name of the country of destination must be inserted. In all cases the sender must bear the consequences of insufficiency of address.
13. Where the necessary arrangement has been made between the addressee and the terminal telegraph office, the address may be written in a code or abbreviated form. On payment of a fee of 10s. 6d. per annum, payable in advance on the 1st April, or 2s. 6d. for one month, the full address at which telegrams received in the Commonwealth, and bearing code or abbreviated addresses, are to be delivered, shall be registered at the Chief Telegraph Office of the State of destination.
Only dictionary words shall, in future, be registered, and the use of combination or made-up words (such as “Coffpal”) or surnames shall not be permitted.
14. When a telegram is addressed to the care of a person who has registered a code or abbreviated address, his name or the words representing the registered address must be preceded by the word “care” or any other equivalent ; its omission will involve the non-delivery of the telegram, and the sender shall be required to pay the cost of a service telegram to correct the address.
15. Government telegrams must bear the seal or stamp of the authority sending them. This formality, however, may be dispensed with when there is no doubt as to the authenticity of the telegram.
Telegrams from Consular Agents, who are engaged in commerce, shall be considered as Government telegrams only when they are addressed to an Official personage, and when they relate to official affairs.
The text of Government telegrams may, in all cases, be composed of plain or secret language. These languages may be employed together in the same telegram, provided, however, that the mixture in the same telegram of figures and letters having a secret meaning shall not be permitted.
16. The right to send a reply as a Government telegram shall be recognised on production of the original Government telegram.
Rectifying Telegrams.
17. The sender or addressee of a telegram already transmitted, or in course of transmission, may, within an interval of seventy-two hours (not including Sunday), following the handing in or delivery of such telegram, as the case may be, cause inquiry to be made, or instructions to be given respecting it by telegraph; he may also, with the object of rectification, have a telegram which he has sent or received, repeated wholly or in part. In either case he must deposit the following amounts :—
(a) The charge for a telegram formulating the request.
(b) The charge for a reply telegram, if a telegraphic answer be required.
These telegrams shall be exchanged between the Telegraph Offices concerned, and not between the sender and addressee.
Counting and Charging.
18. All that the sender writes on the telegram-form for transmission to his correspondent shall be charged for. Signs of punctuation, apostrophes, hyphens, and fresh paragraphs shall not be transmitted unless expressly desired and paid for.
19. The name of the station of origin, date, and time of deposit must be officially inserted in the telegram and transmitted free of charge. (Telegrams from North America, viâ the North Atlantic, bear London time, the original time not being signalled by the North Atlantic companies.)
20. Combinations or alterations of words, contrary to the usage of the language, shall not be allowed. Nevertheless, names of towns and countries, patronymics belonging to one person, names of places, squares, boulevards, streets, or ships, whole or fractional numbers written entirely in letters, and English and French compound words (to be found in a standard dictionary), if not joined by a hyphen or separated by an apostrophe, may be counted as one word.
21. If a short charge has been made on a telegram owing to the sender having employed words or combinations contrary to the usage of the language, the amount short charged must be paid by the addressee, or, in the event of his refusing to do so, by the sender, otherwise the telegram shall not be delivered.
22. The following shall be counted as one word in all languages :—
1. In the address (not in the text of the message) :—
(a) The name of the telegraph office of destination written as it appears in the first column of the official nomenclature of the offices, even when the name is followed by that of the country or of the territorial subdivision to which such office belongs :
(b) The names of countries or territorial subdivisions respectively, if written in conformity with the said nomenclature.
2. Every code word fulfilling the conditions laid down in regulation 5.
3. Every separate character, letter, or figure.
4. Underline.
5. Parenthesis (the two signs which serve to form it).
6. Inverted commas (the two signs placed at the commencement and end of one and the same passage).
7. Supplementary instructions written in the abridged form allowed by regulation 12.
The following are Examples for Counting and Charging Telegrams :—
* Hanover and Wurttemberg following Emmingen serve to complete the designation of two offices of the same name in the same State, and thus appear in the first column of the official nomenclature of telegraph offices.
Examples for Counting and Charging Telegrams—continued.
23. In telegrams written entirely in plain language the maximum length of a word shall be 15 letters, any additional letters being counted and charged for at the rate of 15 letters or portion thereof to the word.§ In code language the maximum length of a word is 10 letters. Words in plain language in the text of a mixed telegram (i.e., composed of words in plain language and code) are each counted at the rate of 10 letters to a word.* If the mixed telegram contains, in addition, cipher language, the passages in cipher are counted at the rate of 5 figures to a word. If a mixed telegram is composed only of plain language and cipher language, the words in plain language are counted at the rate of 15 letters to a word, and the words in cipher language at the rate of 5 figures to a word.
