400
HONGKONG POSTAL GUIDE.
pondence delivered by him, whether loose or in the mail. As a general rule, these sums are paid in Hongkong. No more than two years' arrears can be paid.
93. The co-operation of the public is requested on the following points :---
(a.) Distribute your correspondence as evenly as possible between the two mails (English and French). The practice of posting by the English mail only perpetuates in- conveniences to the public which might otherwise be got rid of.
(b.) Post all correspondence as early as possible; and if there is much of it, do not keep all for the last moment, but send off as much as can be got ready, and keep back only what must be kept back.
(c.) Do not attempt, when one contract mail is closing, to post or register correspondence
for the next (see paragraphs 48 and 62).
(d.) Send circulars, newspapers, or prices current, to the post with the addresses all one way, right way up, and as far as possible divided into lots for the different routes, i.e., all those for the United Kingdom together, for the Continent, for Asiatic ports, &c.
Do not mix up letters and printed matter in one confused mass. (e.) Do not post masses of circulars, for different steamers, all mixed up together. (f.) Do not put off the purchase of stamps till mail day. As a general rule, they might
just as well be purchased some days before.
(9.) Do not send coolies with money at the last moment, expecting the Post Office to see that they stamp the correspondence properly, and to return a memo. of the change.
94.-It must be remembered that continual attention is paid in the Post Office to extending the facilities accorded to all. But if individuals decline to exercise the small amount of con- sideration required to comply with the above suggestions, not only is the extension of existing facilities rendered impossible, but even the question is raised whether it is practicable to continue them as they are.
95.-When correspondence is missing, time may be saved by at once sending information to the Postmaster-General, Hongkong, in the following form, or as near it as possible. If full information be not given enquiries cannot be made.
Description....
Containing
Addressed
Posted at
Sender's Name and
Address
nd}
EXAMPLE.
1 ordinary* letter.
Bill of Exchange for £115.
Messrs. Saddler and Thompson, 75, Great Tower Street, London, E.C. Foochow, on the 5th August, 1875, to go via Brindisi.
William Green, Foochow.
Any complaint as to overcharge, delay, missending, &c., must be accompanied by the cover of the correspondence. The public would do well to bear in mind that Överland Envelopes become quite rotten after about two years in this climate, and not infrequently fall to pieces in transit, thus leading to complaints that the letters have been opened.
Hongkong Office.
96.-The Hongkong Office is open from 7 A.M. till 5 P.M. on week days. Mails arriving are distributed up to 9 P.M., or in the case of the British, French, or American Contract Mails out- wards, at any hour of the day or night. The hour at which delivery of a Contract Mail was begun is notified in the public papers as a check upon servants. Those who are at the windows when they are opened are always served within ten minutes at most. The Money Order Office is open from 10 to 4, and 10 to 5 on mail days. It closes at 1 on Saturdays.
97.-The Office is closed on Sundays and Public Holidays, unless there are steamers leaving, when mails are made up from 8 to 9 A.M. Should any one of the outward Contract Mails arrive on Sunday, or in the night, the office is kept open only long enough to get the necessary work done (from one to three hours) and is then closed, all the correspondence being sent out either at once, or the first thing next morning as the case may be.
98.-The following are the hours for closing the contract mails to Europe, &c.:
Previous Day.—
5 P.M., Money Order Office closes. Post Office closes except the Night Box, which
remains open all night.
Day of Departure:-
7 A.M., Post Office opens for sale of Stamps, Registry of Letters, and Posting of all
correspondence.
10 A.M., Registry of Letters ceases. Posting of printed matter ceases.
11 A.M., Post Office closes, except for Late Letters.
11.10 A.M., Letters may be posted with Late Fee of 18 cents extra postage, until
11.30 A.M., when the Post Office closes entirely.
* Or Registered as the case may be. Or 1 Newspaper, Book-packet, or Pattern Pucket, according to the nature of the correspondence missing.