STATUTORY RULES.

1927. No. 144.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE POST AND TELEGRAPH ACT 1901-1923.

I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1923, to come into operation on and from the thirty-first day of December, One thousand nine hundred and twenty-seven.

Dated this 14th day of December, 1927.

Stonehaven

Governor-General.

By his Excellency’s Command,

W. G. Gibson

Postmaster-General.

POSTAL REGULATIONS.

PART I.—PRELIMINARY.

Short title.

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Postal Regulations.

Parts.

2. These Regulations are divided into Parts, as follows:—

Definitions.

3. In these Regulations, unless the contrary intention appears—

“The Act” means the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1923, as amended from time to time.

“The Rates Act” means the Post and Telegraph Rates Act 1902-1924, as amended from time to time.

1553.—Price

PART II.—FIRST CLASS MAIL MATTER.

What constitutes first class mail matter.

4. First Class Mail Matter shall consist of letters, letter-cards, and post-cards.

Letters.

5. Any article of convenient shape and size which is eligible for transmission through the post may be accepted for transmission as a letter.

Certain articles transmitted only as letters.

6. Except as is expressly permitted under the conditions relating to the several classes of mail matter, any postal article which bears or contains any communication having the nature of actual or personal correspondence or which is closed against inspection shall be transmitted by post only as a letter.

Post cards.

7. (1) A postcard to be eligible for transmission at the rate prescribed for postcards shall comply with the following conditions:—

(a) It shall be posted without envelope or wrapper;

(b) The name and address of the addressee shall appear on the front

(c) Only the back and the left half of the front shall be used for actual or personal correspondence, and nothing beyond the name and address of the addressee shall appear on the right half of the front;

(d) Any attachment shall consist of paper or other very thin substance and adhere completely to the card and shall not be of such a nature as to alter the character of the postcards. Stamps (other than those in prepayment of postage) liable to be mistaken for postage stamps may be affixed only to the back;

(e) Nothing in the nature of samples of merchandise or similar articles shall be affixed or attached;

(f) It shall be made of cardboard or paper stout enough to be easily handled in the post;

(g) Its dimensions shall be not less than 4 inches long and 2¾ inches wide, and not more than 5½ inches long and 3½ inches wide; and

(h) A reply postcard shall not be closed up in any manner whatsoever.

(2) A postcard not fulfilling the prescribed conditions shall be treated as a letter.

Certain post cards to be enclosed.

8. Cards of the varieties known as “tinseled’’ and “beaded” and cards with “pearling” decorations shall not be transmissible through the post unless enclosed in envelopes.

PART III.—SECOND CLASS MAIL MATTER.

What constitutes second class mail matter

9. Second class Mail Matter shall consist of commercial papers; printed papers; patterns, samples and merchandise; books, and catalogues.

Articles closed against inspection, transmission.

10. (1) An article having the character of actual or personal correspondence or bearing or containing anything of such character, or which, is closed against inspection (except as is expressly permitted

under the conditions relating to the several classes of mail matter), shall not be eligible for transmission as Second-class Mail Matter; and any article which is posted contrary to the provisions of this regulation shall be treated as an insufficiently prepaid letter.

(2) If, on receiving an article which has been surcharged as an insufficiently prepaid letter owing to its being closed, against inspection, the addressee opens it in the presence of the postmaster and it is found to contain nothing of the nature of actual or personal correspondence, the surcharge imposed on account of its being closed against inspection may be remitted.

Packages prepaid as letters are to be especially marked

11. The sender of an unregistered postal article in respect of which postage at letter rate is paid shall, if the article is made up in such a manner that it might be mistaken for an article of the second class, endorse the article on the address side with the words “Letter Post” and mark it by drawing lines across the front and back, in colour other than red, in the following manner:—

On the front—

On the back—

Limits of weight and dimensions.

12. The maximum weight of postal articles for transmission at the rates prescribed for commercial papers, printed papers, books, or catalogues shall be 5 lb.; and for patterns, samples, and merchandise, 1 lb. Such articles shall not exceed 2 feet in length, or 1 foot in depth or breadth, or, if in a roll, 2 ft. 6 in. in length, and 4 inches in diameter, or be of inconvenient form.

Enclosures liable to different rates of postage.

13. An article containing enclosures liable to different rates of postage shall be treated as if the whole contents were in the same category as the portion to which the highest rate is applicable, and if the postage has not been fully prepaid at the rate prescribed for such portion, the article shall be surcharged at such rate.

Articles not transmissible as second class mail matter

14. The following articles shall not be accepted for transmission as Second-class Matter, viz., cheques, money orders and postal notes (except in bankers’ packets), unobliterated adhesive postage stamps (except when affixed to an enclosed postcard or envelope), coin, banknotes (other than cancelled notes, bank-note forms, and such notes as are specifically allowed to be sent as commercial papers), bullion, gold, and perishable substances, such, as game, fish, flesh, fruit, and vegetables; notices or information relating to lotteries, schemes of chance (not including art unions), unlawful games, fraudulent, obscene, indecent, or immoral businesses or undertakings, and other matters coming within the provisions of section 57 of the Act;

Commercial papers.

15. Articles eligible for transmission at the rate of postage prescribed for Commercial Papers shall consist of commercial or business papers and such like documents which are of a formal character, but which are not eligible for transmission at Printed Papers rate of postage and are not of the character of actual or personal correspondence.

Printed papers

16. An article to be eligible for transmission at the rate of postage prescribed for Printed Papers shall be wholly printed, and shall not bear any additions in writing or by other means except the name, business or occupation, and address of the sender and bona fide corrections of printers’ errors, provided that in the case of circulars the addition of the name, business or occupation of the sender shall be permitted only on the cover of the article. Except in the case of circulars, printed papers shall not be in the form of actual or personal correspondence.

Patterns, samples, and merchandise.

17. Articles to be eligible for transmission at the rate of postage prescribed for Patterns, Samples, and Merchandise shall be prepared for posting in the manner stipulated in the conditions governing the transmission of Second-class Mail Matter, and shall not bear or contain any communication of the character of actual or personal correspondence.

Books.

18. A publication which is not in book form nor of the character specified in the conditions governing the transmission of books, or is published for the purpose of advertisement, shall not be eligible for transmission as a book.

What constitutes book form.

19. In order to be in book form a publication shall consist of printed or printed and illustrated pages fastened together by stitching or stapling, and bound in covers of paper, cardboard, cloth, leather, or other material.

Advertisements in books.

20. A book may contain on the cover or on pages of the book advertisements relating to the book itself or to books written by the same author or published by the same publisher. In addition, other advertisements may appear on the permanent cover, but not on any of the pages of the book.

Books on which special rate of postage applicable.

21. The rate of postage for books printed in Australia shall not apply to a book not written by an Australian author nor registered by the Postmaster-General for transmission through the post as a book: Provided that the condition as to registration shall not apply to a book printed prior to 1st July, 1922.

Catalogues.

22. A catalogue is a publication containing printed or printed and illustrated lists of articles for sale, with or without prices, and letterpress concerning the articles mentioned in the publication, the business of the firm issuing the catalogue, and information relating to matters such as shopping, by post and the sending of remittances.

Catalogues to bear imprint.

23. A catalogue to be eligible for transmission under the conditions applicable to Catalogues shall bear an imprint showing that it has been wholly set up and printed in Australia and the name and address of the printer, and the cover or wrapper in which it is enclosed shall be endorsed “Catalogue, wholly set up and printed in Australia.”

PART IV.—THIRD CLASS MAIL MATTER.

What constitutes third class mail matter.

24. Third class Mail Matter shall consist of newspapers registered by the Postmaster-General for transmission as such, and magazines.

Newspapers &c., not to bear any communications

25. Newspapers and magazines shall not bear or contain any communication of the character of actual or personal correspondence nor bear any addition by hand or otherwise which is not expressly permitted under the conditions governing the transmission of Third-class Mail Matter.

Evidence of compliance with Rates Act may be required.

26. Persons who post registered newspapers at the rate of postage provided for aggregate weight may be called upon to satisfy the Department that the conditions prescribed by the Rates Act to secure that rate are complied with. For this purpose they may be required to produce, without notice, any documentary evidence which the postmaster or other departmental officer considers necessary.

Supplements to newspapers.

27. A supplement to a newspaper shall not exceed in size or weight the newspaper with which it is issued.

Registration of newspapers.

28. (1) The proprietor, printer, or publisher of any newspaper, as defined by section 28 of the Act, may have it registered at the General Post Office of any State, subject to the conditions set out in this regulation.

(2) The application for registration shall be made in writing, and shall contain a description of the newspaper to be registered, and show at what intervals the newspaper is published.

(3) Three copies of the latest issue of the newspaper and one copy of each of the two last preceding issues shall be forwarded with the application, together with a fee of Five shillings.

(4) The following statutory declarations shall be forwarded with the application:—

(a) A statutory declaration by the applicant declaring—

(i) that the publication is printed and published within the Commonwealth for sale, and not for free distribution to any great extent;

(ii) that at least 75 per centum of the copies issued are sold to bona fide purchasers or to bona fide subscribers who have ordered the paper; and

(iii) whether or not any previous application has been made for registration of the publication under the same or any other title; and

(b) Two statutory declarations by independent persons the trade (such as publishers or newsagents) who are not in any way interested in the proprietorship or printing of, and are not subscribers to, the publication, declaring—

(i) that the declarant personally knows and recognizes the publication as a newspaper in the generally accepted sense;

(ii) that to the best of his knowledge and belief the publication is known and recognized by purchasers thereof as a newspaper in the generally accepted sense;

(iii) that, the publication is not, to the best of his knowledge and belief, recognized as a magazine, review, or other similar publication; and

(iv) that he is neither the proprietor nor the printer of, nor a subscriber to, the said publication, and is not in any way interested in the proprietorship or printing thereof.

Information as to copies sold, &c., to be supplied.

29. The deputy Postmaster-General of any State may, when revising the register, as provided by section 20 of the Act, call upon the proprietor, printer, or publisher of any newspaper appearing, therein to furnish evidence by statutory declaration as to the total percentage of copies issued which are sold, to bona fide purchasers or to bona fide subscribers who have ordered the paper, and any other particulars which are, in his opinion, necessary to enable him to determine whether the newspaper should be removed from the register or not.

Notice of registration to be printed on first page.

30. The publisher of a registered newspaper 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.”

Alternation to be notified.

31. The publisher, printer, or proprietor of a registered newspaper shall notify the Deputy Postmaster-General of any proposed change in the form, title, frequency of issue, or proprietorship of such newspaper, and a copy of the first issue of the newspaper under the changed form, title, frequency of issue; or proprietorship, shall be immediately furnished to the Deputy Postmaster-General.

Bulk postings of newspapers with addresses elsewhere on wrappers.

32. Bulk postings of newspapers, the addresses of which appear elsewhere than on the wrappers, shall be accepted only if the wrappers are of brown paper and the newspapers are arranged in such order as maybe previously specified by the Department.

Permissible endorsements on newspapers.

33. (1) No communications, figures, letters, or marks of any kind which are not part of the newspaper itself, or of the address, shall be permitted on a newspaper or the wrapper except the following, which shall be placed in a position where they will not be likely to impede treatment of the article by postal officials:—

On the newspaper.

Marks or signs (but not words) intended only to call attention to any portion or portions of the content;

On the wrapper.

The words “Newspaper only”;

The title, frequency of publication and price of the newspaper, and a reference to its registration for transmission by post as a newspaper;

The names, occupations, and places of business of the printer, publisher, and vendor;

The name of the sender preceded by the word “From”;

Rates of postage;

and in the case only of newspapers posted by the proprietors thereof, or issued from the publishing office, the following:—

The words “If not delivered, please return to Head Office,…………” (address of publishing office);

Figures indicating the date on which the subscription will expire, such as “31.12.27.”;

Figures indicating the number of papers in the package to be transmitted.

(2) When posted without a wrapper no endorsement in addition to the address is permitted on the outside of the newspaper, except the words “Newspaper only” and the name of the sender preceded by the word “From”.

PART V.—PACKING.

Packing of postal article.

34. To be eligible for transmission by post, an article shall be packed in such manner as the Postmaster considers necessary to prevent—

(a) damage to the article arising from the handling and pressure it may receive, and from climatic and other conditions to which it may be subjected, in the course of transmission; and

(b) injury to any person; and

(c) damage to other postal articles.

Compensation payable by sender in certain event.

35. The sender of a postal article which contains a liquid or a semi-liquid substance, or any substance likely to damage other postal articles while in transit through the post, shall, in the event of the liquid or substance escaping and damaging other postal articles, be liable to pay to the Postmaster-General such reasonable compensation as he requires.

Irregular posting of bacteriological or pathological specimens—Penalty.

36. Any person who sends by post, bacteriological or pathological specimens otherwise than in accordance with the conditions governing the transmission of these articles shall be guilty of an offence. Penalty: Fifty pounds.

Bees, separate bags for boxes containing.

37. On payment of a fee of Sixpence for each box, in addition to postage, the sender may have boxes containing bees for delivery within the Commonwealth placed in separate mail bags containing no postal articles other than the bees. In cases where such special treatment is required the box shall be endorsed “Separate bag”.

PART VI.—POSTAGE.

Certain stamps not valid.

38. Impressed stamps cut from stamped envelopes, letter-cards, postcards, or wrappers, or duty stamps, mutilated postage stamps, postage-due stamps, or the postage stamps of any country other than the Commonwealth, shall not be accepted as valid for the prepayment, or part prepayment, of postage.

Newspaper wrapper.

39. The stamped wrappers (bearing the words “Newspaper only”) sold by the Department may not be used for the wrapping of articles other than newspapers registered in the Commonwealth for transmission at the rate of postage prescribed for newspapers, and any article other than a newspaper so registered posted in any such wrapper shall, whether the words “Newspaper only” have been obliterated or not, be treated as an article upon which the postage is wholly unpaid.

Postage stamps—position in which to be affixed.

40. Postage stamps shall, except in the case of parcels and articles with tie-on labels, be placed on the front or address side of the postal articles and in the right-hand upper corner of that side.

Postage not payable in cash except in certain cases.

41. Except as hereinafter provided, a postal official shall not take cash in prepayment of postage when postage stamps are available, or affix postage stamps to any article posted at any post office:

Provided that if a postmaster has not sufficient stamps on hand he may receive the amount of postage and fees in cash, in which case he shall acknowledge its receipt by endorsement on the address side of the article.

Prepayment in cash.

42.—(1) The postage on large quantities of registered or unregistered articles (other than parcels) for transmission within the Commonwealth, or to the United Kingdom, New Zealand, or Fiji, may be prepaid in cash.

(2) The amount of postage and registration fee (if any) on such postal articles posted at one time shall not be less than One pound.

(3) The articles shall be posted at a General Post Office or at any office at which the acceptance of postal articles under this regulation is permitted.

(4) Postmasters, other than those at the offices referred to in the last preceding sub-regulation, shall not receive cash in prepayment of postage under this regulation unless the authority of the Deputy Postmaster-General has first been obtained.

(5) The postal articles shall be handed in at the post office between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., but if handed in after 3 p.m. they shall be subject to detention if their despatch interferes with the despatch of other postal matter.