24. Words joined by a hyphen or separated by an apostrophe shall be counted as so many separate words.
25. Each group of five figures or less shall be charged for as one word; larger groups shall be charged at the rate of 5 figures to a word. The same rule shall apply to the counting of groups of letters where allowed.
26. Decimal points, commas, hyphens, bars of divisions, and stops used in the formation of numbers or trade-marks shall each be counted as a figure, or a letter in the group or trade-mark in which they occur. The same rule shall apply to letters added to figures to form ordinal numbers ; with the exception, that groups of figures and letters combined shall not be allowed.
27. Code words containing more than 10 letters, if inadvertently allowed, and words not belonging to any of the languages allowed for international correspondence shall be charged for at the rate of 5 letters to the word.
28. The abbreviation “fob” (meaning “free on board”), “cif” (“cost insurance freight”), and “cfi” (“cost freight insurance”) shall be counted as one word if so written. If written separately, as “F.O.B.,” “C.I.F.,” and “C.F.I.,” they shall be counted as three words each. The abbreviations “B/L” (“Bill of Lading”), “c/o” (“care of”), and “%” (“per cent.”) shall each be counted as one word. Other abbreviations shall not be allowed.
29. The words twopence, threepence, &c., up to elevenpence, if so written, shall be charged as one word each. In a code or mixed telegram, however, the word elevenpence shall be charged as two words, as it contains over ten letters; in a cipher telegram it shall count as one word only.
Payment of Charges.
30. All charges for telegrams must be prepaid, except those for transmission beyond the first destination of “to follow” telegrams, or express delivery, or alterations or illegal combinations of words
Image unavailable in extracted text* In this case the expression “Hydepark” written as a single word counts as one word, because the word “park” forms an integral part of the name of the square.
† Telegraph instruments cannot reproduce such expressions as 30a, 15 + 6, &c. Senders must be asked to substitute for them the explicit meanings, “30 exposant a,” “15 multiplié par 6,” &c.
‡ These can only be telegraphed AP/M and 3/M respectively.
§ A diphthong shall be counted and charged for as a single character.
discovered by the delivering office, which shall be claimed from the addressee before delivery of the telegram ; in the event of non-payment by the addressee the sender shall be required to pay the amount due.
31. On payment of a fee of 1d. a receipt may be obtained by the sender for any telegram handed in for transmission.
Stoppage of Telegrams.
32. The sender of a telegram may, if in time, and on proving his identity, stop its transmission.
When a sender withdraws or stops his telegram before transmission has been commenced the amount paid shall be returned to him. If the telegram has been transmitted by the office at which it was lodged the sender’s only means of requesting its cancellation shall be by a paid service advice.
33. The telegraph administrations reserve to themselves the power to stop the transmission of any private telegram which may appear dangerous to the security of the State or which may be contrary to the laws of the country, to public order, or decency. If such power is exercised the sender of the telegram is advised thereof.
Delivery at Destination.
34. Telegrams shall be delivered according to their address—
(a) to the addressee or (except when instructions to the contrary have been given) to any person at the residence of the addressee.
(b) to the addressee or his duly appointed representative—
at the Post Office ; or
at the Telegraph Office.
If the door be not opened at the address given, or the messenger finds no one who will consent to take in the telegram, notice shall be left at such address, and the telegram be returned to the telegraph office, to be delivered to the addressee or his nominee upon application. If not applied for in the meantime, the telegram shall be sent out a second time when a messenger passes the address given.
Undelivered Telegrams—Rectification of Address.
35. When a telegram cannot be delivered the delivery office shall advise the sending office of the cause of non-delivery, which advice, if practicable, shall be communicated to the sender. The latter can only complete, rectify, or confirm the address by means of a paid telegram.
Prepaid Replies.
36. The sender of a telegram may prepay the reply which he requests his correspondent to forward; but, except to obtain the repetition of a telegram previously transmitted, such prepayment may not exceed the tariff of a telegram of any kind, of 30 words, for the same transit.
When a sender prepays a reply he must write before the address the notice “reply paid” or “(RP),” adding the number of words prepaid for the reply, and pay the corresponding amount. If the sender does not specify the number of words, the rate for an ordinary telegram of 10 words by the same route must be prepaid.
37. On delivery of a reply-paid telegram there shall be handed to the addressee a voucher which shall entitle him to send, within a period of six weeks, free of charge within the limits of the amount prepaid, a telegram to any destination whatever from any telegraph office in the State.
38. If a reply or other telegram contain more words than have been prepaid the deficiency must be paid by the sender of such telegram; if it contain a less number of words than have been prepaid the amount overpaid shall be returned to the sender on application.
39. If the amount prepaid be not made use of by the addressee, he may, within a period of three months, return the voucher delivered with the telegram to which it relates to the telegraph office with a request that the money be refunded to the person who paid the same, when the amount shall be so refunded.
