396
HONGKONG POSTAL GUIDE.
40.-The Post Office then undertakes the duty of obtaining notice of departure and despatch- ing the correspondence. Such letters should be posted it possible at least one day before sailing.
Posting.
41.—Boxholders are allowed to post their correspondence in sealed boxes, which should be eloped with some recognisable seal. The safest plan is to seal on the box itself, without tape or string, the old wax being removed before more is applied. Locked boxes cannot be allowed.
42.—A receipt book should be sent with each box, but as the receiving officer cannot under- inke to count the correspondence sent, Lo only gives a receipt for One Box.
43.—No attention is promised to anything written in the book, To be Registered, for instance. 44.-Loose receipts give much extra trouble, and are not recommended.
45.-The back leaves of the Receipt Book should be fastened down, sa coolies not infrequently waste some minutes in endeavours to hud the place.
4.-Contrary to general usage the Hongkong Post Office will give a receipt of this kind for # ordinary letter, to assure the sender his correspondence has not been stolen on the way to the Post. But this receipt is not intended to be used against the Post Office in case the correspondencs gee sir..y. Some low Offices grant acknowledgments of posting on payment of a ballpenny or so for each letter acknowledg d, and even then they decline to admit that any such acknowledg- ment refers to any particular letter. Others have abandoned the practice of giving receipta even on payment. It is obvions therefore that this Office can hantly allow its free roccipta to be used to round complainta on. If that is intended the correspondence should be Registered."
47. —It is strongly recommended that unit books used for sending to the Post Ofies should be set apart for that special duty, and kept distinct from others used for general interouange of notes, &c. This greatly facilitates enquiry in case of correspondeuce being missed, delayed, &a. Such cuit books should be ruled with wide linen.
45.- The Post Office will not give a receipt for the amount of Stamps put on any correspond- ence (Lxcept for purposes of account), nor undertake to see that servants affir the correct amountų mor receive unstamped correspondence in covers with the money enclosed, nor cuarge outward postage to any person's account, except as provided by the Local Poetal &.gulations, paragraph 159. There is no objection to receipting a clit-book for the corres, ondence of a non-toxholder if brought to the proper window, but enit-books in cases or bu̟s should not be sent.
49 —It is particularly requested that circulars, prices current, or newspapers be not mixed op with letters. They should be sout to the Post in vundles, the addresses all one way.
60. Large quantities of newspapers should not be dropped through the letter slits, bat prased into the office (in a box or bag) through the proper window.
51.—The Post Office undertakes no responsibility with regard to correspondence posted in moveable boxes on board Packets. Tuese boxes are established for public convenience, but the correspondence must be regarded as at the sen ler's risk until it actually reaches a Post Office. 5. As to posting correspondence for the United States by sailing ship see paragraph 39. 58.—Any article of correspondence once posted becomes the property of the addressse, and cannot be returned to the sender, nor can it be detained, without the written authority of the Governor of Hongkong or of tier Majesty's Consul at the Port, on an application stating fully the reasons of the request.
Registration.
54.—Every description of paid correspondence may be registered, except such as in addressed to initials or fictitious nanes, or is not properly fastened and secured. The fee is 10 cents. No unpaid or short-paid corr. spondence can be registered except official letters. The sender of any Kegistered article may have a receipt sent with it for signature by the addresses and return, on paying an extra fee of 5 cents. As to Registry of correspondence sent from the Const see par, 27.
55.-Letters to be registered should not be dropped into the box, but should be banded to the receiving officer at the proper window, and a receipt obtained. The hour of registry will be marked on the receipt if specially requested. Whoever presents an article for Registry MUST ASK FOR A BACRIPT. It seems ace ssary to explain that asking for a receipt útekas sayang, want a receipt." Nothing written on the letter or elsewbera can replace this indispensable precaution.
6-Begistration on t be carriel on up to the very moment of closing the mail. The time fixed für sta cessitio.. varies from five minutes up to mu nour before taxḥ tima.
67.-The Post Office is not legally responsible or the safe delivery of Registered Cuiraspond- ence, but will be prepared to make good the con ty of sucu, correspondcute lost walks pasang through the Post, to Lae extent of $10, în ecran cases, provides :
(a) That the sender duŋy ööserved ali toe condit ons of iugistration required. (e) That the correspondene was securely enclosed in a resus-ina ly strong cavalope.
That application was made to the Postmuster Gauneral of ting.ong imusdiately the low was disauruled, and within a year at the most fioin the date of pubung such corr.s, on lance, the envel. pe being invariably forwarded with tɔe sppazestion unless it also is lost.
(d) Tunt the Postmaster General is satisfied the loss occurred whilst the correspondence was in the coutody of the British Postal administration in Unins; tuar 15 was not caused by - by tails on the part of the sender; by destruction by tire, or shipwreck;
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