(6) Articles of the same weight shall be tied in bundles of ten or any multiple thereof up to 100 with the addresses in the same direction; but this requirement may be waived in cases where the article are posted arranged in groups to facilitate sorting or despatch by mail.

(7) This regulation shall not apply to—

(a) registered newspapers posted by proprietors or publishers thereof or newsvendors, who may post such newspapers at hours other than those prescribed, and may post at one time a quantity of newspapers on which the amount of postage payable is less than One pound;

(b) mail matter posted by authorized users of franking machines under the regulations relating to franking machines.

(8) Sub-regulation (2) of this regulation shall not apply to any Commonwealth or State Government Department which posts on an average postal articles bearing postage to the total amount of not less than One pound per day.

Franking machines

43. In regulations 43 to 60 (both inclusive) of these Regulations, unless the contrary intention appears—

“Franking machine” means a machine for making impressions indicating the value of the postage prepaid on postal articles or for postmarking postal articles;

“Meter” means a meter which is or may be attached to or connected with a franking machine for the purpose of registering the number of impressions made by the machine, or the value of the postage represented by impressions made by the machine;

“Person” includes a firm and company;

“User” means a person to whom a licence is granted under these Regulations to use a franking machine;

“Authorized officer” means an officer of the Postmaster-General’s Department authorized by the Postmaster-General.

Postmaster-General may authorize selling or letting on hire.

44. Subject to the provisions of these Regulations, the Postmaster-General may authorize any person to sell, let on hire, or use a franking machine.

Types to be approved.

45. The franking machines which may be used in pursuance of Regulations—

(a) shall be of such types as the Postmaster-General approves in writing; and

(b) shall have attached to or connected with them meters for the purpose of registering the number of impressions made by the machines, or the value of the postage represented by impressions made by the machine.

Application for approval to type.

46. (1) Application for the approval of the Postmaster-General to any type of franking machine shall be made in writing.

(2) The applicant shall—

(a) submit for inspection by the Postmaster-General the franking machine in respect of which approval is sought; and

(b) give an undertaking in the form required by the Postmaster-General that he will only sell or let on hire franking machines of the type approved by the Post master-General, and that he will sell or let on hire such machines only in accordance with these Regulations and the conditions set out in the undertaking; and

(c) give security by bond with two sureties, or alternatively with on approved guarantee company as surety, to the satisfaction of the Postmaster-General, in regard to the faithful observance of the provisions of these Regulations and the terms of the undertaking referred to in the last preceding paragraph.

Application to sell or let on hire

47. Application for the authority of the Postmaster-General to sell or let on hire any franking machines shall be made in writing and shall—

(a) state the name, address, and occupation of the person to whom it is proposed to sell or hire the machine; and

(b) contain a description of the meters and dies to be used in connexion with the machine.

Dies.

48. Any die, which may be used in franking machines for making impressions indicating the value of the postage prepaid on postal articles or for postmarking postal articles, shall be of a design approved by the Postmaster-General and shall include in its design such identification number or markings as may be required by the Postmaster-General.

Meters to be set before delivery

49. No person shall deliver to a user or an agent of the user any franking machine or meter unless and until an authorized officer has set the meter, if it is non-detachable, at zero or, if it is detachable, at a figure representing the amount prepaid by the user and has sealed the machine or meter.

Impressions to be paid for before meter set.

50. No meter shall be set for the purpose of registering the number or value of impressions made by a franking machine unless and until the user has paid to the Postmaster-General the amount representing the number of impressions for which it is to be set, or when permitted so to do by the Postmaster-General has lodged with, the Postmaster-General a specified amount in prepayment of postage.

Withdrawal of machine for repair.

51. (1) No person to whom a franking machine or meter is delivered by the user for the purpose of repair or any other purpose shall accept it unless and until the meter has been read by an authorized officer.

(2) The person to whom a franking machine or meter is delivered by the user shall not return it to the user unless and until the Postmaster-General so authorizes.

(3) Sub-regulations (1) and (2) of this regulation shall not apply to an authorized officer to whom the meter is delivered for the purpose of resetting and resealing.

Application for authority to use.

52. (1) An application for authority to use a franking machine and meters shall be made in writing, and shall contain a description of the dies and meters required in connexion with the use of the machine.

(2) Upon an application under this regulation being accepted the applicant shall give security by bond with two sureties or alternatively with an approved guarantee company as surety to the satisfaction of the Postmaster-General, that he will make good to the Postmaster-General any loss to the revenue of the Commonwealth arising from the improper use of any franking machine or meter used by him or the failure of any such machine or meter to properly record the number or value of impressions made by the machine.

Licence to use.

53. (1) Where the Postmaster-General accepts an application for authority to use a franking machine and meters, he may, upon security being given by the applicant in accordance with the last preceding regulation, grant to the applicant a licence to use the machine subject to these Regulations and to such conditions as the Postmaster-General thinks fit.

(2) A licence granted under this regulation may be signed by the Postmaster-General or by an officer authorized by the Postmaster-General to sign such licences on his behalf.

Revocation of licence.

54. (1) The Postmaster-General may—

(a) forthwith revoke any licence if—

(i) the licensee commits any breach of these Regulations or of the conditions of the licence;

(ii) the franking machine in respect of which the licence is granted proves to be mechanically unsatisfactory; or

(iii) the franking machine is improperly used.

(2) The Postmaster-General may determine the licence, after giving the licensee fourteen days’ notice of his intention to do so, if, in the opinion of the Postmaster-General, any alteration of the conditions governing the use of franking machines or any other circumstance renders the determination necessary.

Refunds

55. The Postmaster-General or an officer authorized in that behalf may, upon application in writing by the user, make a refund of the amount representing impressions made in error by any franking machine (less a deduction of five per centum of the face value of the impression), upon the surrender of the envelopes, covers, wrappers, or labels on which the impressions are made, provided the impressions are legible and the entire envelopes, covers, wrappers, or labels are produced and surrendered within three months after the date of impressing.

Franking machine impressions to indicate postage and postmark.

56. Subject to these Regulations a franking machine may be used for making impressions indicating the value of the postage prepaid on all postal articles (except parcels) posted in the Commonwealth for delivery within or beyond the Commonwealth and for postmarking postal articles upon which the value of the postage is impressed by the machine.

Articles impressed by franking machine irregularly posted.

57. Any postal article impressed by a franking machine and posted in contravention of the conditions specified in the licence shall be deemed to be a postal article on which the postage is unpaid and shall be surcharged accordingly.

Penalty for breach of conditions of licence.

58. Any person who commits a breach of any condition of a licence granted under these Regulations shall be guilty of an offence. Penalty: Fifty pounds.

Penalty for breach of Regulations

59. Any person who commits any breach of regulation 40 or regulation 51 of these Regulations, or

(a) uses a franking machine to which a meter set and sealed by an authorized officer is not attached or connected; or

(b) uses a meter for registering the number or value of impressions made by a franking machine which is not set and sealed by an authorized officer—

shall be guilty of an offence. Penalty: Fifty pounds.

Notice

60. Any notice to the user under these Regulations or under any licence granted in pursuance of these Regulations shall be sufficiently given if notified to the user in a letter or writing left at or sent by post addressed to the address specified in the licence or the user’s last-known place of abode or usual place of abode or business.

Payment of postage by addressee.

61. (1) The Postmaster-General may, in such cases and upon compliance with such conditions as he thinks fit, allow payment of the postage payable on postal articles by the addressee instead of by the sender.

(2) A charge equal to 20 per cent of the amount of postage shall be paid by the addressee to cover the extra services of accounting and collection.

Electoral papers.

62. (1) Postal articles containing electoral papers may be sent by post free of charge from or to electoral or police officers if—

(a) they contain only electoral papers as defined in this regulation, and the words “Commonwealth Electoral Papers only, Post Free,” are printed or written on the envelope or wrapper, or upon the papers themselves if they are eligible for transmission without envelopes or wrappers:

Provided that such articles when posted by electoral or police officers to persons who are not electoral or police officers shall also bear the signature and address of the sender, which may be printed or written on the envelope or wrapper, or upon the papers themselves;, or

(b) they consist of ballot-papers sent in covers, bearing the following endorsements and address printed thereon, namely.—

“O. H. M. S.

Electoral Papers Only.

Post Free.

No.

Postal Ballot-paper.

Not to be opened until scrutiny.

The Returning Officer for the

Commonwealth Electoral

Division of

……………………….”

(2) This regulation shall apply only to the following electoral papers:—

(a) Electoral papers (including rolls) provided for by the Commonwealth Electoral Acts and Regulations thereunder.

(b) Commonwealth and joint forms (including rolls) provided for in any joint regulations made in pursuance of an arrangement entered into by the Commonwealth and any State for the preparation, alteration, and revision of electoral rolls: Provided that the forms (including rolls) are used wholly or partly for Commonwealth purposes.

(c) Referendum papers provided for by the Referendum- (Constitution Alteration) Act 1906-1926 or by regulations made thereunder.

(3) This regulation shall not be deemed to exempt from postage any of the following articles:—

(a) Joint and other forms not provided for in the Commonwealth Electoral Acts and Regulations; or in the joint, regulations, which are used in connexion with the Electoral Acts of the Commonwealth and those of a State or States; and.

(b) Forms (including rolls) provided for in the joint regulations which are used solely for State purposes.

(4) The privilege of free postage shall not apply to registers of voters, interleaved for correction, addressed to electoral registrars, or to packages of obsolete electoral material, such as obsolete forms and similar matter.

(5) The sender of articles which, under this Regulation, are entitled to transmission by post free of charge, shall pay the prescribed registration fee on all such articles when sent by registered post.

Braille and Moon articles

63. Braille and Moon postal articles posted in the Commonwealth for delivery therein may be sent by post free of charge if—

(a) they contain only Braille and Moon articles, or either of them, and are posted in envelopes or wrappers open at one end or side or otherwise made up so as to admit of the contents being easily withdrawn for examination; and

(b) the words “Braille (or Moon, or Braille and Moon) articles only,” together with the signature and address of the sender, are printed or written on the outside of the envelope or wrapper.

Late fee

64. (1) The late fee on all registered postal articles except parcels, posted in the Commonwealth for any destination, shall be One penny each. The late fee system does not apply to parcels.

(2) The late fee on all registered articles, for any destination, registered between one hour and half-an-hour prior to the time of closing ordinary mails, which close after 9 a.m. and before 6 p.m., shall be Twopence for each article.

Unpaid or insufficiently prepaid postal articles.

65. (1) If a Deputy Postmaster-General has reason to believe that any person posts wholly unpaid or insufficiently prepaid postal articles, he may give notice in writing calling upon that person to desist and advising him of the consequences of non-compliance with the notice.

(2) If a person who has received a notice in pursuance of the last preceding sub-regulation knowingly and without reasonable excuse posts any wholly unpaid or insufficiently prepaid postal article, he shall be guilty of an offence. Penalty: Five pounds.

(3) For the purposes of this Regulation—

(a) Wholly unpaid or unsufficiently prepaid postal articles mean a postal article in respect of which no postage or insufficient postage has been paid; and

(b) The person from whom the postal article purports to have come shall be deemed to be the sender of the article.

(4) Wholly unpaid postal articles, except newspapers, and postal articles bearing postage at a rate lower than that prescribed for the class to which they belong by reason of their nature or the nature of any enclosure or endorsement they contain or bear, posted in the Commonwealth for delivery therein or transmission to Papua, Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island, New Guinea (formerly German New Guinea), and Nauru, shall, except in the cases where the Postmaster-General has allowed payment of the postage payable to be made by the addressee instead of by the sender, or where there is an evident attempt to defraud, be surcharged double the deficiency and transmitted to the office of destination. Wholly unpaid newspapers shall be forwarded to the Dead Letter Office.

(5) The postage on all postal articles other than letters, letter-cards, and single postcards posted in Australia for places beyond the Commonwealth other than the places mentioned in sub-regulation (4) of this Regulation shall be fully prepaid. If the postage be not fully prepaid, the article shall be forwarded to the Dead Letter Office.

(6) The amount of the surcharge to be made on wholly unpaid or insufficiently prepaid letters, letter-cards, and single postcards transmitted to places beyond the Commonwealth shall be double the deficiency in postage, and such surcharge shall be indicated in francs and centimes calculated as follows:—

(a) In the case of articles addressed to places in the British Empire, New Hebrides, Banks and Torres Islands, 1d. ＝ 10 centimes; and

(b) In the case of articles addressed to other places beyond the Commonwealth, by application of such formula as is approved by the Postmaster-General.

(7) The amount to be collected on postal articles surcharged in French currency received from places beyond the Commonwealth shall be calculated as follows.—

(a) In the case of articles from places within the British Empire, New Hebrides, Banks and Torres Islands, at the rate of 10 centimes＝1d.; and

(b) In the case of articles from other places beyond the Commonwealth, by application of such formula as is approved by the Postmaster-General.

PART VII.—DELIVERY AND REDIRECTION OF MAIL MATTER AND TREATMENT OF UNDELIVERED MAIL MATTER.

Delivery of postal articles.

66. An unregistered postal article, other than a parcel, shall be delivered to the addressee or, in the absence of instructions in writing to the contrary; to any responsible member of the addressee’s household, or upon production of a power of attorney, to the person named therein, or to a person authorized in writing by the addressee to receive it:

Provided—

(a) that in the case of a postal article, delivered by postman, delivery shall be made by depositing the article in a suitable receptacle or letter-box provided at the address for the purpose;

(b) that a postal article addressed to a person at an institution, hotel, club, lodging-house, or any house at which lodgers are received, or to the care of a firm, company, or other body, shall be delivered to the manager or proprietor thereof or to his representative;

(c) that a postal article addressed to one person in care of another shall, in the absence of written instructions to the contrary from the addressee, be delivered to either of the persons named who calls for it or at the address of the person in whose care it is directed; or

(d) that in the case of a postal article addressed to a person, firm, company, institution, or other body renting a private box at a post office or directed to a private box, the depositing of the article in the private box shall be deemed delivery to the addressee.

Postal articles addressed to minors.

67. (1) Where directions in writing have been given to a postmaster by the parent or guardian of a minor having custody of the minor, the postmaster may deliver or cause to be delivered all postal articles addressed to the minor in accordance with the directions so given.

(2) In the absence of any such directions, postal articles addressed to minors shall be delivered in the same manner as other postal articles.

(3) Notwithstanding any directions having been received under this Regulation, the Postmaster-General may direct that postal articles addressed to a minor shall be delivered to such minor.

(4) In this Regulation “minor” means a person under the age of eighteen years.

Delivery at post office.

68. (1) The privilege of having correspondence delivered at a post office shall be restricted to—

(a) visitors and tourists;

(b) private box holders;

(c) persons who do not reside within the area of a delivery by postman; and

(d) others who, in the opinion of the postmaster, cannot for good and sufficient reasons conveniently receive the correspondence by postman or through a private box.

(2) The persons referred to in the last preceding sub-regulation other than private box holders or persons who reside beyond the limits of a delivery by postman shall not, except as provided in the next succeeding sub-regulation, be entitled for a longer period than six months to have correspondence delivered at a post office or addressed to a post office to be called for.