40. If a telegram for which a reply has been paid be refused by the addressee, the office of destination shall so inform the sender through the office of origin by service advice, which shall take the place of the reply. If the addressee of the telegram cannot be found, and the sender does not correct the address, the amount deposited for the reply shall be refunded to the sender on application.
Repeated or Collated Telegrams.
41. The sender of any telegram may request that it be collated—that is, repeated from station to station—in which case he must write before the address the notice “Collation,” or “(TC).” The charge for collation shall be one-quarter of the charge for an ordinary telegram of the same length for the same transit.
Acknowledgment of Receipt.
42. The sender of any telegram may request that a notice of the date and time of its delivery to the addressee be transmitted to him as soon as possible after such delivery. When the telegram is forwarded to its final destination by post this notification shall indicate the date and hour of posting.
If notification by telegraph be required the sender must write before the address the instruction “Acknowledgment of Receipt,” or “(PC),” and pay the cost of an ordinary telegram of 10 words for the same destination by the same route. If notice by post be desired the sender must write before the address the instruction “Postal acknowledgment of receipt” or “(POP),” and pay a fee of 5d.
Telegrams to follow.
43. The sender of a telegram addressed to New Zealand, European countries, or other countries whose regulations permit, may request, by inserting the notice “to follow” or “(FS)” before the address, that the terminal office shall cause his telegram to follow the addressee. (The notice “to follow” shall be charged for as two words and “(FS)” as one). In such case the sender shall pay the charge for transmission to the first address and the cost of further transmission shall be collected on delivery. Replies to telegrams “to follow” cannot be prepaid, neither can acknowledgment of receipt be obtained. If the telegram cannot be delivered the sender shall be advised thereof, and also be required to pay any charges due thereon.
44. Any person may arrange that telegrams addressed to him shall be re-transmitted to him at another address, but he must pay all charges consequent thereon.
Multiple Telegrams.
45. A multiple telegram may be addressed either to several persons in the same locality or in different localities but served by the same telegraph office, or to the same person at several addresses in the same locality, with or without redespatch by post or by express, if the instruction “x address” or “(TMx)” be written before the address.
46. A multiple telegram shall be charged for as a single telegram, but a copying fee of 5d. for every 100 words or portion of 100 words contained in the telegram shall be charged for each address after the first. In calculating this fee all the words in the text of the telegram, the signature, and the address shall be counted, the charge for each copy being treated separately.
Note.—Multiple telegrams are not accepted for places in North America.
Telegrams to places beyond the International System.
47. Telegrams addressed to places beyond the termini of telegraph lines may, if the sender so desire, be despatched to destination by post or express; their despatch by express can, however, only be required when they are for countries which have organised means of delivery of telegrams more rapid than the post. Telegrams to be posted as registered letters or those to be sent by ordinary post to a country, other than that of the terminal telegraph station, shall be subject to a fee of 5d. each. The charges for transmission by express shall, as a rule, be collected from the addressee, but the sender may, if he so desire, prepay such charges.
Semaphoric Telegrams.
48. Semaphoric telegrams, i.e., those exchanged with ships at sea by means of semaphores established on the various coasts, must be written either in the language of the country in which the semaphore station from which they are to be signallad is situated, or in signals of the Universal Commercial Code; in the latter case they shall be considered as cipher telegrams. When they are for ships at sea, the address must contain, in addition to the ordinary instructions, the name or official number of the vessel for which they are intended and its nationality.
The charge for such telegrams shall be tenpence (10d.) each, in addition to the ordinary cost of transmission by telegraph. The total charges shall be collected from the sender for telegrams addressed to ships at sea, and from the addressee for telegrams from ships at sea.
49. If the ship to which a semaphoric telegram is addressed does not arrive within the term of twenty-eight days, the sender shall be advised accordingly, when he may, on paying for an ordinary telegram of ten words, request that the semaphore continue to present his telegram for another period of thirty days, and so on. If this request be not made the telegram shall be treated as a dead letter.
Certified Copies of Telegrams.
50. The sender or receiver of a telegram, or his authorized representative, may, on proof of identity and on furnishing full particulars of the telegram, obtain a certified copy of the telegram as handed in, or as delivered at destination, on payment of a fee of fivepence for every 100 words or portion of 100 words.
As all telegrams are destroyed periodically certified copies of telegrams more than two years old cannot be supplied.
Refunds.
51. Re-imbursement shall take place if a claim be made of the following charges, to those who have paid them :—
(a) All charges erroneously collected in excess.
(b) The full cost of every telegram which has failed to reach its destination through the fault of the telegraph service.
(c) The full cost of every telegram stopped in transmission owing to interruption of a route, and for that reason cancelled by the sender.
(d) The full cost of every telegram which owing to the fault of the telegraph service is received later than it would have been delivered by post, or has not been delivered to the addressee until after a delay of 48 hours in the case of a New Zealand message, and 144 hours in the case of an International message.
