Directory_and_Chronicle_1883 — Page 591

corners.

HONGKONG POSTAL GUIDE.

581

86.-Muster tins, when sent in any number, should be flat, not round, and without sharp It is impossible to pack a large number of round tins securely in the mail bags. Á very good size for Tea musters is 4 by 3 by 1 inches. The sample tins made in the United States are, however, far better than anything else for such purposes.

Commercial Papers.

87.-The distinction between Books and Commercial Papers (papiers d'affaires) is, that whilst Book Packets are to consist of printed matter, Commercial Papers are wholly or partly written by hand. They must not be of the nature of an actual or perso il correspondence.

83.—Commercial Papers are such papers as the following:-printers' copy, authors' manu- script; diaries intended for publication or circulation, but not letters in diary forin; press copies of any documents not letters; law papers; deeds; bills of lading; invoices; insurance papers; copied music; &c. The rate is the same as for Books, but no packet of commercial papers, whatever its weight, will be charged less than five cents. 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.

89. Any one Commercial Paper in a Book Packet exposes the whole packet to the above rule as to minimum charge. With this exception all kinds of Printed matter and Patterns may be enclosed in one packet and forwarded at Book rates.

90.-Commercial Papers are subjected to all the conditions of Book Post as to the ends of the Packet being open, liability to examination, &c. But with regard to hours of closing, late fees, &c., Commercial Papers are assimilated to letters.

Newspapers.

91.-A newspaper must not exceed four ounces in weight, or it is liable to an additional rate of postage. It may be prepaid as a book at the option of the sender. The union rate of postage is 2 cents each. The postage of a newspaper from the United Kingdom is 1d., and if only 1d be paid (or the weight of 4 oz. he exceeded) the paper is sent out by Private Steamer, not by the Mail.

92.-A bundle of newspapers may be prepaid at so much each (and each one must count, however small) or the whole may be paid at book rate.

93.-Two newspapers must not be folded together as one, nor must anything whatever be inserted except bona fide supplements of the same paper, and same date. Printed matter way, however, be enclosed if the whole be paid at book rate.

94. A supplement must consist of matter generally similar to that of the newspaper, be published with it, and have the title and date of the paper at the top of each page.

95.-Scarves, gloves, presents, &c., are sometimes enclosed in newspapers. The public should understand that this is dishonest. When such articles are discovered in a newspaper or book, it is charged as an unpaid letter, the double postage charged on delivery often amounting to a very considerable sum.

The

96-A newspaper must be open at the ends. If it contain any written communication whatever it will be charged as a letter. It should be folded with the title outwards. direction should be written on the paper itself, as well as on the cover, in case of the loss of the latter.

97. Much delay and trouble are caused when newspapers or circulars are posted all stuck together, on account of the careless gumming of the covers. Not only are time and care required to separate them, but it generally happens that the stamps adhere to the wet gum on the back of each cover, rather than to their proper places, thus getting lost, and occasioning confusion.

Prices Current and Circulars.

98. A price current or circular may be paid as a newspaper or as a book. A bundle of prices current or circulars may be paid as so many newspapers (each one counting) or the whole may be paid at book rate. The Union rate of postage is 2 cents each. For Natal and the Cape, 5 cents.

99. Prices Current or Circulars forwarded in closed envelopes with the corners cut off, or with notched ends, are charged letter rates, as they are not really open to inspection. Nothing is so good as a wrapper folded round and partly into the circular; it cannot possibly slip off.

(See also paragraph 97).

100.-During the last few hours of closing the mails for Europe, large masses of circulars should not be posted for other steamers. Circulars and Prices Current should not be sent to the Post Office mixed up with letters or newspapers, but in bundles, with the addresses all one way. Local Parcel Post.

101.-Small Parcels may be sent by Post, at Book rates, between Hongkong, China, or Japan. as well as to Macao, Pakhoi, Siam, the Straits Settlements, Ceylon, and India. They must not exceed the following dimensions: 2 feet long, 1 foot broad, 1 fort deep, nor weigh more than 5lbs, Packets smaller than 3 inches, by 2 inches, by 2 inches will not be accepted, The parcels may be wholly closed if they bear this special endorsement, Parcel, containing no letter, but any parcel may be opened by direction of the Postmaster General. Registration of parcels for India, and Ceylon is compulsory.