Directory_and_Chronicle_1890 — Page 1181

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HONG KONG POSTAL GUIDE.

49.-Pattern packets must be open at the ends. 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, quantities, and prices. For weight, dimensions, &c., see paragraph 5.

Newspapers.

50.-A newspaper is a printed paper containing news. It 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.

51.-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.

52.--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 may, however, be enclosed if the whole be paid at book rate.

53. 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.

Prices Current and Circulars.

54.---A circular is a communication of which copies are addressed, in identical terms or nearly so, to a number of persons. It may be either written or printed, or partly written and partly printed. A price current or circular may be paid as a newspaper or as a book.

55.-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.

56.-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.

57.-Prices Current and Circulars arriving in such large quantities as to retard the delivery of the mails are allowed to stand over till there is time to deal with them.

Requests for Redirection.

58.-Requests for the redirection of correspondence, or to have it stopped in Hongkong, must be in writing. The precise address of the correspondence must be given.

59.-Requests should also state whether private letters or those for the writer's firm are required, and to how many mails the request applies.

60.-When the correspondence is required in Hongkong an address must be given to which it may be sent. Under no circumstances will it be delivered at the Post Office windows. If the applicant persists in applying for it instead of waiting till it is sent to him, his request

will be cancelled.

61.--No notice can be taken of requests sent in after any Mail is signalled with reference to that particular Mail.

62. Requests of a complicated nature cannot be entertained.

63.-Correspondence directed to care of boxholders in Hongkong must, without exception,

be delivered as addressed.

64.-Every request is understood to refer to letters only; papers will not be intercepted unless special reasons be shewn to the satisfaction of the Postmaster General.

65. There is no charge for re-direction of sufficiently prepaid correspondence.

66.-The marine officers are not allowed to deliver correspondence at Singapore. 67.-Letters for a firm will not be intercepted without the written authority of that firm. 68.-Correspondence from the Continent for Northern Ports by French packet cannot be intercepted, nor can that for Yokohama by any Mail.

69.—No request is acted on for more than three months, at the end of which time the correspondence resumes its usual course.

Postage Stamps.

70.-Hongkong Postage Stamps of the following values can be purchased and are available at any British Post Office or Agency in Hongkong or China :—

Post Cards-

1 cent. 3 cents.

2 cents.

5

10

60 cents.

20

30

ور

1 Dollar.

2 Dollars. 3

71.--Postmasters and Agents are allowed (but not required) to purchase Hongkong Postage Stamps from foreign residents.

72.-The Stamps tendered for sale must not exceed $50 in value, must be perfectly clean, and in good condition. They must be presented personally or accompanied by a note.

73. The Postmaster or Agent is allowed to charge a commission of one per cent. on all stamps purchased.

74.-Boxholders are at liberty to mark their Postage Stamps on the back or face, or by perforation so as to prevent their being stolen. It the mark ben the face, it must be such as not to interfere with the clean appearance of the stamp.

75.-Correspondence will not be stamped at the Post Office and charged to a boxholder's account, except as provided by the Local Postage regulations (sce paragraph 93).