(3) Where an addressee has for a period of six months had his correspondence addressed to a post office to be called for he may, upon making application to that effect, have his correspondence redirected to one address for a further period of six months; but upon the expiration of such further period a further application for redirection shall not be granted; and the correspondence shall be deemed to be insufficiently addressed and shall be forwarded to the Dead Letter Office.

(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-regulations (2) and (3) of this regulation, in cases where any visitor or tourist satisfies the Deputy Postmaster-General as to his bona fides, the Deputy Postmaster-General may make such arrangements as will meet the necessities of the particular case.

Fictitious, &c., addresses not permissible.

69. Correspondence addressed to a post office to be called for shall bear the name of the addressee. The use of initials, figures, Christian names, fictitious or assumed names, or conventional marks of any kind instead of the name of the addressee is not permissible, and correspondence so addressed shall be deemed to be insufficiently addressed and shall be forwarded to the Dead Letter Office.

Postal articles addressed to deceased persons.

70. Postal articles addressed to deceased persons may, on production of the probate or letters of administration, be delivered to the executors or administrators of the deceased persons’ estate, but until such production the Deputy Postmaster-General may cause such postal articles to be delivered to some near relative of the deceased person:

Provided that registered postal articles addressed to a deceased person and in connexion with which the sender has paid the fee for an acknowledgment of receipt shall be returned to the sender.

Postal articles “In Dispute.”

71. (1) When any member of a firm or partnership or of a dissolved firm or partnership gives notice to the postmaster not to deliver to any person other than himself any postal article addressed to the firm or partnership the postmaster (unless he is satisfied as to who is entitled to delivery) may refuse to deliver all such postal articles until an agreement is arrived at between the persons interested as to delivery.

(2) In default, of any such agreement, the postmaster shall mark the postal articles “In Dispute”, and shall send them to the Dead Letter Office unless they bear requests for their return if not delivered within a certain time, in which case they shall, at the expiration of the time named on the postal article, be returned to the sender.

(3) A postal article shall not be sent to the Dead Letter Office in accordance with this regulation until the expiration of thirty days from the date of the receipt of the above-mentioned notice.

Postal articles addressed “The Householder.”

72. (1) Postal articles other than newspapers may be addressed “The Householder” or any similar address at any place where there is a delivery by postman.

(2) On arrival at the office of destination, one of such postal articles shall (so far as the number posted will permit) be delivered by postman at each house within the limits of delivery.

(3) Such postal articles shall be posted in bulk and all articles for the same towns shall be tied by the sender in separate bundle. The postage may, subject to regulation 42, be prepaid in cash.

Delivery of postal articles in transit.

73. In cases where sufficient reason is shown and where the concession can be granted without undue interference with the public business, postal articles in transit, when lying at a post office awaiting despatch, may be delivered at that office to the person, authorized to receive them upon personal or written application, if the delivering officer is satisfied as to the identity of the applicant.

Re-directions.

74. (1) A charge shall not be made for the redirection of prepaid postal articles (other than parcels) when redirected by a postal official, or by an agent of the addressee after delivery, if the postage originally paid would have been sufficient if the postal article had originally been addressed to its new destination, provided that, in the case of articles redirected by an agent of the addressee, the articles are reposted not later than the day (Sunday and public holidays not being counted) after being left at the original address, and do not appear to have been opened or tampered with.

(2) If the postage originally prepaid on the redirected article is not sufficient for its transmission from the place of origin to the new destination, the deficient postage shall be collected on delivery at the new destination.

(3) If the articles redirected by agents of addressees are not reposted within the prescribed period, or if it appears that such articles have been opened or tampered with, they shall be chargeable as freshly posted unpaid article.

Re-directed registered articles.

75. (1) Registered articles redirected by an agent of the addresses shall be handed in at the counter of a post office for re-registration and shall not be posted in a letter receiver.

(2) Additional postage or registration fee shall not be charged upon such articles 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 presented after that time they shall be treated as freshly posted, and fresh postage and registration fees shall be payable in respect of them.

(3) If any registered article 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 article (the word “registered” not having been erased, or having been erased in pencil only) it becomes liable on delivery to a surcharge of a single rate of postage and single registration fee.

Applications for re-direction

76. (1) An application for redirection shall be signed by the person to whom the correspondence is addressed, and shall state the places from which correspondence is expected:

Provided that an order from the head of a household shall be accepted for the redirection of the correspondence of all the members of such household unless separate instructions are given by other members.

(2) Unless renewed, redirection orders shall be acted on for a term of six months only.

Redirection not undertaken in certain cases.

77. Notwithstanding anything contained in these Regulations, the Postmaster-General will not undertake to intercept and redirect a postal article at any office other than that to which it is addressed, or to intercept and redirect a postal article addressed to the care of a private box holder, or of a private mail bag holder, or to an institution, hotel, club, lodging-house, or such like place, or to a residential flat, comprising one of a group, the correspondence for the occupants of which is delivered by postman into a common letter-box or to a common agent.

Inquiries

78. (1) Inquiries concerning the alleged non-delivery of any postal article may be undertaken provided:

(a) sufficient time has elapsed to enable the postal article to reach its destination in the ordinary course of post; and

(b) the person desiring the inquiry to be made furnishes reasonable evidence that the article was posted and has not yet been delivered.

(2) The person requesting that the inquiry be made shall enter the form provided for the purpose the particulars required in connexion with the article.

(3) Where the inquiry relates to a registered postal article or parcel addressed to or posted in a place beyond the Commonwealth, the person requesting that the inquiry be made shall affix to the form referred to in sub-regulation (2) of this regulation, a postage stamp in payment of a fee of 3d. If it is found that delay in delivery is attributable to the Department, the inquiry fee shall be refunded:

Provided that if the inquiry relate to a registered postal article or parcel upon which a fee has been paid for acknowledgment of delivery, an inquiry fee shall not be chargeable under this regulation.

Undelivered mail matter—treatment of.

79. First and Second-class Mail Matter with endorsements on the cover “If not delivered within (seven or more) days return to——(here the name and address of the person, or his private letter-box number, to whom or to which the article is to be returned should be stated)” shall, if undelivered at the expiration of the time specified in the endorsement, be returned by the postmaster at the office of destination to the sender.

Period of detention of undelivered mail matter.

80. (1) Except as provided in the last preceding regulation, postal articles posted without address or bearing illegible addresses and postal articles which the addressees refuse to receive owing to postage payable or other cause, shall be transmitted without delay to the Dead Letter Office for disposal.

(2) Undelivered postal articles, except parcels and the postal articles referred to in the last preceding regulation and the last preceding sub-regulation, shall—

(a) if posted within the Commonwealth for delivery therein be retained at the office of destination as follows: —

(i) if addressed to a fixed address other than a post office—eight days;

(ii) if addressed to a postal town without fixed particular or post office address—one month;

(iii) if addressed to a post office to be called for—one month; and

(iv) if addressed to a person on board ship—one month; and

(b) if received from a place outside the Commonwealth, be retained at the office of destination for two months.

(3) As soon as possible after the expiration of the prescribed period, undelivered postal articles other than newspapers and parcels and articles which bear a request for return to the sender within a specified period shall, if posted within the Commonwealth, be returned to the sender through the Dead Letter Office. If not posted within the Commonwealth, such postal articles shall be dealt with in accordance with the arrangements in force with the proper authorities in the country in which they were posted.

(4) Undelivered newspapers, wherever posted, shall not be returned to the senders, but shall be disposed of as prescribed by the Act:

Provided that newspapers which bear on the covers or wrappers in print the name of the publisher or vendor shall, if so required, be returned to the publisher or vendor on payment of postage at the prescribed rate.

Undelivered correspondence addressed care of consuls.

81. Postal articles addressed to the care of consuls and which are returned by them to the local post office shall be treated in the manner prescribed for undelivered correspondence and sent to the Dead Letter Office. Any charges which have been paid by consuls on such correspondence shall be refunded.

Express delivery.

82. (1) Delivery of postal articles in advance of the ordinary delivery may, upon payment of the prescribed fee, be obtained in accordance with the provisions of these Regulations. Such special delivery service shall be hereinafter referred to as “Express Delivery.”

(2) Post Offices from which express delivery is effected shall be hereinafter referred to as “Express Delivery Offices.”

(3) Express delivery of postal articles may be obtained—

(a) by messenger all the way;

(b) by messenger immediately upon arrival of the mail at the post office of destination—at the request of the sender;

(c) by messenger immediately upon arrival of the mail at the post office of destination—at the request of the addressee; or

(d) from travelling post office vans at railway stations.

Express delivery restricted to certain articles, &c.

83. Express delivery shall—

(a) be restricted to postal articles of the First and Second Classes not exceeding eight ounces in weight;

(b) be effected only from post offices at which telegraph messengers are employed and from travelling post office vans at railway stations where the trains to which such vans are attached are scheduled to stop;

(c) be limited to two miles from a General Post Office and one and one-half miles from a suburban or country post office;

(d) be made only during the hours the office is open to the public for transaction of telegraph business and messengers are on duty:

Provided that express delivery shall not be effected on Sundays or holidays; and

(c) be effected by messengers on foot or otherwise at the discretion of the Postmaster-General. If the sender or addressee desires a cab or other special conveyance to be used, the actual fare shall be paid in addition to the express delivery fee and postage.

Marking of express delivery articles.

84. A postal article the express delivery of which is desired by the sender shall be boldly and legibly marked on the address side by the sender with the words “Express Delivery,” or words indicating that express delivery is required.

Fee—Method of payment.

85. On a postal article the express delivery of which is desired by the sender, the express delivery fee and the postage shall be prepaid by means of postage stamps affixed to the article.

Express delivery by messenger all the way.

86. The fee for the service referred to in paragraph (a) of sub-regulation (3) of regulation 82, and the special conditions applicable to such service, shall be:—

Fee: For the first mile or part of a mile from the office of delivery to the address—4d. per article in addition to postage.

For each additional half-mile or part of a half-mile—2d. per article in addition to postage.

Conditions: the article shall be handed in at the counter of an express delivery office:

Provided that during such time as the office is closed, the article may be posted at the office in the ordinary manner, and any article so posted shall be delivered the following morning.

“Reply” service.

87. The sender of an express delivery article to be delivered by means of the service referred to in paragraph (a) of sub-regulation (3) of regulation 82 may arrange for the messenger to wait for and deliver a reply as directed. The fees payable for such additional service and the special conditions applicable thereto shall be as follow:—

Fee: If the reply is to be delivered to an address on the messenger’s homeward route—3d. in addition to postage.

If the reply is to be delivered to an address not on the messenger’s homeward route—the fee prescribed by the last preceding regulation.

Conditions:

(a) The sender shall endorse on the front of the cover of the article, in addition to the words “Express Delivery,” the words “Await Reply” in prominent characters, and affix to the article postage stamps in payment of the fee and postage on the reply, in addition to the fee and postage on the article itself;

(b) The messenger shall wait not longer than ten minutes for the reply; and

(c) The reply shall be delivered after the messenger has delivered all the express delivery articles entrusted to him when setting out from the express delivery office.

Postal article for express delivery may be handed to telegraph messenger.

88. The addressee of a telegram may hand to the delivering messenger a postal article for express delivery by means of the service referred to in paragraph (a) of sub-regulation (3) of regulation 82, but in such case the article shall be taken by the messenger to the post office to which he is attached, and the fee to be paid for express delivery shall be calculated as from the residence of the sender by way of the post office to the residence of the addressee.

Express delivery after transmission by post.

89. The fee for the service referred to in paragraph (b) of sub-regulation (3) of regulation 82 shall be 4d. per article in addition to postage.

Express delivery at request of addressee.

90. The fee payable for the service referred to in paragraph (c) of sub-regulation (3) of regulation 82, and the special conditions applicable to such service, shall be as follow:—

Fee: For each mile or part of a mile from the office of delivery to the address, 4d. for one article, and ½d. for each additional article delivered at the same time.

Conditions:

(a) The addressee shall make written application for the service to the officer in charge of the post office from which the addressee’s postal articles are ordinarily delivered, and such application shall reach the office at least one hour before the time of delivery by postman commences:

Provided that where a regular express delivery is required, one application to that effect shall be sufficient.

(b) The aggregate weight of the articles shall not exceed 4 lb.

(c) The express delivery fee on at least one article shall, except where a regular service is desired, be prepaid in postage stamps affixed to the application, and any additional fee shall be paid to the messenger on delivery. In the case of a regular service, all fees shall be paid to the messenger on delivery.

(d) If no postal articles for the address given are received, a messenger shall, except where a regular service has been applied for, be sent to inform the applicant to that effect, and the express fee shall be retained as payment for this service.

Express delivery from travelling post offices.

91. The fee for the service referred to in paragraph (d) of sub-regulation (3) of regulation 82 shall be 4d., in addition to postage

and late fee, and the special conditions applicable thereto shall be as follow:—

(a) The article shall be handed in at a travelling post office; and

(b) The sender shall arrange for the addressee or his agent to receive delivery of the article at the travelling post office van. If this be not done, the article shall be sent to the local post office, and delivery made in the usual, manner.

PART VIII.—PROHIBITED ARTICLES.

Articles prohibited from transmission.

92. Articles mentioned in the Act us being prohibited from transmission through the post, articles in “cut-out” envelopes, entirely transparent envelopes, or envelopes having a transparent panel which does not comply with the conditions laid down, or any postal article the importation, transmission or delivery of which is prohibited under the laws of the Commonwealth, or of the country to which such article is addressed, shall not be transmitted to the addressee by post in any form.

93. Omitted.

PART IX.—POSTAGE STAMPS.

Impressing stamps on letter cards, post cards, &c.

94. (1) Postage stamps shall be impressed under the following conditions on letter cards, post cards, envelopes, or wrappers supplied by the public upon written application being made to the Deputy Postmaster-General or to the postmaster at an official office, accompanied by a specimen card, envelope, or wrapper of approved colour:—

(a) Letter Cards—

Not less than 500 cards of one size, and in suitable sheets, shall be accepted at any one time for stamp impression.

(b) Post Cards—

(i) The cards shall not exceed 5½ inches in length and 3½ inches in breadth, nor be less than 4 inches in length and 2¾ inches in breadth, and shall consist of cardboard or paper stout enough to be easily handled in the post.

(ii) Not less than 500 cards of one size, and in suitable sheets, shall be accepted at any one time for stamp impression.

(c) Envelopes, Envelopes combined with Sheets of Note-paper, Wrappers, or Circulars with reply halves intended to be used as Orders for Publications, Goods, &c.—

(i) Not less than 500 envelopes, wrappers, or circulars of one size shall be accepted at any one time for stamp impression.

(ii) Paper which is too thin to bear the impression of the die and envelopes which exceed 9 inches in length and 4 inches in width, or 8 inches in length and 5 inches in width, shall not be accepted for stamp impression.

(iii) The paper for wrappers shall be in sheets and not cut in slips.

(iv) Envelopes or wrappers provided by the Postmaster-General’s Department may be substituted for any which may be spoiled in the operation of stamp impression.

