Directory_and_Chronicle_1882 — Page 977

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HONGKONG POSTAL GUIDE.

Kingdom by private ship for one penny, 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:----

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, lute 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 printed+TM 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 earnt 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 fastened, otherwise the books will probably never reach the addressees. No band- 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 Furope, &c. Trouble and disappointment are caused by attempts to send small valuable trifles through the post otherwise than in Letters. Letters containing presents should always be registered. Presents weighing over 7 or 8 ounces are best sent through a parcel agency ‡. No refund can be made on such parcels of the value of stamps obliterated before the nature of the contents was discovered (see also paragraph 4). As to Local Parcel Post see paragraph 101 to 103.

84. Some difficulty is experienced in obtaining a general understanding of what is a pattern. It is a bona fide sample of goods which the sender has for sale, or of goods which he wishes to order. It is to consist of the smallest possible quantity compatible with shewing what the goods are, and must have no intrinsic value.

85.-Pattern packets must be open at the ends. As to opening them see paragraph 81. Tea, seeds, drugs, &c., may be sent in boxes, or in transparent bags. There must be no writing or printing on or in the packet except addresses, trade marks, numbers, and prices. For a list of forbidden articles see paragraphs 4 and 5; for weight, dimensions, &c., paragraph 3.

As to using these cards for the purpose of obtaining acknowledgments of posting, see par. 25. ↑opying from a gelatine pad is taken to be printing, but press copying is writing,

↑ A parcel agency is conducted by Messrs. Lane, Crawford & Co, Hongkong and Slianghai.