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HONGKONG POSTAL GUIDE.
65 -Figures marked on any correspondence in Red merely denote what has been paid, and therefore nothing more should ever be paid on account of such figures.
66.-But figures in black, or blue, denote postage to pay. Thus a red 5 indicates five cents paid, and the addressee has nothing to pay, but a blue or black 5 means that there is five cents yet to pay.
67.—A short-paid letter, directed for a route by which prepayment is compulsory, is returned to the writer (being opened, if necessary, for that purpose) unless there is some other route by which it can be sent. It is not undertaken that such letters will be returned in time to be reposted for the mail. If the writer cannot be found, the letter is advertised as detained for postage and a notice sent to the addressee.
Soldiers' and Sailors' Letters.
68.-Privates in H.M. Army or Navy, Non-commissioned Officers,* Army Schoolmasters (not Superintending or first class), or Schoolmistresses may send half-ounce letters to the United Kingdom by private ship for one penpy, or by Mail Packet for two-pence. Hongkong stamps will prepay this class of correspondence exactly the same as Imperial Stamps.
69. Soldiers' and Sailors' Letters are, however, charged as Ordinary Letters if they do not conform to the following regulations:-
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1.-Not to exceed half an ounce. No double letters are allowed.
2.-If from a soldier or sailor, his class or description must be stated in full on the letter, and the commanding officer must sign his name, with name of regiment, or ship, &c., in full.
3. If to a soldier or sailor, his class or description must be stated in full, with name of
regiment, or ship, &c., in full.
Post Cards.
70.-Two values of Post Cards are issued by the Hongkong Office, as follows:-
For local circulation, i.e., anywhere within the limits of China, Japan, Siam
direct, Cochin-China, Tonquin, or the Philippines‡ To Union Countries generally.
}
1 cent.
3 cents.
71.-Nothing must be written or printed on the stamped side of the card but the address. Any communication whatever, whether of the nature of a letter or not, may be written or printed, or partly written and partly printed on the other side. But no card will be forwarded on which anything libellous, insulting, or indecent has been written, printed, or drawn.
72-Nothing must be attached to a Post Card, nor may it be folded, cut, or otherwise altered. If so, it will be charged as a letter. Thin paper, smaller than the card, may, however, be gummed smoothly on it.
73. No other kind of card can be forwarded through the Post except at letter rates, or at Book rate if the card bears no communication of the nature of a letter.
74.-In regard to hours for posting, late fees, &c., Post Cards are submitted to the same
rules as letters.
75.—A card of insufficient value may be fully prepaid by the addition of an adhesive stamp of proper amount.
76. The officers of the Post Office have strict instructions not to repeat or talk about anything they may see on Post Cards.
Books and Patterns.
77.-Books and patterns are charged at so much per two ounces. The Union rate is 2 cents. 78.-The term books includes all kinds of printedt literary matter, with whatever is necessary for its illustration or safe transmission, as maps, rollers, binding, &c., but a book must contain no communication whatever of the nature of a letter. Stamps of any kind, whether obliterated or not, or any papers representing monetary value, such as coupons, drafts, lottery tickets, &c., must be sent at letter rates.
79.-A book may contain an inscription presenting it, notes or marks referring to the text, or such writing as With the author's compliments, &c.
80.-Proofs, or corrected proofs, with or without manuscript attached, may also be forwarded at Book rates, but press copies (made with the copying press) come under the heading of Commercial Papers.
81.-A Postmaster may open any book packet, and it is his duty to open a certain number by every mail. What becomes of books into which presents, &c., have been inserted may be learnt from paragraph 95. The packet must be open at the ends, and the contents visible, or easily to be rendered visible.
82. It is absolutely necessary that the wrappers of books sent through the post be stout and well fastenet, otherwise the books will probably never reach the addressees. No hand- somely bound book should be sent through the post, (unless its being spoiled is of no consequence) except, protected by stout wooden boards, larger than the book itself, and firmly tied with strong string. Books to the value of $1 and upwards, when addressed to the United States, are gene- rally liable to Customs duties.
83.-There is no such thing as Parcel Post to Europe, &c. Much trouble and disappointment are
* But not warrant officers, viz., assistant engineer, gunner, boatswain, or carpenter.
+ Copying from a gelatine pad is taken to be printing, but press copying is writing.
As to using these cards for the purpose of obtaining acknowledgments of posting, see note to par. 25.
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