(e) The full cost of every collated telegram which has manifestly been unable to fulfil its object in consequence of errors made in its transmission, unless the errors have been rectified by paid service advice.
(f) The supplementary charge for special services not rendered.
(g) The full cost of every paid service advice, the sending of which has been necessitated by service error.
(h) The amount deposited for a reply when the addressee has not been able to make use of the voucher, and when such voucher remains in the hands of, or has been returned to the office from which it was issued, within three months from the date of issue.
(i) The charge in respect of the telegraph section not traversed by the message when, owing to interruption of a telegraph route, the telegram has been forwarded to its destination by postal or other means. The expense of replacing the original telegraphic route by any other means of transport may, however, be deducted from the amount to be refunded.
(j) The cost of every word omitted in the transmission of a telegram unless corrected by paid service advice.
(k) Amounts deposited for paid service advices, and for replies thereto if the repetition does not agree with the first transmission, with the reservation, however, that when some words have been correctly and some incorrectly reproduced in the first telegram, the charge for words in the request for repetition, and in the reply relating exclusively to words correctly transmitted originally is not refunded. No refund is made with respect to words written in a doubtful manner.
(l) The difference between the amount of a reply voucher, and the charge for a reply telegram of less value prepaid by means of such voucher.
(m) The charge for every, telegram stopped on the ground that it is considered, dangerous to the security of the State or contrary to the laws of the country, to public order, or decency, or owing to the suspension of the telegraph service.
52. In the cases provided for in paragraphs b, c, d, h, i, and j, the refund only applies to the tariff of the actual telegrams lost, cancelled, delayed, or mutilated, including any supplementary charges not used, but not to telegrams necessitated or rendered useless by non-delivery, delay, or mutilation.
53. In case of a partial refund on account of a multiple telegram the total charge received shall be divided by the number of copies, and the quotient shall represent the amount of refund for each copy, the telegram itself counting as one copy.
54. When errors of the telegraphic service have been corrected by paid service advices, re-imbursement shall only apply to the charges for such service advices. No refund shall be made in respect of telegrams to which such advices relate.
55. No refund shall be made for rectifying telegrams, which instead of being exchanged from office to office as paid service advices have been exchanged direct between sender and addressee.
56. Every claim for refund must be made under penalty of rejection within six months from the date of deposit of the telegram.
Every claim must be made to the original sending Administration, and be accompanied by documentary evidence—i.e., a written statement from the terminal office or addressee if the telegram has been delayed or not been delivered; or the copy delivered to the addressee, if the question is one of alteration or omission.
The claim may, however, be presented by the addressee to the office of destination, which shall decide whether it will deal with it. or whether it must be forwarded to the sending Administration.
Press Telegrams.
57. Press telegrams shall mean those addressed to newspapers duly published in accordance with the respective laws relating to the publication of newspapers in force in the countries concerned, and intended for publication in full in such newspapers; such telegrams must have an intelligible meaning, and be written in plain language without the use of letters, words, or figures having a secret meaning. Figures or groups of figures shall be accepted only when used in their natural sense.
58. Press telegrams may be transmitted from or to New Zealand, New Caledonia, Cape Colony, Ceylon, China, India, Burmah, Japan, Straits Settlements, France, the United Kingdom, and Chicago, New York City, and San Francisco in the United States of America. Such telegrams must be written in English when addressed to British or American stations, and in French when addressed to French stations. Their transmission may be deferred, suspended, or interrupted for the transmission of Government or private telegrams.
59. The contents of telegrams forwarded at “Press rates” may not be sold, distributed, or communicated to clubs, exchanges, or newsrooms, or be disposed of for any purpose whatsoever, either directly or indirectly, other than for publication in newspapers allowed by the Governments concerned to receive them.
60. Press telegrams shall be accepted only from the authorized correspondents of newspapers, and the news contained in such telegrams must be duly published in such newspapers, or satisfactory reasons be given for non-publication, otherwise full tariff rates must be paid.
61. Any telegram not complying with the foregoing conditions must be paid for at full tariff rates.
Note.—The Administrations concerned reserve to themselves the right to terminate this arrangement, but in such case will give twelve months’ notice of their intention to do so.
TELEPHONE REGULATIONS.
TELEPHONE EXCHANGES.
1. Applications for connexion with the telephone system must he made to the Deputy Postmaster-General.
2. All telephone lines, instruments, &c., in connexion with the telephone system are erected and supplied by the Postmaster-General, the cost being borne by the Government, and no persons, except employés of the department, are to be allowed to interfere with any wires, instruments, &c., under the Department’s control. In the event of any such interference the subscriber concerned may have his line disconnected. The rates charged for the use of the lines and of one telephone set complete, in addition to service at the respective exchanges, shall be those for the time being in force in the respective States.
