Directory_and_Chronicle_1892 — Page 37

HONGKONG POSTAL GUIDE

XXV

41.-Nothing must be written or printed on the stamped side of the card but the address, and, if desired, the sender's 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.

42.-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 pasted smoothly on it.

43.---In regard to hours for posting, late fees, &c., Post Cards are submitted to the same rules as letters.

44.—A card of insufficient value may be fully prepaid by the addition of an adhesive stamp of proper amount.

Books and Patterns.

45.-Books and patterns are charged at so much per two ounces The Union rate

is 2 cents.

46.-The term books includes almost all kinds of printed or written matter not of the nature of an actual or personal correspondence, 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. Printers' copy; authors' manuscripts; diaries, but not letters in diary form; press copies of any documents not letters; law papers; deeds; bills of lading; invoices; insurance papers; copied music; &c., may all be sent at Book rates. But 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.

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47.-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.

48. The packet must be open at the ends, and the contents visible, or easily to be rendered visible. Packets which are sealed are treated as letters even though the ends may be open. Books to the value of $1 and upwards, when addressed to the United States, are generally liable to Customs duties.

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.

63.-A newspaper must be open at the ends. If it contain any written communica- tion 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 Hong- kong, must be in writing. The precise address of the correspondence must be given.