(2) The charges, payable in advance, shall be—

(a) Letter Cards, Envelopes, Envelopes combined with Sheets of Note-paper, Wrappers, or Circulars with reply halves—

The value of the postage stamps, and 2s. 3d. per thousand or portion of a thousand of each value impressed.

(b) Post Cards—

The value of the postage stamps.

Sale of post-marked stamps.

95. (1) Postage stamps issued in the Commonwealth, lightly post-marked, may be purchased at their full face value.

(2) Sets of obliterated current and obsolete postage stamps issued in the Commonwealth may be purchased at a charge of One pound per set. The stamps of the face value of from ½d. to 5s. inclusive will be cancelled with the date stamp, and those exceeding 5s. in face value will be cancelled by having the word “Specimen” embossed upon them.

Re-purchase of stamps, &c.

96. (1) Postage stamps valid in the Commonwealth which are not perforated, and are in good order and condition, may, if tendered in strips of at least two, be repurchased from the public, at the General Post Office of any State of the Commonwealth, at their face value, less a discount of 2s. in the £1, 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 applications for the repurchase of stamps of denominations above 5s. shall be made to the Deputy Postmaster-General.

Provided further that stamps received by collectors of public moneys in their official capacity need not be tendered for repurchase in strips and the rate of discount thereon shall be 2½ per centum.

Re-purchase of envelopes, &c., bearing embossed or impressed stamps.

97. Envelopes and wrappers bearing embossed or impressed postage stamps which have been defaced, and spoiled letter cards and post cards bearing undefaced stamps, may be repurchased at the General Post Office, subject to a discount, in the case of envelopes and wrappers, at the rate of 5 per centum, and in the case of letter cards and post cards, at the rates prescribed by regulation 96.

Licences to sell stamps

98. (1) A Deputy Postmaster-General may upon receipt, from a person of a written application, and information as to the location of his premises and the nature of the business carried on by him, grant to such person a licence to sell postage stamps.

(2) Such licence shall authorize the sale of stamps at the premises named in the licence only, and may be revoked at the pleasure of the Deputy Postmaster-General.

(3) The person to whom a licence to sell postage stamps has been granted under these Regulations shall be hereinafter referred to as the “licensed vendor.”

Exhibition of notices.

99. (1) A licensed vendor shall exhibit and keep exhibited in some conspicuous place in front of the premises licensed a notice reading—

‘‘Licensed to Sell Postage Stamps.”

(2) The letters in such notice shall be at least 1 inch in height and of proportionate breadth.

Stamps to be available for purchase.

100. Every licensed vendor shall have postage stamps available for purchase by the public at the face value thereof at any time when his place of business is lawfully open to the public.

Purchase of supplies.

101. A licensed vendor shall purchase supplies of stamps, by application on the proper form, only from the post office named in the licence, and shall pay cash at face value for such supplies.

Commission

102. Commission not exceeding 2½ per centum may be allowed, in stamps, to licensed vendors on purchases of not less than £1 in value at any, one time of stamps of the denominations of ½d., 1d., 1½d., 2d., 2½d., and 3d.:

Provided that the amount of commission allowed to any licensed vendor on the stamps purchased under any licence held by him shall not exceed in the case of each licence the sum of Thirty shillings (30s.) in any week:

Provided further that in cases where several licences are held by one person, the premises licensed shall be grouped, according to the localities in which they are situated, in such a way as to ensure that stamps shall be supplied to the licensee from the smallest number of offices compatible with due regard to facility and promptness of supply, and the commission in such cases shall be limited to Thirty shillings (30s.) per week at any one post office, and supplies of postage stamps shall only be obtainable from each post office once a day.

Frequency of supply.

103. Subject to the last preceding regulation, no licensed vendor shall be allowed to obtain, on commission, supplies of postage stamps more frequently than once a day.

Stamps not to be used for payment of accounts, &c.

104. A licensed vendor shall not use postage stamps purchased under licence for the payment of accounts nor for remittances.

Vendor to keep book.

105. When called upon by the Deputy Postmaster-General to do so a licensed vendor shall keep a book containing particulars of stamp sales, and shall produce such book to an authorized officer of the Postmaster-General’s Department when required.

Interference with stamps

106. (1) Any person who—

(a) treats or deals with or applies any substance to any postage stamp in any manner so as to facilitate the removal of any post-mark which is or may be placed thereon in any post office; or

(b) knowingly has in his possession any postage stamp, which has been treated or dealt with or to which any substance has been applied in any manner so as to facilitate the removal of any post-mark which is or may be placed thereon in any post office; or

(c) knowingly puts off or uses for postal or telegraphic purposes any postage stamp which has been treated or dealt with or to which any substance has been applied in any manner so as to facilitate the removal of any post-mark which is or may be placed thereon in any post office—

shall be guilty of an offence, and shall be liable, on conviction, to a penalty of not more than £50 and not less than £1.

(2) Proof that a postage stamp affixed to a postal article has been treated or dealt with, or has had applied to it any substance, in contravention of this Regulation, and that the defendant is the writer of the

postal article or of any communication therein or of the address thereon or of any part of such address, or is the sender thereof, shall be prima facie evidence that he is guilty of an offence against this regulation:

Provided that nothing in this Regulation shall prejudice the proof of an offence against this regulation by other evidence.

PART X.—PRIVATE POSTING BOXES.

Clearance of private posting boxes.

107. (1) Upon receipt of an application in writing, the Deputy Postmaster-General may arrange for the clearance of unregistered letters, letter cards, and post cards from a posting box installed on business or other premises.

(2) The type of box to be provided and the position in which it is to be placed shall be subject to the approval of the Deputy Postmaster-General.

Notice to be affixed.

108. (1) A notice shall be affixed to each box as follows:—

“Any article put into this box shall 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.

“Articles such as newspapers and packets (including circulars) must not be posted in this box.”

(2) The second paragraph of such notice shall be printed in prominent letters.

Discontinuance in certain circumstances.

109. If any articles other than unregistered letters, letter cards, and post cards are posted in a private posting box the arrangement for the clearance of the box may be discontinued.

Arrangements to be determined by Deputy Postmaster-General.

110. The arrangements for the clearance of the box and the times of clearance shall be determined by the Deputy Postmaster-General.

Officers to have access and possess keys.

111. 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.

Fees.

112. (1) The fees for clearance, payable in advance, shall be as be as follows:—

(a) If the box is on the ground floor—

(b) If the box is on any floor other than the ground floor—

(2) If the box is cleared on Sundays or holidays or on both Sundays and holidays the fees prescribed by sub-regulation (1) of this Regulation shall be increased by the amount indicated hereunder, viz.:—

Part XI.—Private Boxes.

Private boxes may be rented

113. A private box at the General Post Office or at an official post office at which private boxes are installed may, subject to the approval of the Postmaster-General, be rented in accordance with the provisions of these Regulations.

Fees.

114. (1) The fees for the use of private boxes shall be as follow:—

Provided that in the case of private boxes in country towns, rented by persons served by less than two deliveries by postman on at least five days, exclusive of holidays, in each week, the fees shall be as follow:—

(2) An applicant for a private box shall pay in advance the proportion of the fee at the annual rate from the first day of the month in which the tenancy of the box will commence to the end of December following. Thereafter the annual renewal fee shall fall due on the first day of January in each year, and shall be paid within fourteen days of that date.

Temporary services

115. Notwithstanding the provisions of the last preceding regulation for the payment of annual fees, a person who at the time of making application satisfies the Department that he is a temporary resident only, may be allowed the use of a private box for a period of not less than three months and not more than six months. The fees, payable in advance, shall be as prescribed by the last preceding regulation calculated at the annual rate from the first day of the month during which the tenancy is to commence up to the last day of the month during which the tenancy is to be discontinued.

Keys.

116. (1) An applicant for a private box shall deposit with the Postmaster-General the sum of Five shillings as a guarantee for the return, in good order, of all keys of the box issued to him.

(2) The Postmaster-General shall make available to each person who rents a private box two keys of such box. Additional keys may be made available upon such person paying to the Postmaster-General the sum of One shilling and sixpence in respect of each such additional key

(3) All keys for private boxes shall be obtained from and remain the property of the Postmaster-General.

(4) Upon the tenancy of a private box being discontinued the person who rented such box shall return to the Postmaster-General all keys thereof issued to him and if such keys are so returned within fourteen days from the day on which the tenancy terminated the deposit of Five shillings lodged in accordance with the provisions of sub-regulation (1) of this Regulation shall be refunded. If the keys are not so returned the deposit shall be forfeited to the Postmaster-General, and the person who rented the box shall be liable to be charged the rental fee for the box until the keys are returned.

(5) If a key of a private box be lost, the tenant of such box shall at once report the loss and return the remaining keys to the officer in charge of the post office at which the box is provided. A new lock, for which a charge of Five shillings shall be made, will be fitted in the box, and two keys of such lock made available.

Larger or additional boxes to be rented in certain events.

117. If the quantity of mail matter regularly received for a private box-holder exceeds the capacity of the box or boxes rented by him, the Postmaster-General may require the holder to—

(a) rent a larger or additional box or boxes, for which the prescribed fees shall be charged; or

(b) at an office where boxes for this purpose are provided, rent a box through the medium of which second and third class mail matter only shall be delivered. The fee for a box of this type shall be £1 per annum.

Clearance of private boxes

118. (1) Except when in the opinion of the officer in charge of the office at which the box is provided there are good and sufficient reasons for not doing so, the holder of a private box shall arrange for the box to be cleared with sufficient frequency to prevent an accumulation of mail matter in excess of the capacity of the box and the holder of a box of the type referred to in paragraph (b) of the last preceding regulation shall arrange for such box to be cleared not less than once daily, Sundays and holidays excepted.

(2) If the provisions of this Regulation are not complied with the Postmaster-General may cancel the service, and in such case refund of rental shall not be payable.

Transfer of tenancy.

119. (1) The tenancy of a private box may be transferred to the tenant’s successor in business upon payment of a fee of One shilling and upon application being made by both parties. An undertaking shall be furnished by the transferee to accept all liabilities and obligations devolving upon the transferor at the time of transfer.

(2) Upon the transfer of the tenancy of a private box under the provisions of sub-regulation (1) of this regulation, the right to refund of the deposit, as provided by sub-regulation (4) of regulation 116, and to refund of portion of the fee, as provided by regulation 120, shall pass to the transferee.

(3) The private box service of any box-holder may, if a box is available at the post office to which the transfer is desired, be transferred from one official post office to another within the Commonwealth, on payment of a fee of 2s. 6d.

Refund of portion of fee upon discontinuance of tenancy.

120. If a person who has rented a private box for more than one year continuously relinquishes the use of such box before the expiration of any subsequent year for which the prescribed fee has been paid, he shall, on return by him to the Department of all the keys of the box, and on payment of a fee of 1s., be refunded the proportion of the fee paid for the period beyond the end of the quarter during which the box is relinquished.

Disqualification from tenancy.

121. A private box shall not be let—

(a) to any person who fails, neglects, or refuses to furnish, when required by the Postmaster-General, evidence to the satisfaction of the Postmaster-General, that he is not a person, or the agent or representative of a person, who is engaged in receiving money or any valuable thing for any of the purposes or in connexion with any of the matters mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (c) inclusive of sub-section (1) of section 57 of the Act, and that, he does not intend to use the box for any such purpose or in connexion with any such matter; or

(b) to any person using a fictitious or assumed name unless the Postmaster-General is satisfied as to the bona fides of such person.

Cancellation of tenancy.

122. (1) The Postmaster-General may cancel the tenancy of a private box at any time if the person who rents such box fails to comply with these regulations or if the Postmaster-General has reason to believe that the box—

(a) is being used for any purpose, or in connexion with any matter mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (c) inclusive of sub-section (1) of section 57 of the Act; or

(b) has been used by, or by the permission of, the tenant for or in connexion, with any illegal, fraudulent, indecent or immoral purpose; or

(c) is held, used or controlled by a person who has been convicted of any offence involving fraud or dishonesty.

(2) Where the tenancy of a private box is so cancelled no portion of the rental fee for the box shall be refunded.

PART XII.—PRIVATE MAIL BAGS.

Private mail bags.

123. (1) A private mail bag service by mailman or by private messenger may, upon payment of the prescribed fee, and subject to the approval of the Postmaster-General, be obtained by a person or a number of persons in accordance with the provisions of those regulations.

(2) The post office at which the private mail bag shall be made up and received shall be determined by the Department.

Service by mailman.

124. A private mail bag service mailman may be obtained only when the place of delivery and collection of the bag is situated on a mail route at a point beyond the boundary of a letter delivery by postman and beyond one mile of any post office, and on the condition that the mailman shall not be required to deviate from the recognized mail route for the purpose of delivering and collecting the bag and the conveyance of mails shall not be delayed thereby.

Service by private messenger.

125. A private mail bag service by private messenger may be obtained under the following conditions:—

(a) Where the applicant resides beyond the boundary of a letter delivery by postman and beyond one mile of any post office the service may be obtained with any post office approved by the Department.

(b) Where the applicant resides within an area served by a letter delivery by postman the only bag service which may be obtained is that referred to in regulation 127: Provided that in the event of a private box not being available at the time the application is lodged, a private mail bag service with a post office determined by the Department may be given under this regulation on the understanding that such service will terminate immediately a private box becomes available at the post office at which the bag is made up. If upon a private box becoming available the holder of the private mail bag service rents a private box and avails himself of the bag service referred to in regulation 127 the provisions of regulation 128 in regard to the fee shall not apply until 1st January following.

(c) Where the applicant resides in an area not served by a letter delivery but within one mile of a post office the service shall be with that post office only:

Provided that this restriction may be waived in the case of a public institution.

Fees for private mail services.

126. (1) The fees for private mail bag services provided under regulation 123 shall be—

(a) Where the bag is conveyed by mailman—

(b) Where the bag is conveyed to and from the post office by private messenger—

(2) An applicant for a private mail bag service shall pay in advance the proportion of the prescribed fee at the annual rate from the first day of the month in which the service will commence to the end of December following. Thereafter the annual renewal fee shall fall due on the 1st day of January in each year, and shall be paid within one month of that date.

Locked bag in conjunction with private box.

127. The holder of a private letter box service may upon payment of the prescribed fee have the contents of his private letter box placed in a locked bag at the post office and handed to his messenger:

Provided that where the bag is made up not more than once daily, a private box-holder residing on a mail route at a point beyond the boundary of a letter delivery and beyond one mile of the post office at which the bag is made up may have the bag delivered and collected by the mailman.

Fees for locked bag services.

128. (1) The fee payable by the applicant for either of the services mentioned in the last preceding regulation shall be £2 per annum in addition to the rental fee for the private box:

Provided that for a service by mailman of greater frequency than once daily the fee shall be 6s. 8d. per annum for each despatch weekly.

(2) The applicant for a locked bag service shall pay in advance the proportion of the prescribed fee at the annual rate from the first day of the month in which the service will commence to the end of December following. Thereafter the annual renewal fee shall fall due on the 1st day of January in each year, and shall be paid within fourteen days of that date.

Lockers for bags.

129. (l) Where lockers for the holding of locked bags are provided, at post offices, a locker may be used by the holder of a locked bag service on the payment of a rental fee of £2 per annum.