For the foregoing charges all requisite attendance shall be given, and necessary adjustments, repairs, and renewals of lines, instruments, and batteries effected.
In all cases where submarine cables, or other special arrangements are required in the construction of a line, the charges shall be fixed according to circumstances.
3. Telephone lines must be rented for not less than one year, or such longer period as the Deputy Postmaster-General may determine, and the use of any such line may be discontinued after the expiration of that period, or of any subsequent half-year, by the subscriber giving one calender month’s previous notice of his intention to discontinue the use of such line.
4. Rent payable in respect of any telephone line shall be charged from the date on which such line has been connected with the exchange. The first year’s rent of any such line must be paid in advance, the next payment must be (in advance), for the proportion of rent payable for the period ending the calendar half-year immediately following the expiration of the first year, and thereafter rent must be paid half-yearly in advance : Provided, however, that in respect of lines, the cost of the construction of which will exceed the amount payable as rent for the first year, the subscriber may be called upon to pay in advance rent for such period as will cover the cost of construction of such line.
5. If any subscriber make default in payment of rent and other charges due by him, and on being requested by notice to pay such rent and charges, shall fail to pay the same within fourteen days from the date of such notice, the Deputy Postmaster-General may order that the telephone used by such subscriber be disconnected from the exchange, may cancel the agreement, cause the name of such subscriber to be removed from the list, and may order the removal of all wires, instruments, &c., without prejudice to his right to recover the rent payable to the end of the term for which such line was rented.
6. A fee of 5s. in addition to any other amounts due shall be paid by any subscriber whose telephone has been disconnected from the exchange for non-payment of rent or other charges due, before the telephone is again connected with the exchange. If the instrument or wires have been removed, any application for reconnexion with the exchange shall be treated as an application for a new line.
7. Except where natural obstructions exist, when the actual mileage may be charged, mileage shall be calculated radially, from the telephone exchange with which the line is connected as the centre. In the case of extension lines the mileage shall be calculated from the starting point of such extension, allowance being made for any shortage on the exchange line.
8. All telephone instruments, batteries, &c., shall be supplied at the cost of the Government, and be the exclusive property of the Postmaster-General. Upon the termination of the agreement the Postmaster-General may remove such instruments, &c., for which purpose, as also to permit of their inspection, when considered necessary, his officers shall have free access to the premises of the subscriber. The subscriber must pay for all damage to instruments, &c., beyond fair wear and tear.
9. Before a suburban or country telephone exchange shall be established fifteen persons must agree to rent lines, if only a day service (i.e., between the hours of 9 a.m. and 8 p.m.) be required, or twenty-five persons must so agree if a day and night service be required. The Postmaster-General shall have the right, in all cases, to determine whether an exchange shall be established, and, notwithstanding anything contained in the foregoing regulations, he may, if he consider it undesirable to establish an exchange, authorize connexions to be made with an existing exchange, and may, in such case, charge such rates as would be applicable if a new exchange were established and the connexions made therewith.
10. Telephone lines connected with the exchanges must be used only by the subscriber, his family, or employés, and exclusively on his own business, except in cases where licences have been granted by the Postmaster-General to persons to use subscribers’ telephones, in accordance with the regulations prescribing the terms upon which such licences may be granted. Any breach of this regulation shall render the subscriber liable to have his telephone disconnected, without prejudice to the right of the Postmaster-General to recover the rent and other charges payable to the end of the term agreed upon. Provided, however, that in case of emergency, a subscriber may permit the use of his line by the subscriber for another line connected with the same exchange. The use of any subscriber’s line may, with his consent, be granted to a non-subscriber to summon medical aid in urgent cases, to give notice of fire, or to call the police. In the cases of hotels and lodging-houses, the telephones may be used by any person residing on the premises, but not by casual callers.
11. Should a subscriber require his telephone to be removed to another address or position, or any alterations to be made, he shall be required to pay the actual cost of alterations to the line (unless the rental be increased) plus the total cost of refitting the telephone; but, if the rental be increased, only the cost of refitting the telephone shall be charged.
12. No telephone messages shall contain unbecoming expressions, or language of an obscene or offensive nature, or of a character calculated to provoke a breach of the peace. Any violation of this regulation shall render the subscriber liable to have the telephone disconnected, and any instruments, &c., belonging to the Postmaster-General removed, without prejudice to the right of the Postmaster-General to recover the rent and other charges payable to the end of the term agreed upon.
13. The name of every subscriber may be inserted twice free of charge in each issue of the Telephone Directory once in the alphabetical list, and once in the numerical or trade list, but an annual fee of 5s. shall be charged for each additional name inserted at the request of a subscriber, but more than six names shall not be inserted at the request of any one person. However, before any such additional name can be inserted in the directory, evidence must be produced to the satisfaction of the Deputy Postmaster-General that the applicant is acting as agent for the person or firm whose name he desires to be so inserted, and in no case shall any person other than such applicant or his employés be allowed to use the telephone on behalf of such person or firm.
