Directory_and_Chronicle_1916 — Page 562

HONGKONG POSTAL GUIDE

477

45.-No newspaper and no cover of a newspaper may bear anything (not being part of the newspaper) except the names and addresses of the sender and the addressee, a request for return in case of non-delivery, or the title of the newspaper. If it contains any written communication whatever it will be charged as a letter.

46.-A packet of newspapers must not weigh above 5 lbs. or exceed 2 feet in length by 1 foot in width or depth.

Book Packets and Printed Papers

47. The term "book packet" 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. Stamps of any kind, whether obliterated or not, or any papers representing monetary value, such as coupons, drafts, &c., must be sent at letter rate.

48.-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. Compliments not exceeding five words may be written on visiting cards. In travellers' announcements the place of the intended visit, as well as the date and the traveller's name, may be indicated in writing. Christmas and New Year's cards may bear a written dedication. Titles of books may be written in forms of subscription to libraries, as well as in orders to booksellers; and on newspaper cuttings the addition in manuscript or by a mechanical process, of the title, date, number and address of the publication from which the article is extracted, is permitted.

49.--Mechanical reproductions (not less than twenty) of a inanuscript or typewrit- ten original may pass as printed papers if handed in at the Post Office counter.

50.-Albums containing photographs may pass as printed papers.

51. The packet must be open at the ends and the contents visible, or easily to be rendered visible. Packets which are sealed or forwarded in closed covers with the corners cut off or with notched ends will be taxed and sent forward as ordinary correspondence. Packets may be tied with string to protect the contents, but in such a way that the string can be easily untied.

52. The weight of a book packet is limited as follows:—

To British offices, 5 lbs.

|

To other offices, 4 lbs.

53.-Book Packets for Non-British offices must not exceed two feet in length or one foot in width or depth. Packets in the form of a roll may not exceed 30 inches in length and 4 inches in diameter, but such objects as maps, pictures, plans, photographs, &c., if made up into rolls of no great thickness and not exceeding 30 inches in length, and 4 inches in diameter, may be so forwarded to any country.

54. The rules applicable to unpaid or insufficiently paid newspapers are equally applicable to book packets and commercial papers.

55.-Book packets which do not accord with regulations are returned to senders. 56.-The undermentioned articles are excluded from transmission at the rate applicable to printed papers :—

Postage stamps, whether obliterated or not, and in general all printed articles constituting the sign of a monetary value, Bank paper, note paper or envelopes (with or without printed address) and all other articles of stationery pure and simple.

57.—The products of the copying press and typewriter are not admitted at the rate for printed papers nor, as a rule, are printed papers, the text of which has been modified after printing either by hand or by means of a mechanical process, so as to constitute a conventional language. But the following exceptions are allowed :--

(a) Printed circulars may be dated in manuscript or by a mechanical process and the signature of the sender, his trade or profession, and his address may be added. (4) On printed visiting cards the address or title of the sender, or conventional initials, such as "p.p.c.," may be written, and also good wishes, con- gratulations, thanks, condolences, or other formulas of courtesy, expressed in not more than five words.

(c) On printed circulars corrections and insertions may be made in manuscript or by a mechanical process in regard to names of commercial travellers, dates of their journey, and the places they intend to visit, dates of departure of ship, names or persons invited to meetings, and the place, date and object of the meetings.