(2) The provisions of sub-regulation (2) of the last preceding regulation shall apply to the payment of fees for such lockers.

Temporary services.

130. (1) Notwithstanding, the provisions of these regulations for the payment of annual fees, persons who satisfy the Department that they are temporary residents may obtain a temporary private mailbag service for not more than four consecutive calendar months. For such a service one-half only of the annual fee payable under regulation 126 shall be charged.

(2) Persons who are granted a temporary private box service under regulation 115 may also obtain a temporary locked bag service for the same period as that for which the temporary private box service has been granted. The fee for such a service shall be at the rate of £2 per annum, calculated at the annual rate from the first day of the month during which the service is to be commenced up to the last day of the month during which the service is to be discontinued.

(3) The fees for bag services granted under this regulation shall be payable in advance.

Refunds upon discontinuance.

131. If a person who has held a bag service under these regulations for more than one year continuously discontinues the service before the end of any subsequent year for which the prescribed fee has been paid, he shall, upon application and payment of a fee of One shilling, be refunded the proportion of the fee paid for the period beyond the end of the quarter during which the service was discontinued.

Transfers to other offices or routes.

132. (1) A person who holds a private mail bag service under regulation 123 may have his service transferred—

(2) A person who holds a locked bag service under regulation 127 may upon payment of a fee of 2s. 6d., in addition to the fee for the transfer of his private box service, have his bag service transferred from one post office to another within the Commonwealth provided that his private box service is transferred to the same office.

Transfer to other persons.

133. A bag service may be transferred to the successor in business of the original bag-holder, or to a person taking occupation of the premises of the original bag-holder, upon payment of a fee of 1s., and upon application being made by both parties, and an undertaking being furnished by the transferee to accept all liabilities and obligations devolving upon the original bag-holder in respect of such service at the time of transfer:

Provided that in the case of a bag service held under regulation 127 the transferee shall at the same time take over the private box service of the transferor.

Type of bag to be provided.

134. (1) The bags shall be of strong material suitable for the purpose for which they are to be used, and shall be provided by or at the cost of the persons requiring them.

(2) Such bags shall be large enough to contain all articles sent and received by post, and should at any time a bag be found to be too small for requirements the holder shall upon receipt of notice from the Department so to do, provide a bag of sufficient size.

(3) If a bag is fitted with a lock two keys must be provided—one for the postmaster and the other for the holder of the bag service.

Names of holder and post office to appear on bag.

135. (1) There shall be plainly indicated upon every private mail bag made up under the provisions of regulation 123, or upon a leather or metal label securely attached to the bag, the name of the holder, or the place where the bag is to be delivered and the name of the post office at which the bag is made up.

(2) The provisions of sub-regulation (1) of this regulation shall also apply to bag services by mailman provided under regulation 127.

Permissible enclosures.

136. A bag service may be used for the delivers of postal articles addressed to—

(a) the care of the bag-holder:

(b) persons in the employ of the bag-holder: or

(c) persons who, with the bag-holder’s written consent, give written authority to the postmaster to enclose their mail matter in his bag.

Responsibility for unpaid postage, &c.

137. The holder of a private mail bag service shall be responsible for any unpaid postage and surcharges due in respect of postal articles forwarded in the bag, and shall furnish receipts for all registered articles and parcels enclosed in the bag, and forward to the post office acknowledgments of delivery, duly signed by the addressees. He shall promptly return all postal articles undeliverable or for persons who have left his station or place, also any postal articles forwarded in the bag in error.

Responsible person to be specified

138. (1) Where, a bag is to be made up for a number of persons, the name of one of the number, to whom the bag may be addressed, and who shall be responsible for all payments in respect of the service, shall be specified.

(2) Such person shall sign the application for the service and for the purposes of these Regulations shall be the holder thereof.

Non-compliance with regulations.

139. (1) if the holder of a bag service fails to comply with the provisions of the regulations relating to bag services the service may be cancelled.

(2) On the cancellation of such service, a refund as prescribed in regulation 131 shall not be made.

Part XIII.—Registration.

Registration within the Commonwealth

140. (1) Any postal article which is addressed to a place within the Commonwealth and complies with the regulations relating to the class of mail matter to which it belongs and with the regulations relating to registration shall, upon payment by the sender of the prescribed fee in addition to the correct postage, be accepted for registration.

(2) The fee for registration shall be prepaid in postage stamps affixed to the article.

(3) An official receipt or certificate of posting, or both, as the Postmaster-General determines, shall be issued to the sender in respect of each article registered.

Registered articles—Marking of

141. The distinctive marking of a registered article shall be a red line drawn lengthwise and across the front and back of the article, and no postal article which is so marked shall be transmitted otherwise than by registered post.

Articles must be properly packed and fastened.

142. (1) To be eligible for transmission by registered post within the Commonwealth an article shall be enclosed in a cover which is in a sound condition, shall be packed as prescribed in Part V. of these Regulations, and shall be secured in the following manner:—

(a) If the article is contained in an envelope, the envelope shall be securely fastened with wax, gum or other adhesive substance in such a way that no portion of its contents can be removed without external and visible damage to the envelope. An envelope with black or coloured borders shall not be used;

(b) If the article is contained in a cover other than an envelope, the cover shall be securely fastened with wax, gum or other adhesive substance in such a way that it cannot be opened without leaving obvious traces of violation; and

(c) Jewellery, watches (except those in nickel or other base metal covers), or any article of gold or silver shall be enclosed in a strong box or case securely fastened in a wrapper of linen, canvas, or strong paper or other substantial material, and the address shall be written on the cover of the package. Coin shall be so packed that it cannot move about:

Provided that the provisions of sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Regulation shall not apply to Second or Third Class Mail Matter and Parcels upon which a registration fee of not more than 3d. is paid nor to “cash on delivery” parcels upon which only the prescribed commission has been paid.

(2) A postal article shall not be accepted for registration if—

(a) it is addressed in pencil (except copying-ink pencil);

(b) it is addressed in initials or a fictitious name without a supplementary direction for the delivery to the care of some person, firm, or company;

(c) selvedge stamp paper or other gummed paper is attached to the cover for the purpose of sealing the article; or

(d) it bears the appearance of having been opened and resealed.

Examination of certain registered articles.

143. A Postmaster may require the addressee of a registered postal article which bears postage at the rates prescribed for Second and Third Class Mail Matter to open such article in his presence in order that he may ascertain whether the contents include any article liable to a higher rate of postage.

Compensation—Within the Commonwealth

144. (1) Where the Postmaster-General is satisfied that a registered postal article (which term for the purposes of this Regulation includes “cash on delivery” parcel) posted in the Commonwealth for delivery therein was lost or the contents or portion thereof were lost, damaged or rifled while the article was in course of transmission through the post, compensation shall be paid for such loss, damage or rifling:

Provided that compensation shall not be payable—

(a) where in the opinion of the Postmaster-General the loss or damage arose wholly or in part from any defect in the packing or fastening (and in this regard the acceptance of an article for registration shall not be construed as an admission by the Postmaster-General that such article was properly packed at the time of registration); or from any fault on the part of the sender; or from an act of God, or the King’s enemies; or from causes beyond control (e.g., tempest, shipwreck, earthquake, war or fire);

(b) unless application for compensation be made within three months after the date of posting of the article concerned;

(c) in respect of an article which has been officially registered in pursuance of sub-section (3) of section 38 of the Act;

(d) in respect of an article containing anything not legally transmissible by post;

(e) in respect of an article on which postage was prepaid at a rate lower than the prescribed rate;

(f) for injury or damage alleged to have been sustained in consequence of loss, damage, delay, non-delivery or mis-delivery;

(g) except as an act of grace, in respect of any article which has been delivered without external trace of injury, or which has been accepted by the addressee without complaint as to its condition.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Regulation compensation in respect of the following postal articles shall be payable only in the event of the loss of the entire postal article:—

(a) articles on which a registration fee of not more than Threepence has been paid;

(b) “cash on delivery” parcels on which only the prescribed commission has been paid; and

(c) articles containing liquids or semi-liquids, perishable articles such as eggs, butter, flowers, fruit, confectionery, or articles of fragile nature such as glassware, phonograph records, millinery, and such like articles.

Registration fees and compensation—Articles other than cash on delivery parcels—Within the Commonwealth.

145. The registration fees payable (in addition to postage) on articles other than “cash on delivery” parcels posted in the Commonwealth for delivery therein shall be as set out in the first column of the table hereunder, and the maximum amounts of compensation payable shall be the amounts respectively set forth in the second column of the table opposite the registration fees:—

Registration fees and compensation—Articles other than cash on delivery parcels—Within the Commonwealth.

146. (1) The prescribed commission (which includes a registration of 3d.) on a “cash on delivery” parcel, shall provide for compensation not exceeding Two pounds only in the event of the loss of the entire postal article.

(2) The registration fees payable (in addition to postage and prescribed commission) on “cash on delivery” parcels posted in the Commonwealth for delivery therein to provide for compensation in respect of loss, damage or rifling of contents or portion thereof shall be as set out in the first column of the table hereunder, and the maximum amounts of compensation payable shall be the amounts respectively set forth in the second column of the table opposite the registration fees:—

Claims for compensation

147. (1) A claim for compensation shall be accompanied by—

(a) the official receipt or certificate of posting issued to the sender of the article;

(b) a statutory declaration made by the claimant setting forth the circumstances upon which the claim is based; and

(c) a statutory declaration made by the addressee, or by some person who is acquainted with the facts, confirming the statements made by the claimant in regard to the loss of or damage to the article:

Provided that when the official receipt or the certificate of posting cannot be produced, evidence in support of a claim for compensation may be given by statutory declaration made by or on behalf of the claimant, setting forth—

(a) the date when and the place where the article was posted, so far as this information can reasonably be ascertained;

(b) a description of the article and its value so far as known to the claimant;

(c) particulars of the circumstances on which the claim for compensation is based; and

(d) any other particulars tending to establish the loss of or damage to the article and to verify the claim made.

(2) In the case of articles containing bank notes, cheques, money orders, postal notes, bills of exchange, bonds, or other order or authority for the payment of money or security for money, particulars sufficient for their identification shall be furnished, including, when required, the number, amount, bank of issue and date of any bank note, and the amount and number of any postal note.

(3) The Deputy Postmaster-General may, if he thinks fit require additional evidence to be furnished as to the nature or value of the contents of an article or as to the loss of or damage to an article.

Maximum compensation payable.

148. (1) The compensation payable shall not in any case exceed the value of the article lost or the amount of the damage sustained, and if that amount exceeds the maximum amount, payable under regulation 145 or 146 then the compensation shall not exceed the maximum amount so payable.

(2) In the case of claims for the loss of the contents, or portion thereof, of a postal article, the Postmaster-General may reinstate the contents of the article instead of paying compensation.

(3) Compensation in respect of coin enclosed in a registered article shall in no case exceed Two pounds.

Disposal of article found after compensation paid.

149. After compensation has been paid in respect of the loss of a registered article, the Postmaster-General may dispose of the article after as he thinks fit, should it subsequently come into his hands.

Re-directed registered articles.

150. If a registered article posted in the Commonwealth is redirected to a place beyond the Commonwealth, compensation in respect of loss or damage occurring to the article after it has left the Commonwealth may be paid in accordance with the conditions applicable to articles addressed to other countries, but not otherwise.

Decision of Postmaster-General final.

151. The final decision on all questions of compensation payable under this Part shall rest with the Postmaster-General.

Definition of place—Beyond the Commonwealth

152. For the purposes of regulations 153 to 156 a place beyond the Commonwealth includes Papua, Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island, New Guinea (formerly German New Guinea) and Nauru.

Registration—Beyond the Commonwealth.

153. (1) Any postal article (other than a parcel) which is addressed to a place beyond the Commonwealth and complies with the conditions relating to the class of mail matter to which it belongs and with the regulations relating to registration shall, upon payment by the sender of a fee of Threepence in addition to the correct postage, be accepted for registration.

(2) The fee for registration shall be prepaid in postage stamps affixed to the article.

(3) An official receipt shall be issued to the sender in respect of each article registered.

Articles must be properly packed and fastened. Certain Articles not admitted.

154. The provisions of regulation 142 shall, so far as they are applicable, apply to articles addressed to places beyond the Commonwealth which are tendered for registration.

Compensation for loss of registered articles addressed to or received from overseas.

155. If it is proved to the satisfaction of the Postmaster-General that a registered postal article addressed to or received from a place beyond the Commonwealth was lost while in his custody, the Postmaster-General may pay to the sender compensation not exceeding Two pounds:

Provided that compensation shall not be payable—

(a) except in the case of the loss of the entire postal article;

(b) where the loss arose from causes beyond control (e.g., tempest, shipwreck, earthquake, war or fire);

(c) unless application for compensation be made within a year after the date of posting of the article; or

(d) in respect of an article containing anything prohibited from transmission by post by the Universal Postal Convention for the time being in force.

Claims.

156. The procedure to be followed in regard to claims for compensation in respect of registered articles sent to or received from a place beyond the Commonwealth shall be that prescribed in connexion with registered articles posted in the Commonwealth for delivery therein.

Delivery of registered articles.

157. (1) When no direction in writing, to the contrary has been given, a registered article may be delivered to any responsible person known to be a member of the addressee’s household.

(2) Except as provided in the last preceding sub-regulation, a registered article shall not be delivered to any person other than—

(a) the addressee in person;

(b) a person authorized by a written order from the addressee to receive delivery of registered articles on his behalf;

(c) in the case of business establishments, public institutions, clubs, hotels, and lodging-houses, the proprietor or manager, or some person authorized in writing by the proprietor or manager to receive delivery of mail matter at such places;

(d) a person to whose care the registered article is addressed; or

(e) a person authorized by power of attorney to conduct business on the addressee’s behalf:

Provided that a registered article addressed to a person whose mail matter is usually despatched in a private mail bag or a free mail bag shall be deemed to have been delivered to the addressee when it has been despatched in such private mail bag or free mail bag from the office at which the bag is made up.

(3) An order under paragraph (b) of the last preceding sub-regulation shall be signed by the addressee of the article and shall bear—

(a) the date on which it was made;

(b) the addressee’s address and the name of the person in whose favour it is made;

(c) a specimen signature of the person in whose favour it is made,

and shall be delivered to the Postmaster or other proper officer.

(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-regulations (1) and (2) of this regulation, in all cases where the sender pays the prescribed, fee to obtain an acknowledgment of delivery of the article, delivery of a registered article posted in the Commonwealth shall be made only to the addressee. In such cases the sender may endorse the cover of the article with the words “To be delivered to addressee only.”

Complaints.

158. In the event of the addressee desiring to report that the contents, or portion thereof, of a registered article delivered to him have been abstracted, lost, or damaged in the post, he shall forthwith submit the article as nearly an possible in the condition in which it was received from the office of delivery for examination by the Postmaster or some other responsible officer at the office of delivery.

Acknowledgement of delivery—Within the Commonwealth.

159. (1) The sender of a registered article addressed to a place within the Commonwealth may obtain an acknowledgment of its due delivery to the addressee by paying a fee of Threepence in addition to the postage and registration fee.