14. Persons occupying offices in the same building may jointly subscribe under the one exchange number, on payment (in addition to rental as for one person at the respective rates herein set forth) of £3 per annum for each additional set of instruments fixed in the several offices of such joint subscribers, or, if additional instruments be not required, £2 per annum for each additional name to be inserted in the Telephone Directory.
If additional instruments be required, the joint subscribers shall provide an attendant for their own local switchboard. Switch and bell, or switchboard, may be supplied by the Postmaster-General on rental, at the rate of 10s. per annum for switch and bell or per number on the switchboard.
Persons jointly occupying the same private residence may subscribe under the one exchange number, on payment (in addition to rental as for one person at the respective rates herein set forth) of £1 per annum for each additional name to be inserted in the Telephone Directory.
15. When any existing line is extended, and such extension does not increase the total radial mileage of the line beyond that for which rent is being paid at the time, the subscriber requiring the extension to be made shall pay the cost of the same. He shall also pay the prescribed annual rental for such extra instruments (if any) as may be required on the extension.
When the extension of an existing telephone line does increase the total radial mileage of such line beyond that for which rent is being paid at the time, the cost of making such extension shall be borne by the Postmaster-General, but the subscriber shall pay the prescribed annual rental for the mileage of the line as extended, and also for such extra instruments (if any) as may be required on the extension.
16 The annual rental charge for extra apparatus shall be—
Trembling-bell, 3 in., with battery—including two-way switch ...............................
0
10
0
,, ,, 5 in.,, ,, ,, ,, ,,
0
15
0
Special appliances as per agreement.
17. Charitable institutions supported wholly or partly by public subscriptions shall be charged half the ordinary business rates.
18. No subscriber shall be allowed to use any line joining two exchanges for more than five minutes at one time in the case of the city or suburban telephone exchanges, or ten minutes in the case of a country exchange. Any person exceeding this limit may be disconnected if there be other applicants waiting to use the line. Subscribers shall be connected, as far as possible, in order of application.
19 (a) Persons who are not subscribers to a telephone exchange may, with the concurrence of a subscriber, be granted a licence by the Deputy Postmaster-General to use such subscriber’s telephone.
(b) The subscriber whose telephone is used by any such person (hereinafter termed a licensee) shall pay in advance a fee of £2 per annum to the Deputy Postmaster-General for every such licence. Payments must be so arranged that renewal fees will fall due on the 1st January in each year.
(c) The licensee’s name shall appear in the Telephone Directory opposite the number of the subscriber whose telephone he uses.
(d) The subscriber and licensee must make their own arrangements as to calling a licensee when wanted, and as to the conditions under which the licensee may enter the subscriber’s premises for the purpose of using the telephone.
(e) The number of licences in connexion with any one subscriber’s telephone shall be limited to two, except in cases where a larger number have been licensed prior to the publication of these regulations.
(f) The application for a licence must be forwarded to the Deputy Postmaster-General by the subscriber whose telephone it is desired to use, and all notices of discontinuance must be forwarded in the same manner.
(g) The Deputy Postmaster-General shall have absolute power to refuse to grant a licence and to cancel a licence so granted at any time.
(h) The granting of a licence shall in no way bind the Postmaster-General to guarantee to the licensee the use of the subscriber’s telephone referred to in such licence, and no responsibility will be accepted by the Postmaster-General in respect thereto.
In cases where lines have been constructed, prior to the publication of these regulations, under what is termed the “purchase system”, the lines, as well as the instruments, &c., connected therewith shall remain the property of the persons who paid for same; they shall be subject to the maintenance fees hitherto charged, so long as the owners of such lines remain in their present premises; but
(a) Should an owner desire any additions or alterations to the line within such premises, he shall be required to pay the actual cost of such additions or alterations, but no addition or alteration shall be made unless he give an undertaking, in writing, to surrender his line when called upon to do so, at a valuation made by an officer of the Department on the basis of its then present value.
(b) Should an owner remove from such premises service shall only be given at the new address under “rental” conditions, and the old line and apparatus may be taken over at a valuation to be made by an officer of the Department.
These lines shall otherwise be subject to the same regulations as rented lines.
Maintenance fees must be paid yearly, in advance, dating from the 1st January in each year.
20. A telephone line connecting any two offices of the Department, at neither of which a telephone exchange has been opened, may be used for conversations by the general public, subject to the following conditions, and on payment of the fees set forth hereunder, provided that such use by the public shall not interfere with the ordinary work of the Department :—
(1) When it is not necessary to send a messenger for the person to be spoken to, the fee payable by the person initiating the conversation shall be the same as is specified for conversations on telephone trunk lines.
