Directory_and_Chronicle_1883 — Page 588

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HONGKONG POSTAL GUIDE.

39.-When it is desired to forward letters to the United States by a sailing ship not notified as carrying a mail, all that is necessary is to post the letters in the ordinary way, marked with the name of the ship, and prepaid 10 cents per half ounce as usual. The Post Office then under- takes the duty of obtaining notice of departure and despatching the correspondence. Such letters should be posted if possible at least one day before sailing.

West Indies.

40-Practically, all the West India Islands are included in the Postal Union.

Posting.

41.-Correspondence should be posted as early as possible, and if there is much of it, any portion which can be got ready sooner than the rest should be sent off first, so as to post at the last moment only what it is absolutely indispensable to keep open as long as possible.

42.--This is necessary, not only for the convenience of the Postal service, but for that of the public, as, if all correspondence were kept back till the last moment, posting would have to cease considerably earlier than is the case at present.

43.-Early posting should not, however, be carried so far as to throw upon the Post Office masses of correspondence for the Coast, the United States, &c., just when the heavy mails for Europe are being made up. It is not uncommon to see boxes of circulars for the Coast, &c., posted at these times, although no steamer may be leaving. It would require very little trouble and consideration to keep these back till the contract mail should have left.

44.-The same thing applies to the somewhat unreasonable partiality for the English mail exhibited by the public. The French mail being the quicker opportunity, it is difficult to imagine why at least two-thirds of the correspondence forwarded should be kept back for the other, thus throwing a disproportionate amount of work on the Post Office on the very day when there is least time to do it. (See also paragraph 27).

45.-Boxholders are allowed to post their correspondence in sealed boxes, which should be closed 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.

46.-A receipt book should be sent with each box, but as the receiving officer cannot under- take to count the correspondence sent, he only gives a receipt for One Box. No attention is promised to anything written in the book, To be Registered, for instance. Loose receipts give much extra trouble, and are not recommended. The back leaves of the Receipt Book should be fastened down, as coolies not infrequently waste some minutes in endeavours to find the place. 47.-It is strongly recommended that chit books used for sending to the Post Office should be set apart for that special duty, and kept distinct from others used for general interchange of notes, &c. This greatly facilitates enquiry in case of correspondence being missed, delayed, &c. Such chit books should be ruled with wide lines.

48. The Post Office will not give a receipt for the amount of Stamps put on any correspond- ence (except for purposes of account), nor undertake to see that servants affix the correct amount, nor receive unstamped correspondence in covers with the money enclosed, nor charge outward postage to any person's account, except as provided by the Local Postal Regulations, paragraph 159c. There is no objection to receipting a chit-book for the correspondence of a non-boxholder if brought to the proper window, but it is particularly requested that chit-books in cases or bags be not sent.

49. It is particularly requested that circulars, prices current, or newspapers be not mixed up with letters. They should be sent to the Post in bundles, the addresses all one way.

50.-Large quantities of newspapers should not be dropped through the letter slits, but passed 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. These boxes are established for public convenience, but the correspondence must be regarded as at the senler's risk until it actually reaches a Post Office. 52.-As to posting correspondence for the United States by sailing ship see paragraph 39. 53. Any article of correspondence once posted becomes the property of the addressee, and cannot be returned to the sender, nor can it be detained, without the written authority of the Governor of Hongkong or of Her 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 is addressed to initials or fictitious names, or is not properly fastened and secured. The fee is 10 cents. No unpaid or short-paid correspondence can be registered except official letters. The sender of any Registered article may have a receipt sent with it for signature by the addressee and return, on paying an extra fee of 5 cents.

55.-Letters to be registered should not be dropped into the box, but should be handed 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. Merchants or bankers who have several letters to register at once are requested to send a list of the addresses in duplicate, one copy of which is at once signed by the registry clerk as a receipt. Whoever presents an article for Registry MUST ASK FOR A RECEIPT. Nothing written on the letter or elsewhere can replace this indispensable precaution.