(2) The sender shall 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 shall affix to the form postage stamps to the value of Threepence in payment of the fee.

Acknowledgement of delivery—Beyond the Commonwealth.

160. The conditions governing acknowledgment of delivery of registered articles posted in the Commonwealth for delivery therein shall also apply in the case of registered, articles for delivery in places beyond, the Commonwealth, except that the fee shall be Threepence when the acknowledgment of delivery is applied for at the time of posting, and Sixpence when the acknowledgment of delivery is applied for subsequent to the time of posting. In the latter case, the postage stamps representing the fee shall be affixed to a special form and not to the acknowledgment of delivery form.

PART XIV.—PARCELS (FOURTH CLASS MAIL MATTER).

Weight and size.

161. A parcel shall not exceed 11 lb. in weight, 3 ft. 6 in. in length or 6 feet in length and girth combined.

Postage must be prepaid.

162. (1) Except in cases where authority is given under Regulation 61 for payment of postage by the addressee, the postage on a parcel shall be fully prepaid by means of adhesive postage stamps, which the sender or person handing in the parcel shall affix—

(a) on the cover, close to the address; or

(b) on a label supplied by the Department to be affixed to the parcel:

Provided that, in cases where the covering of the parcel is of material to which stamps will not readily adhere, or the covering or contents of the parcel would be damaged by the pressure of an obliterating stamp, the stamps shall be affixed on a tie-on label securely attached to the parcel.

Addressing of parcels.

163. The sender of a parcel shall clearly indicate on the outside thereof the name and full address of the addressee and where a tie-on label is used such name and address shall be indicated on the cover of the parcel as well as on the tie-on label.

Name and address of sender to appear on parcels.

164. The sender of a parcel shall indicate his name and address on the cover of the parcel in such a position that it will, not be confused with the name and address of the addressee, or alternatively in the space provided for the purpose on the label supplied by the Department to be affixed to the parcel:

Provided that where the sender of a parcel addressed to a place within the Commonwealth objects to his name and address appearing on the parcel, the provisions of this regulation may be waived if the parcel does not contain a liquid or semi-liquid or any other substance which, in the event of breakage of the containing vessel or covering, might injure other postal articles.

Parcels not properly packed may be refused.

165. When it is apparent to the official to whom a parcel is tendered for transmission that the parcel is not packed in accordance with the prescribed conditions, he shall refuse to accept it for transmission until such conditions are complied with.

Special protection of fragile and perishable articles.

166. (1) If the sender of a parcel desires that the parcel shall be specially protected from damage during transmission through the post, he shall mark, the parcel “Fragile” or “Perishable” on the outside covering and shall pay the higher rate of postage prescribed by sub regulation (2) of Regulation 188 for parcels so marked.

(2) Payment of the higher rate of postage referred to in the last preceding sub-regulation shall not relieve the sender from compliance with the prescribed conditions as to packing of postal articles.

(3) Umbrellas, golf clubs, walking sticks, fishing rods, and such like articles shall not be accepted for transmission by post as fragile parcels.

Posting of parcels.

167. (1) A parcel intended for transmission by parcel post shall not be posted in a posting receptacle but shall be handed in at a post office. The officer to whom a parcel is handed shall check the weight, size, and postage, before accepting it. If the postage be not fully prepaid (except in cases where authority is given under Regulation 61 for payment of postage by the addressee) or if the parcel exceeds the limits of weight or size, it shall not be accepted.

(2) Should an article which is transmissible through the post only as a parcel be posted in a posting receptacle instead of being, handed in at a post, office in the prescribed manner, it shall be regarded as being irregularly posted and the following procedure shall be adopted:—

(a) If for delivery within the Commonwealth the parcel shall, if it bears sufficient address and is properly packed, be forwarded to its destination, but double the amount of any deficient postage shall be charged on delivery; or

(b) If addressed to a place beyond the Commonwealth the parcel shall be detained, and, if practicable, a notice shall be forwarded to the sender requiring him to complete the necessary Customs declaration and pay the deficient postage, if any, on the parcel and the postage on the notice sent to him. If the name and address of the sender cannot be ascertained, the parcel shall be dealt with as follows:—

(i) If the parcel is addressed to the Union of South Africa or New Zealand, and bears a sufficient address and is properly packed; it shall be forwarded to its destination surcharged double the amount of any deficient postage; or

(ii) if the parcel is addressed to a country other than the Union of South Africa or New Zealand, it shall be detained and a notice shall be sent to the addressee informing him of the detention of the parcel and the reason therefor, and that, on the receipt of the amount of the deficient postage (if any) and the postage on the notice the parcel will be forwarded.

(3) If an irregularly posted parcel be not properly packed it shall, if possible, be returned to the sender upon payment of a fee of Sixpence.

(4) Should an irregularly posted parcel not bear an address sufficient to permit of despatch to its destination, a notice shall, if possible, be sent to the sender informing him that, on furnishing the requisite address and on payment of the deficient postage, if any, on the parcel and of the postage on the notice sent to him, the parcel will be forwarded to its destination.

Restriction of number to be posted in certain cases.

168. When, in the opinion of the Postmaster General, such is necessary in the interests of the Department, the number of parcels which may be accepted at the post office from any one sender on any one day may be restricted to the extent determined by him.

Contains declarations.

169. The sender of a parcel addressed to a place beyond the Commonwealth shall sign a declaration on a form provided by the Department for the purpose setting forth in the English language—

(a) an accurate statement of the contents;

(b) the value of the contents;

(c) the name and address of the addressee;

(d) the sender’s name and address;

(e) if possible, the net weight or quantity of the various articles contained in the parcel;

(f) where articles contained in the parcel are being returned to the country of origin, that such is the case; and

(g) any other particulars which may facilitate the assessment of Customs duty.

Certificate of posting.

170. A certificate of posting of an unregistered parcel, or a number of unregistered parcels posted at the one time by the same person, firm or company, may be obtained without charge. The form of certificate shall be filled in by the sender or his representative and handed in at the post office with the parcel or parcels.

Acknowledgement of delivery.

171. The sender of an unregistered parcel addressed to a place within the Commonwealth may obtain an acknowledgment of its delivery to the addressee or other person to whom it is delivered on payment of a fee of Threepence in addition to postage. The sender shall enter the necessary particulars in a form provided by the Department for the purpose and shall affix to such form postage stamps in payment of the fee.

Jewellery, coin, bullion, gold, &c.

172. (1) A parcel containing jewellery, precious stones, watches (except those in nickel or other base metal covers), coin, bullion, gold, or any article constituting the sign of a monetary value (such as cheques, postal notes, money orders, &c.) other than unobliterated adhesive postage or duty stamps, post cards, and blank promissory note forms bearing duly stamps, may be sent by parcels post only if addressed to a country with which the system of parcels insurance is in force and to which the transmission of such articles is not prohibited, and on the condition that such parcel is insured for at least a part of the value of its contents.

(2) A parcel which after posting is found to contain any of the articles mentioned in the last preceding sub-regulation and not to comply with the conditions prescribed therein, shall, if practicable, be returned to the sender upon payment of a fee of Sixpence.

(3) On delivery of an uninsured parcel received from a country from which insured parcels maybe received, containing any of the articles mentioned in sub-regulation (1) of this Regulation the addressee shall pay a fee of Sixpence.

Contents of parcels.

173. A parcel may not contain a package intended for delivery at an address other than that borne by the parcel itself. Should a parcel contain any such enclosure it shall be surcharged on delivery double the postage chargeable on the enclosure as a separate postal article.

Prohibited articles.

174 A parcel bearing or containing any indecent, obscene, profane, or libellous writing, signature, address, mark, design, print, photograph, lithograph, engraving, book, card, or other article, or anything explosive or liable to sudden combustion, live animals, offensive or filthy matter, or unless properly packed, any article likely to cause injury to other parcels or to postal officials, shall not be accepted for transmission. Should any such parcel be detected in transit through the post, the objectionable contents shall be confiscated.

Destruction of offensive contents.

175. Should the contents of any parcel become offensive or otherwise objectionable while in transit through the post, the parcel or its contents may be destroyed forthwith.

Notices or information relating to lotteries, &c.

176. The transmission by parcels post of notices or information relating to lotteries, schemes of chance, unlawful games, fraudulent, obscene, indecent, or immoral business or undertakings, and other matters coming within the provisions of Section 57 of the Act, is prohibited.

If a parcel continuing any such prohibited article be posted in contravention of this Regulation, or be received by Post from any place outside the Commonwealth, it shall be sent to the Dead Letter Office for disposal.

Examination of parcels and payment of Customs duty.

177. (1) Parcels may be opened by postal officials for the purpose of examination of the contents.

(2) In the case of a parcel from a place beyond the Commonwealth, the contents shall be subject to examination by Customs officials, and where duty is payable such duty shall be paid before the parcel is delivered.

Delivery free.

178. A charge of Sixpence shall be collected from the addressee on delivery of each parcel containing goods for sale or for commercial purposes received from a place beyond the Commonwealth:

Provided that such charge shall not be made on parcels which contain only bona fide samples having no saleable value and which are admitted into the Commonwealth free of Customs duty.

Delivery of parcels.

179. (1) In the case of a parcel delivery of which will not be effected by the Department at its address, the addressee shall be notified of the arrival of the parcel and delivery shall be made to the addressee or his agent at the post office mentioned in the notice.

(2) A receipt in the form required by the Postmaster-General shall be given by the addressee or his agent upon delivery of a parcel.

Demurrage.

180. (1) Any parcel or other postal article from a place beyond in the Commonwealth—

(a) on the contents of which Customs duty is payable; or

(b) having contents imported through the post for commercial purposes (whether liable to Customs duty or not

which remains undelivered at the Chief Parcels Office or any post office at which duty is assessed by an officer of Customs for more than seventy-two hours (exclusive of Sundays and holidays) after the posting to the addressee of a notification of its arrival, shall be subject to demurrage at the rate of Twopence for every twenty-four hours or portion thereof during which it remains undelivered after such seventy-two hours:

Provided that, if in, the ordinary course of the circulation of mail matter the notification cannot reach the addressee within twenty-four hours, for each additional twenty-four hours that elapses before the notification can reach the addressee a corresponding period of twenty-four hours shall be allowed without any charge of demurrage:

Provided further that demurrage shall not be chargeable for any period in respect of which it can be shown that the detention of a parcel or other postal article was not due to the fault or negligence of the sender or the addressee or any person acting on behalf of the sender or the addressee; but this proviso shall not relieve the addressee from payment of demurrage in the event of delay in producing invoices, descriptions, or contents, or any similar information required by the Department of Trade and Customs.

(2) The date from which demurrage shall be charged shall be indicated in the notification.

(3) No parcel or other postal article on which demurrage is chargeable shall be delivered until all demurrage due thereon has been paid.

(4) No demurrage shall be charged on parcels or other postal articles addressed to persons on board ship.

(5) In the case of parcels or other postal articles returned to the country of origin as undeliverable, the charge for demurrage shall be cancelled.

Return of parcel to sender.

181. (1) If the sender of a parcel applies 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.

(2) If the sender of a parcel which has been posted for delivery within the Commonwealth, applies for its return after it has been despatched from the office at which it was posted, but before it has been delivered to the addressee, the request shall, if possible, be complied with, subject to payment by the sender of the charges prescribed by this Regulation.

(3) If the sender of a parcel which has been posted for delivery beyond the Commonwealth applies for its return after it has been despatched from the office at which it was posted, but before it has been despatched from the State in which it was posted, the request shall, if possible, be complied with, subject to payment by the sender of the charges prescribed by this Regulation.

(4) At the time of making application for the return of a parcel in accordance with sub-regulation (2) and (3) of this Regulation, the sender shall pay the cost of any telegram or telegrams which it is necessary to send in order to secure the return of the parcel, and before the parcel is handed back the sender shall also pay a fee amounting to half the original postage on the parcel at the full prepaid rate, but not less than 6d., together with any other charges due on the parcel.

Redirection of parcels.

182. (1) On receipt of a properly signed authority from the sender or addressee a parcel shall be redirected, subject to the following conditions:—

(a) If the redirection be to an address within the same delivery as the original address; no charge shall be made for redirection;

(b) If the redirection be to another delivery or post town within the Commonwealth, the charge for redirection shall be a half the original postage on the parcel at the fully prepaid rate but not less than 6d. 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; and

(d) If after delivery a parcel be redirected, it shall be subject to additional postage at the fully prepaid rate.

(2) The sender or addressee, or the person presenting a parcel for redirection, shall either prepay the additional redirection charges or give a written guarantee that payment of those charges (if any) will

be made by the addressee on delivery. A guarantee will be accepted only from a person who is known to the officer in charge. In cases where it is not practicable for a guarantee to be given, the parcel may be redirected to another address within the Commonwealth, provided the contents thereof would, in the opinion of the officer in charge, if sold by public auction, return an amount sufficient to defray the fees and charges due.

Undelivered parcels—Posted in Commonwealth for delivery therein.

183. (1) Any parcel posted in the Commonwealth for delivery therein which is undelivered shall be dealt with as follows:—

(a) A parcel refused by the addressee shall if possible be at once returned to the sender;

(b) A parcel bearing a request for return to the sender if not delivered after the expiration of seven or more days (but not exceeding one month) shall be so returned; and

(c) Parcels other than those referred to in the last preceding paragraph 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 for return to the sender.

(2) Half the original postage on the parcel at the fully prepaid rate, but not less than Sixpence, shall be paid by the sender in respect of each parcel returned in accordance with the provisions of this Regulation.

(3) Parcels which cannot be delivered to the addressees or returned to the senders shall be retained at the Chief Parcels Office of the State of origin for a period of three months, after which they shall be sold by public auction or destroyed, as determined by the Deputy Postmaster-General.

Undelivered parcels—Received from beyond the Commonwealth.

184. (1) A parcel received from a place beyond the Commonwealth which cannot be delivered shall be dealt, with in accordance with the provisions of the Parcels Post Agreement in operation between the Commonwealth and the country from which the parcel was received.

(2) In cases where the Parcels Post Agreement does not provide for undeliverable parcels to be returned to the country of origin, the contents of the parcel shall be sold by public auction or destroyed, as determined by the Deputy Postmaster-General.

Return of undeliverable parcels to senders.

185. (1) If the sender of a pared addressed to a place beyond, the Commonwealth does not indicate on the relative Customs Declaration and on the relative Despatch Note (if any) that he desires the parcel abandoned in the event of its being undeliverable in the country of destination, the parcel, when so undeliverable, may, without previous notification, be returned to him.

(2) Upon the return of a parcel in pursuance of the last preceding sub-regulation or in pursuance of instructions given by the sender, the sender shall pay to the Postmaster-General any charges which shall have accrued in respect of the return of the parcel from the place to which it was addressed, and, upon refusal to do so, shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding Forty shillings.

Despatch of parcels.

186. (1) Parcels intended for despatch by the first outgoing mail shall be posted not later than the hour stipulated by the Department.

(2) Parcels shall be subject to detention at the office of posting or retransmission for later despatch if their transmission by the first outgoing mail would involve delay in the despatch or delivery of letters.

Payment of Customs duty by sender.