(2) When it is necessary to send a messenger for the person to be spoken to, the following charges shall be made in addition to the charge specified in the last preceding clause :—
(a)* For a messenger sent to call to the telephone any person who resides within the usual radius of free delivery of telegrams, 6d.
(b)* For a messenger sent to call to the telephone any person who resides beyond the radius of free delivery of telegrams, in addition to the fee of 6d., the usual porterage fees charged for the delivery of telegrams shall be made.
PUBLIC TELEPHONE BUREAUX.—CALL OFFICE FEE.
The call office fee shall be uniformly 3d. for a conversation of three minutes, or part of three minutes, whether the call be made by subscribers or non-subscribers.
TELEPHONE TRUNK LINES.—RATES.
Where telephone trunk lines connect two towns such lines may be used for conversations on payment of the fees prescribed hereunder :—
* At offices where messengers are not provided by the Department the services specified in sub-sections (a) and (b) of clause 2 of this regulation cannot be performed.
PRIVATE TELEPHONE LINES BETWEEN HOUSES, OFFICES, &c.
Private telephone lines (special single wire and instruments not connected with any exchange) may be provided and maintained between private houses, offices, warehouses, mines, factories, or other places on payment of the following rates annually in advance for a term of not less than three years, and subject to the same general conditions as lines to the Telephone Exchanges :—
If within a radius of 20 miles of the capital or other large centre—
1. Any person wishing to erect a private telephone line passing beyond the boundary of his own land must submit a plan and specification showing the route to be followed, especially marking where roads are to be crossed or entered upon, and describing the nature and dimensions of the materials to be used in the construction of the line, and any other particulars which may be required, upon receipt of which the Deputy Postmaster-General may direct an officer of the department to examine such plan and specification, and, if necessary, make an inspection of the route, the cost of such examination and inspection to be borne by the person wishing to erect the line; and should the report of such officer disclose that the line will not in any way interfere with or endanger any other line of telegraph, whether belonging to the Postmaster-General, the railway authorities, or any private person, and that the material and method of erection described in the specification are satisfactory, the Postmaster-General, may, upon payment of the necessary fees, grant permission to erect such line : Provided, however, that such permission shall in no case be granted where a line is to run from a point in the vicinity of a telegraph office to another point in a like vicinity, or in the event of the route of such proposed line being along any public road, railway, or track ; or over or across any private land other than land belonging to the person desirous of erecting such private line, unless and until the necessary permission of the local authority or the owners of such private land (as the case may be) shall have been obtained, and satisfactory evidence to that effect shall have been forwarded to the Deputy Postmaster-General.
2. If the line crosses a road, track, or other public place, the height of the wire above the highest portion of the road, track, &c., shall not be less than 18 feet, and the poles carrying the wire at such places shall be of a substantial character and be strutted or stayed, if necessary, to stand the strain of the wire.
3. All fittings upon such poles, such as brackets, pins, insulators, wire, &c., shall be of approved material and make.
4. The person to whom such permission has been granted, shall, upon the completion of the line, inform the Deputy Postmaster-General thereof, and an officer of the Department may then be sent to inspect the line and report whether the work has been satisfactorily carried out. The cost of such inspection shall be borne by the person to whom permission to erect the line has been given. If the work be not to the satisfaction of the inspecting officer, he shall issue instructions as to what is required, and on the defects being made good a licence to use the line may be issued.
5. Should the person to whom permission has been granted to erect the line fail to make good the defects pointed out, the Deputy Postmaster-General may take such steps as he may deem necessary to remove the portions objected to, and a licence to use the line shall not be issued until the requirements of the Deputy Postmaster-General have been satisfactorily complied with.
6. On the completion of the line to the satisfaction of the Deputy Postmaster-General a licence to use it shall be issued. A licence-fee of £1 per annum, payable in advance, shall be charged, irrespective of the length of the line. This fee covers the use of one line only. If the line be extended so as to connect additional stations, a further fee of £1 per annum for each additional line shall be charged; and, in the case of a line joining two pastoral holdings, a separate licence-fee shall be charged for each holding occupied by a different lessee, irrespective of the length of the line, and such fee must be paid in advance.
7. Where such a line is erected partly on existing poles the property of the Postmaster-General a sum of £2 per annum per mile, payable in advance, shall be charged for the portion erected on such poles, in addition to the licence-fee mentioned. The wire on such poles shall be erected and maintained by the Postmaster-General, and the licensee shall be required to pay the prescribed fees, in advance, for a period of five years from the completion of that portion, and thereafter annually in advance.
8. If such line connect with a telegraph office, the following shall be the charges payable in respect thereof :—
For every telephone communicating with any telegraph office a fee of £1 per annum shall be payable in advance. A further charge of £1 per annum shall be payable in advance for the maintenance of the telephone in use at the telegraph office, which will be supplied by the Postmaster-General. The telephone for the use of the licensee may be either provided by him or purchased from the Postmaster-General, but must be maintained by the licensee to the satisfaction of the Postmaster-General.