187. (1) The senders of parcels to countries with which the necessary arrangements have been made, may undertake to pay the Customs and other charges ordinarily paid by the addressees. In such cases the sender shall 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 shall take place as soon as the amount of the charges due has been ascertained from the country of destination.

(2) Parcels upon which Customs and other charges are paid under the provisions of this Regulation shall be handed in at an official post office or at a post office (which is also a money order office) conducted at a Railway Station.

Rates of postage.

188. (1) The following shall be the rates of postage charged on Inland and Interstate Parcels, and on parcels addressed to Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island, Papua, and New Guinea (formerly German New Guinea):—

(2) Double the rates prescribed by the last preceding sub-Regulation shall be paid on parcels which the senders require to be specially protected in transit through the post.

PART XV.—INSURANCE OF PARCELS.

Parcels addressed to certain countries may be insured.

189. (1) A parcel which complies with the regulations relating to parcels and which is addressed to —

(a) a country with the proper authorities of which the Postmaster-General has entered into an arrangement for the exchange of insured parcels; or

(b) a country to which parcels are ordinarily sent through the intermediary of one of the countries referred to in the last preceding paragraph,

may be insured against loss or damage whilst in transmission through the post.

(2) The fee for insurance shall be that provided for in the relative Parcels Post Agreement and shall be prepaid in postage stamps which the sender of the parcel shall, in addition to the stamps in prepayment of postage, affix to the parcel.

(3) A certificate of insurance, the necessary particulars in which shall, as far as practicable, be inserted by the sender or his representative, shall be issued to the sender of an insured parcel.

Parcels must not be over-insured.

190. A parcel shall not be insured for a sum in excess of the real value of the contents, and an invoice, or description of such contents, showing the value of each article contained in the parcel, shall be enclosed therein.

Insured articles must be properly packed.

191. (1) To be eligible for insurance a parcel shall be packed as prescribed in Part V. of these Regulations and shall be secured in such manner that it cannot be tampered with without leaving obvious traces of violation. Any label affixed shall be so placed that it does not serve to conceal injury to the cover and shall not be folded over two sides of the cover so as to hide the edge.

(2) Jewellery, watches (except those in nickel or other base metal covers), or any article of gold or silver shall be enclosed in a strong box or case, which shall be securely fastened in a wrapper of linen, canvas, strong paper or other substantial material. The address shall be written on the cover of the parcel.

(3) If a parcel tendered for insurance does not, in the opinion of the officer to whom it is presented, fulfil the conditions prescribed by this Regulation, the officer shall refuse to insure it.

Compensation.

192. (1) Where the Postmaster-General is satisfied that an insured parcel was lost or the contents or portion thereof, were lost or damaged while the parcel was in course of transmission through the post, compensation shall be paid for such loss or damage to an amount representing the actual loss or damage sustained but not exceeding the amount for which the parcel was insured:

Provided that compensation shall not be payable—

(a) where, in the opinion of the Postmaster-General, the loss or damage arose wholly or in part from an Act of God, or the King’s enemies, or from causes beyond control (e.g., tempest, shipwreck, earthquake, &c.), or from any defect in the packing or fastening (and in this regard the acceptance of a pared for insurance shall not be construed as an admission by the Postmaster-General that such parcel was properly packed at the time of acceptance);

(b) where the parcel was insured for an amount in excess of the value of its contents;

(c) unless application for compensation be made within twelve months after the date of posting of the insured parcel;

(d) in respect of an insured parcel containing anything prohibited from transmission through the post; or

(e) in respect of an insured parcel which has been delivered without external trace of injury or which has been accepted by the addressee without remark or complaint as to its condition.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Regulation, compensation in respect of insured parcels containing liquids or semi-liquids, perishable articles such as eggs, butter, fruit, flowers, or confectionery, and fragile articles such as glassware, phonograph records, or millinery shall be payable only in the event of the loss of the entire parcel.

(3) The application for compensation may be made to the Postal Administration of either the country of origin or delivery.

(4) An applicant for compensation shall, when required, produce the certificate of insurance of the parcel in respect of which compensation is applied for.

Final decision.

193. The final decision on all questions of compensation shall rest with the Postal Administration of the country in which the loss or damage has taken place.

Re-direction of insured parcels.

194. (1) Insured parcels shall be redirected only to places within the Commonwealth or to countries to which insured parcels may be sent.

(2) When an insured parcel is redirected from one country to another, a fresh insurance fee shall be payable in respect of each fresh transmission.

Complaints.

195. In the event of the addressee desiring to report that the contents or portion of the contents of an insured parcel delivered to him have been lost or damaged in the post, he shall forthwith submit the parcel, as nearly as possible in the condition in which it was received from the office of delivery, for examination by the postmaster or some other responsible officer at the office of delivery.

Invalid insurance.

196. Any insurance effected under these Regulations contrary to the provisions thereof shall be invalid.

Regulations relating to uninsured parcels applicable to insured parcels.

197. Where not repugnant to the provisions of this Part, the regulations relating to uninsured parcels shall also apply to insured parcels.

PART XVI.—CASH-ON-DELIVERY POST.

Definitions.

198. In this Part of these Regulations, unless the contrary intention appears:—

“Cash-on-delivery parcel” means a postal article upon the delivery of which a sum of money specified by the sender is collected from the addressee and remitted to the sender;

“Cash-on-delivery office” means a post office in the Commonwealth at which cash-on-delivery parcels may be posted and are delivered.

Extent of cash-on-delivery service.

199. (1) Subject to the next succeeding sub-Regulation the use of the cash-on-delivery system shall be restricted to—

(a) articles posted in the Commonwealth for transmission by parcels post to cash-on-delivery offices;

(b) articles posted in the Commonwealth for transmission by parcels post to countries or territories with the proper authorities of which the Postmaster-General has concluded an arrangement for the exchange of cash-on-delivery parcels; and

(c) articles posted in the countries or territories referred to in the last preceding sub-paragraph for transmission to cash-on-delivery offices in the Commonwealth.

(2) A cash-on-delivery parcel addressed to a place in the Commonwealth where there is no cash-on-delivery office shall be transmitted to the cash-on-delivery office nearest to such place, and upon the sum specified by the sender being remitted to such office the parcel shall be forwarded as an ordinary parcel to its destination.

Articles transmissible as cash-on-delivery parcels.

200. Any article which is eligible for transmission by post and the contents of which are sent in execution of a bona fide order shall be transmitted as a cash-on-delivery parcel upon the following conditions:—

(a) The article shall be posted by being handed to an officer at the counter of a cash-on-delivery office;

(b) The prescribed commission for the cash-on-delivery service shall be paid in postage stamps affixed to the article in addition to stamps in prepayment of postage at the rate prescribed for panels, or, where the article is a letter, at the rate prescribed for parcels or letters whichever is the greater; and

(c) The sender shall fill in, in the manner required by the Postmaster-General; a cash-on-delivery label and a registration form and shall sign a certificate appearing upon such form that the contents of the article are sent in execution of a bona fide order. The label shall be affixed by the sender to the article and the registration form shall be handed in with the article. The counterfoil of the registration form shall be signed by the officer accepting the article and returned to the sender as a receipt.

Commission.

201. The commission (which includes a registration fee of Threepence) payable in respect of a cash-on-delivery parcel posted in the Commonwealth shall be in accordance with the following scale:—

Delivery of cash-on-delivery parcels free of charges.

202. If after posting a cash-on-delivery parcel the sender desires the parcel to be delivered to the addressee, free of all charges, he shall make application in writing to the Deputy Postmaster-General, or to the postmaster at the office at which the pared was posted, and such application shall be accompanied by the official receipt for the parcel given at the time of posting. The sender shall also pay the cost of any telegrams, telephone messages, or letters necessary to give effect to the application. If the foregoing conditions be complied with the application shall be granted, provided it is received in time to permit of communication being made to the delivering office before delivery of the parcel has been effected.

Delivery of cash-delivery parcels.

203. (1) Except as provided in sub-Regulation (2) of Regulation 109 of these regulations, a cash-on-delivery parcel shall be delivered at the cash-on-delivery office nearest the address, to the addressee or a person authorized in writing by the addressee to receive it, upon payment of the sum specified by the sender to be collected on delivery.

(2) A cash-on-delivery parcel shall not be opened or examined by the addressee or his agent before payment of the sum specified.

Undelivered cash-on-delivery parcels.

204. (1) A cash-on-delivery parcel, delivery of which is refused by the addressee, shall be returned to the sender forthwith.

(2) A cash-on-delivery parcel on which is endorsed by the sender a request for return to him if not delivered within a specified time, not being less than fourteen days or more than one month, shall if it is undelivered at the expiration of the period specified in the endorsement be returned to the sender forthwith.

(3) Except as hereinbefore provided a cash-on-delivery parcel shall be held at the disposal of the addressee for a period of one month calculated from the date of the receipt of the parcel at the delivering office, and if at the expiration of such period delivery has not been taken, the parcel shall be returned to the sender.

(4) No charge shall be made for the return of an undelivered cash-on-delivery parcel to the sender, but upon such return the sender shall give a receipt for the parcel in the required form.

Refunds not to be made.

205. Under no circumstances shall any portion of the postage or commission paid in respect of a cash-on-delivery parcel be refunded.

Statements may be obtained.

206. (1) Upon receipt of a written application from the sender together with an undertaking to pay a fee of Threepence for each parcel in respect of which enquiry is made, particulars of the delivery of cash-on-delivery parcels and of the payment made thereon, or a list of undelivered cash-on-delivery parcels and of the amounts outstanding thereon, shall be furnished to the applicant.

(2) If in respect of any cash-on-delivery parcel mentioned in the statement or list supplied to the applicant an error or omission has occurred and such error or omission is due to a fault on the part of the Department, the fee paid in accordance with this regulation in respect of such parcel may be refunded.

Part XVII.—Money Orders.

Remitter and payee.

207. In this Part of these Regulations, unless the contrary intention appears—

“the remitter” means the person who remits money by means of a money order or a telegraph money order;

“the payee means the person to whom a money order or money remitted by means of a telegraph money order is payable.

Hours.

208. Money orders shall be issued and paid at post offices at which money-order business is transacted at such hours as are determined by the Postmaster-General.

Authority to Issue.

209. Money orders shall be issued and sold only by persons authorized in that behalf by the Postmaster-General.

Commission.

210. The rates of commission chargeable for the issue of money orders shall be—

For orders payable in—

The Commonwealth: 6d. for each £5 or fraction of £5.

Papua, Rabaul (New Guinea). Nauru, Fiji, New Catalonia 3d. for each £1 or fraction of £1, with minimum of 6d.

For orders payable in or through—

New Zealand: 3d. for each £1 or fraction of £1, with minimum of 6d.

Canada, Ceylon, Dutch East Indies, Egypt, Federated Malay States, Germany, Gilbert and Ellice Islands, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Malta, Mauritius, North Borneo, Norway, Solomon Islands, Straits Settlement, Tonga, Union of South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America (including Hawaii, and Pago Pago): 4d. for each £1 or fraction of £1 for the first £6; and 3d. for each additional £1 or fraction of £1, with minimum of 9d.

Philippine Islands; 6d. for each £1 or fraction of £1, with minimum of 9d.

For Maternity Allowance money orders—2d. for each order.

Fractions of a penny not allowed.

211. A money order shall not be issued for an amount which includes a fraction of a penny.

Applications for issue.

212. Applications for issue of money orders shall be made in the form required by the Postmaster-General and shall contain such information as the Postmaster-General considers necessary.

Telegraph money orders.

213. Remittances may be made by telegraph money orders from post offices in the Commonwealth at which money order and telegraph business is transacted—

(a) for payment at other post offices in the Commonwealth at which such business is transacted; and

(b) for payment in countries with the postal administration of which the Postmaster-General has concluded an arrangement for the exchange of telegraph money orders.

Charges for telegraph money orders.

214. The charges for a telegraph money order payable by the remitter shall be—

(a) the commission prescribed by regulation 210 of these Regulations;

(b) the charge for the official telegram of advice; and

(c) any delivery, notification or other fee provided for in an arrangement made between the Postmaster-General and the authorities controlling the issue and payment of money orders in the country or territory in which the telegraph money order is payable.

Remitter to send telegram to payee.

215. (1) A remitter of money by means of a telegraph money order payable within the Commonwealth shall hand to the officer receiving the money for remittance a telegram for transmission to the payee, at the cost of the remitter, stating the amount remitted and the name of the office at which such amount is payable.

(2) Where such telegram is to be delivered at a post office, the delivering officer shall satisfy himself, as far as is practicable, that the person applying for the telegram is the person for whom it is intended.

(3) The person to whom such telegram is delivered shall give a receipt for the telegram by writing his name and address in a book kept at the post office for the purpose.

(4) The procedure prescribed by sub-regulations (2) and (3) of this regulation shall also be observed in connexion with the departmental notification to the payee of a telegraph money order issued at a place beyond the Commonwealth when such notification is delivered at a post office.

Payment of money orders.

216. (1) Payment of a money order shall be made only to—

(a) the payee; or

(b) a person presenting the money order signed by the payee:

Provided that a money order not so signed may be paid to a person presenting the money order, together with a written authority to receive payment signed by the payee.

(2) Such written authority shall bear—

(i) the signature and address of a witness to the payee’s signature;

(ii) the name and address of the person authorized to receive payment; and

(iii) the date upon which the authority was given.

(3) A person receiving payment of a money order shall give a receipt therefor in the form required by the Postmaster-General.

Application for payment.

217. (1) A person applying for payment of a money order shall state the name of the remitter and, if he is not personally known to the paying officer, his own name.

(2) In the case of a telegraph money order, if the person applying for payment is not known to the paying officer, such officer shall by inquiry satisfy himself as to the identify of such person and, if necessary, may require the person applying for payment to produce proof that he is the person entitled to receive payment of the money order.

Penalty for personator of payee &c.

218 (1) Any person who—

(a) personates any other person for the purpose of obtaining any money order or for the purpose of obtaining payment of any money order;

(b) makes any untrue statement to an officer for the purpose of obtaining payment of a money order; or

who, without lawful authority (proof where of shall lie upon him)—

(i) receives or retains in his possession any money order to which he is not entitled;

(ii) produces to an officer for the purpose of obtaining payment thereof any money order to which he is not entitled;

(iii) obtains payment of a money order to which he is not entitled;

(iv) signs the name of any other person on any money order or to any receipt for the money payable in respect or any money order; or

(v) issues or sells a money order,

shall be guilty of an offence.

Penalty: £50.

(2) This regulation shall not affect the liability of any person to be proceeded against for any other offence either against Commonwealth law or State law, but so that, such person shall not be liable to be punished twice in respect of the same offence.

(3) In this regulation “Money order” means any money order or postal note issued under the Act and includes any telegram or document by means of which money may be transmitted and paid through the Postmaster-General’s Department.

Money orders may be crossed.

219. Money orders, other than telegraph money orders exchanged with the United Kingdom, may be crossed for payment through a bank, in which case they shall not be paid unless besides being signed by the payee they be presented by a bank official, and bear an impression of the bank’s stamp:

Provided, however; that should a bank refuse to accept without charge a crossed money order, such order may, on presentation at the post office on which it has been issued, be paid if signed, by the person or firm to whom it is made payable.