9. Every message passing in either direction over any private line connected with any telegraph office, shall be considered as a telegram, and charged for at the following rates :—
(a) For every message intended for transmission over the wires of the Postmaster-General in the usual way, the ordinary telegraphic charges shall be made.
(b) For every message intended for delivery within a radius of one mile from the telegraph office in which the telephone is fixed, 6d.
(c) For every message handed in at the office in which the telephone is fixed for transmission over the telephone wire to the licensee’s office a charge of 6d, shall be made.
(d) The licensee shall deposit with the officer in charge of the telegraph office with which the line is connected a sum calculated to meet the cost of all communications passing over the line for a period of one month, such deposit to be renewed monthly, or more frequently if necessary, and the licensee must accept the statement of such officer as to the charges.
10. If the licensee of a line connected with any telegraph office desires to call any person to speak to him on such line, the following charges shall be made :—
For a messenger sent to call any person residing within the usual radius of free delivery of telegrams to the telegraph office, 6d.
To call persons from beyond the radius of free delivery of telegrams the usual porterage charges in addition to the above-mentioned charge of 6d. shall be made.
If any person desires to speak from any telegraph office to the licensee of a line connected with such office he may do so upon payment of a sum of 6d. for each conversation : Provided that the telephone is so placed in the Post and Telegraph Office as not to require access to portions of the premises which by regulations are not open to the public except as above specified. Any attempt to use licensed lines for other than the business of the licensee may be met with by a withdrawal of the licence to use such line and the forfeiture of any payments made.
11. The Deputy Postmaster-General may direct an official inspection of private telephone lines to be made periodically, and the officer making such inspection may direct the licensee to make such alterations or repairs as may to him appear necessary, and the licensee shall immediately carry out the same. In the event of his failing to do so within a reasonable time, the officer shall report to that effect, and the licence to use such line may be cancelled.
12. The licensee shall be wholly responsible for the repair and maintenance of the line (except as regards the portion of it erected on poles the property of the Postmaster-General, and therefore maintained by the Postmaster-General) to the satisfaction of the Deputy Postmaster-General, and he shall undertake to maintain the same in a thoroughly efficient manner at his own cost, and any alterations, repairs, or other works which the Deputy Postmaster-General may, in the interest of the public safety or convenience, order to be done, shall be charged to the licensee, and may be recovered by the ordinary process of the law.
13. The licensee of a private line shall be responsible for any injury to life, limb, or property caused by the poles, wire, or other parts of such line (except, however, such portion of the line as may be erected on poles the property of the Postmaster-General, or which is maintained by the Postmaster-General).
14. When a private line does not connect with a telegraph office the licensee shall undertake that it shall be used for his own private purposes only, or by those authorized by him, with the approval of the Deputy Postmaster-General, to connect by telephone en route, and in no case shall he charge or accept a fee for the use of the line or for the transmission of any communication over the same; and in the event of it being proved that he has done so at any time, the licence issued in respect of such line may be cancelled.
15. In the event of a licensee’s line being found to interfere in any way with the erection of any lines by the Postmaster-General or the railway authorities, the Deputy Postmaster-General may direct the licensee’s line to be altered, removed, re-erected in another position, or otherwise dealt with as may be deemed necessary.
16. The Deputy Postmaster-General may authorize the use, by any Government official on public business, of any private telephone line erected after the publication of these regulations.
If the owner or licensee of any such private telephone line refuses to allow any such official, authorized a aforesaid, to use such line, the licence issued in respect thereof may be cancelled.
PUBLIC TELEGRAPH (OR TELEPHONE) LINES ERECTED UNDER GUARANTEE.
In cases where the estimated probable telegraph (or telephone) revenue is not sufficient to justify the erection of a telegraph (or telephone) line for public use without guarantee, the Postmaster-General may authorize the construction of such line, provided the persons desiring its erection deposit with the Postmaster-General a sum equal to two-thirds of the cost of constructing the line and supplying instruments, plus the cost of operating same for a period of five years, and subject to the following conditions, viz.:—
1. The amount so deposited to be placed to the credit of the Postmaster General, in a Government Savings Bank, and the Postmaster-General to have power to withdraw at the end of each complete year a sum equal to the difference between (a) the telegraph (or telephone) revenue derived from such line during that year, and (b) one-fifth of two-thirds of the cost of constructing the line plus the total cost of operating for such year.
2. At the expiration of the term of five years the amount of the deposit, with interest allowed thereon by the Government Savings Bank authorities, less any sum or sums deducted as above, to be returned to the guarantors.
___________________________________________
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Robt. S. Brain,