Money orders not to be cancelled.

220. A money order once issued shall not be cancelled.

Repayment, alteration, and transfer.

221 (1) Upon application in writing by the remitter and upon payment of the prescribed fee—

(a) repayment may be made to the remitter;

(b) an error in the name of the remitter or payee may be corrected; or

(c) payment may be transferred to an office other than that upon which the money order was originally drawn.

(2) The fee, which shall be paid at the time the application is lodged, shall in the case of an alteration or correction of the name of the payee or remitter be Sixpence, and in the case of repayment of the money order or transfer of payment be a sum equivalent to the commission chargeable on a money order for the same amount:

Provided that in the case of alteration of the name of the payee on two or more orders from the same remitter to the same payee, issued at the same time and bearing consecutive numbers, only one fee of Sixpence shall be charged in respect of the whole amount remitted by means of such orders.

(3) Where the remitter of money by means of a telegraph money order requires an alteration in the name of the remitter or payee to be made by telegraph, he shall either produce the receipt issued by the Department at the time the money was accepted for remittance or be identified as the remitter to the satisfaction of the Postmaster. He shall also pay the cost of the necessary telegram in addition to the prescribed fee.

Transfer at request of payee.

222. Transfer of payment of a money order from the post office on which such money order was originally drawn to another post office in

the Commonwealth at which money order business is transacted may be arranged at the request of the payee on the following conditions:—

(a) Application for the transfer shall be made by the payee in writing and shall contain the names of the payee and the remitter.

(b) The application shall be accompanied—

(i) in the case of a money order, other than a telegraph money order, by the money order correctly receipted by the payee, and by a sum equivalent to commission at the prescribed rate for a money order of the same amount; or

(ii) in the case of a telegraph money order, payment of which it is desired to transfer by telegraph, by the telegram from the remitter to the payee duly endorsed by the payee; the cost of the official telegram of advice; the cost of a telegram to the payee at the new address, and a sum equivalent to the commission at the prescribed rate for a money order of the same amount;

Provided that the charges prescribed by this Regulation shall, if not prepaid, be deducted from the amount of the money order at the time of payment:

Provided further that in cases of urgency an application for transfer by telegraph of a telegraph money order may be made by telegraph.

Stoppage of payment.

223. Upon application being made in writing to the Postmaster at the office at which the order is payable and upon payment of a fee of Sixpence, payment of a money order payable in the Commonwealth may be stopped.

Issue of duplicate money order.

224. If a money order payable in the Commonwealth be lost or destroyed a duplicate may be obtained upon application being made to the Chief Money Order Office in the State of payment and upon payment of a fee of Sixpence.

Compensation not payable.

225. (1) Compensation shall not be payable for any alleged loss or injury arising from the non-payment of a money order at the expected time.

(2) After a money order has been paid by the Department, the Postmaster-General shall not be liable for any further payment whatsoever.

Holding of money orders.

226. If payment of a money order, whether issued in the Commonwealth or elsewhere, be not obtained before the expiration of twelve calendar months after the month in which it was issued, all claim to the money shall be lost;

Provided that when good reason can be given for delay in presenting the order for payment, an application for payment, subject to a deduction at the rate of Sixpence for every Five pounds or fraction of Five pounds, may be granted.

Exchanges with other countries.

227. The conditions other than those prescribed in these Regulations under which money orders shall be exchanged between the Commonwealth of Australia and other countries or territories shall be those provided for in the arrangements concluded between the Postmaster-General and the authorities controlling the issue and payment of money orders in such other countries or territories.

Part XVIII.—Postal Notes.

Hours of issue and payment of postal notes.

228. Postal notes shall be issued and paid at such post offices in the Commonwealth and during such hours as are determined by the Postmaster-General.

Authority to issue and sell.

229. Postal notes shall be issued and sold only by persons authorized in that behalf by the Postmaster-General.

Unlawful issue or sale—Penalty.

230. Any person who without lawful authority (proof whereof shall be upon him) issues or sells a postal note shall be guilty of an offence:

Penalty: £50.

Denominations and poundage.

231. The denominations of postal notes issued, and the poundage chargeable thereon, shall be as follow:—

Names of payee, &c. may be inserted.

232. (1) The name of the person to whom it is desired payment shall be made may be inserted in a postal note in the space provided for that purpose, in which case the note shall be receipted by such person, and if it be presented for payment by any other person other than a bank official, he shall also receipt the note.

(2) If a postal note be made payable to a firm or company the ordinary business stamp of the firm or company shall, when request to that effect has been made in writing, be accepted as a sufficient receipt.

(3) The name of a money order or postal note office at which it is desired payment shall be made may be inserted in a postal note in the space provided for the purpose, in which case the note shall, except as provided in regulation 234, be payable at that office only.

Postal notes not filled in.

233. If the spaces provided in a postal note for name of payee and paying office be not filled in, 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 note:

Provided that such postal note may be paid without signature if it is presented by a bank official and bears an impression of the bank’s stamp.

Postal notes may be crossed.

234. (1) A postal note may be crossed for payment through a bank in which case it shall not be paid unless it be presented by a bank official and bears an impression of the bank’s stamp.

Provided that should a bank refuse to accept without charge a crossed postal note such postal note may be paid notwithstanding that it be not presented by a bank official.

(2) A postal note crossed for payment through a bank 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.

Non-liability of Postmaster-General after payment.

235. After a postal note has been paid by the Department the Postmaster-General shall not be liable for any further payment whatsoever.

Payment after six months.

236. (1) A postal note presented for payment after six months from the last day of the month of issue shall not be paid until reference has been made to the Chief Money Order Office of the State of issue, and shall then be paid only on payment by the payee of a fee equivalent to the amount of the original poundage.

(2) Such fee shall be paid in postage stamps affixed to the face of the note.

Alterations, erasures, &c., not permitted.

237. If a postal note contain any alteration or erasure, or be cut, defaced, or mutilated, payment may be refused.

Supply of information.

238. Information regarding the payment of postal notes shall where the denominations and numbers of the notes are given, be furnished on payment of a fee of 3d. in respect of each note:

Provided that where the inquiry relates to two or more notes of the same denomination with consecutive numbers only one fee shall be payable.

Part XIX.—Miscellaneous.

Information containing postal articles, &c., not to be given

239. Information shall not be given respecting postal articles which pass through a post office except to the persons to whom they are addressed; and in no way shall information of a private character coming to the knowledge of a postmaster or other employee in the course of his official duties be made public:

Provided that a postmaster may give information as to an address if he has no reason to believe that the person whose address it is would disapprove of his doing so.

Information as to financial position of persons, &c.

240. Except under the directions of the Deputy Postmaster-General a postmaster or other employee shall not supply information regarding the financial position of any person, firm or company.

Giving of damage not compulsory.

241. It shall not be compulsory for post office officials 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 shall be considered after it has been removed from the counter.

Weighing of postal articles.

242. It shall not be compulsory for post office officials to weigh postal articles for the public if their duties are impeded by so doing:

Provided that parcels shall be tested both as to weight and size before being accepted.

Articles forwarded under cover to postmaster.

243. If a postal article be forwarded under cover to a postmaster with a request that he will repost it at his office, the article, on being reposted, shall be endorsed with the words “Posted at………… under cover to the postmaster at               ”

Mail contractors to receive and deliver correspondence.

244. (1) Mail contractors are required to receive (beyond a mile from a post office) correspondence intended for delivery along their line of route.

(2) If fully prepaid and for delivery before a post office is reached, the mailman shall cancel the stamps, by crossing them with ink, or in some other effective manner.

(3) If the correspondence be unpaid or insufficiently prepaid, it shall not be delivered, but posted at the next post office on the line of route, whence it shall be despatched to destination charged with double the deficiency, to be collected on delivery.

(4) All correspondence so received shall bear an endorsement by the mailman indicating the particular point on the road at which it was received.

Carriage of articles by mail contractors.

245. Mail contractors shall not carry, or permit their servants or passengers to carry, any letter or packet to the prejudice of the post office revenue.

Addressing of postal articles.

246. (1) Every postal article shall be legibly addressed in writing or printing running parallel to the length of the cover, leaving a clear space above the address sufficient to accommodate the postage stamps and postmarks.

(2) Nothing shall be written, printed or placed on the address side of a postal article which is likely to impede its treatment by postal officials. A postal article may be deemed to contravene this Regulation if matter such as advertisements, pictorial representations; ornamentations and such like additions (other than headings which leave sufficient space for the postage stamps and postmarks) extends beyond the left half of the envelope cover or wrapper.

Withdrawal of postal articles.

247. (1) Except as otherwise provided in these Regulations, a postal article shall not be returned to the sender, nor withheld from due transmission to its destination according to the address appearing thereon, nor delivered to any person other than the addressee, without either the consent in writing of the addressee or the direction in writing of the Postmaster-General.

(2) In cases where the sender applies for the withdrawal of a postal article before delivery to the addressee, the Postmaster-General may give the necessary direction in writing if he considers the reasons for withdrawal are satisfactory.

(3) The applicant for withdrawal of a postal article, in accordance with this Regulation, shall pay a fee of One shilling, and, in addition, the cost of any necessary telegrams.

Mail notice.

248 (1) One copy of the Departmental Mail Notice, which is published periodically by the Deputy Postmaster-General, shall be supplied on payment of a subscription as follows:—

(a) If placed in the subscriber’s private box

or called for at the General Post Office 5s. per annum

(b) If delivered by postman..............10s. per annum

(2) Subscribers shall pay in advance the subscription, calculated at the annual rate from the first day of the month in which the supply will commence to the end of December following. Thereafter the annual renewal subscription shall fall due on the first day of January in each year and shall be paid within fourteen days from that date.

Mails by non-contract vessels—payment.

249. The rates of payment to masters of vessels for the carriage of mails in cases not provided for by contract shall be as follow:—

(a) In harbours and on rivers—

Letters and post cards..............8d. per lb.

Other articles ...................1s. 4d. per cwt.

(b) Otherwise to places within the Commonwealth—

Letters and post cards .............1s. 4d. per lb.

Other articles...................2s. 8d. per cwt.

(c) To places beyond the Commonwealth—

Letters and post cards .............2s. per lb.

Other articles ...................4s. per cwt.

Postponement, &c., of department of non-contract vessel—notices.

250. The notices required to be given by masters of vessels pursuant to sub-section (2) of section 71, and to section 72 of the Act, shall be in writing.

Letter containing articles liable to Customs duty.

251. (1) Any letter

(а) received from a place beyond the Commonwealth, or

(b) posted at any post, office within the Commonwealth,

which is suspected to contain any article on which Customs duty is payable, or any article the importation of which is prohibited, shall before delivery be opened by the addressee or his representative for examination by an officer of Customs.

(2) If it is found to contain any article on which Customs duty is payable, the duty thereon as assessed by the officer of Customs shall be paid before the letter is delivered to the addressee.

(3) If it is found to contain an article the importation of which is prohibited, it shall be handed to the officer of Customs to be dealt with according to law.

(4) Any letter received from a place beyond the Commonwealth bearing on its cover a label affixed by the sender indicating that the letter contains an enclosure which is or may be subject to Customs duty and also that the letter may be officially opened, shall be opened by a postal official for examination by an officer of the Customs and the duty thereon as assessed by the officer of the Customs shall be paid before the letter is delivered to the addressee.

Mail matter other than letters containing dutiable articles.

252. Any postal article not being a letter—

(a) received from a place beyond the Commonwealth, or

(b) posted at any post office within the Commonwealth,

which is suspected to contain any article on which Customs duty is payable, may be opened for examination, and if it is found to contain any such article, the duty thereon as assessed by an officer of Customs shall be paid before the postal article is delivered to the addressee.

Disposal of certain articles.

253. Any postal article containing any article forwarded in contravention of any Customs Act or regulation thereunder shall be forwarded to the Collector of Customs to be dealt with according to law.

Seizure of goods.

254. Nothing in these Regulations shall prejudice or prevent the taking of any proceedings or the seizure or forfeiture of any goods for any contravention of any Customs Act or regulation thereunder.

Loitering in post offices.

255. Any person who loiters in a post, office or telegraph office shall be guilty of an offence against these Regulations, and shall be liable, on conviction, to a penalty not exceeding £5, and any person found so loitering may be ejected.

Production of documents in legal proceedings.

256. (1) If any person who is a party in any legal proceedings between private litigants, or the solicitor of that person, desires the production of an official document as evidence in the proceedings, the person or his solicitor may make application on Form A or Form B set out hereunder, whichever is appropriate to the circumstances, to the Deputy Postmaster-General in whose custody the document is, for the production of the document:—

FORM A.

In the Court

at

19 No.

Plaintiff.

and

Defendant.

Whereas an action is now pending in the Court of   at   in the State of                                                        in which                                          is plaintiff and                                          is defendant. And whereas it is necessary for the purposes of justice and for the due determination of the matters in dispute between (a)              and (b)                                                        that the documents more particularly described in the Schedule hereunder written should be produced and shown forth on the hearing of the above action.

Now therefore I   as (c)   have the honour to request, and do hereby request, that for the reasons aforesaid and for the assistance of the said Court, you, as the Deputy Postmaster-General of the State of                                          will be pleased to cause the said documents to be produced and shown forth on my behalf at the sittings of the said Court to be holden at              on                                          the day of                                          19              at the hour of                            o’clock in the                            noon, and so from day to day until the above action is tried.

Dated the   day of   19 .

Plaintiff or

Defendant.

To the Deputy Postmaster-General

of the State of

Schedule.

(a) Plaintiff. (b) Defendant. (c) Plaintiff or defendant.

FORM B.

In the Court

at

No.     19

Plaintiff.

and

Defendant.

Whereas an action is now pending in the  Court of at  in the State of               in which his plaintiff, and                            is defendant.

And whereas it has been represented to me as solicitor for the above-named (a)  that it is necessary for the purposes of justice and for the due determination of the matters in dispute between the parties that the documents more particularly described in the Schedule hereunder written should be produced and shown forth on the hearing of the above action.

Now therefore I  as such solicitor as aforesaid have the honour to request, and do hereby request, that for the reasons aforesaid and for the assistance of the said Court; you, as the Deputy Postmaster-General of the State of                            will be pleased to cause the said documents to be produced and shown forth on behalf of                            (a) at the sittings of the said Court to be holden at                            on the                            day of                            19              at the hour of                            o’clock in the                            noon and so from day to day until the above action is tried.

Dated the    day of   19  .

Solicitor, (a)

and Solicitor for the (a)

To the Deputy Postmaster-General

of the State of

(a) Plaintiff or defendant.

Schedule.

(2) If there be no objection on the part of the Department to comply with the application, a notice to that effect shall be forwarded to the person making the application, who shall thereupon pay to the Deputy Postmaster-General—

(a) a fee of One guinea;

(b) a sum sufficient to meet any expenses necessary for the officer searching for or producing the document.

Repeal.

257. Regulations 1 to 308 (both inclusive) of the Post and Telegraph Regulations (Statutory Rules 1913, No. 348, as amended to the date of the commencement of this regulation) are repealed.

By Authority: H. J. Green, Government Printer, Canberra.