Directory_and_Chronicle_1922 — Page 484

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HONGKONG POSTAL GUIDE

126.-If an article bearing the word "Registered" or any other word, phrase, or mark to the like effect, or a Registration envelope intended by the sender to go forward as an ordinary letter, be dropped into a letter box it will, if directed to any place at which delivery can be made by Hongkong or by the British Post Office Agencies in China, be compulsorily registered and charged on delivery with a registration fee of 20 cents.

127.-Officers employed in the Registration Department are forbidden to address registered mail matter, to enclose it in the envelope, seal it, or affix the stamps for the public.

128.-Letters, etc., bearing on the outside a declaration of the value of the contents cannot be transmitted by post to places abroad unless they are insured.

129.---All registered letters or packets on being re-directed must be taken back to the Registration Department to be dealt with as registered, and must not be dropped into a letter-box as ordinary letters or packets. If brought later than the day (Sundays and public holidays not being counted) after delivery, a fresh registration fee as well as fresh postage will be required.

Compensation, etc.

130. The Postmaster-General is not legally responsible for the safe delivery of registered correspondence, but will be prepared to make good the value of such correspondence, if lost while passing through the Post, to the extent of 50 francs in certain cases, provided :-

(a) That the sender duly observed all the conditions of registration.

(b) That the correspondence was secured in a reasonably strong envelope. (c) That application was made to the Postmaster-General immediately the loss was discovered, and within a year at the most from the date of posting such correspondence.

(d) That the Postmaster-General is satisfied the loss occurred whilst the corre- spondence was in the custody of the Hongkong Postal Administration, that it was not caused by any fault on the part of the sender, by destruction by fire or shipwreck, nor by the dishonesty or negli- gence of any person not in the employment of the Hongkong Post Office.

131.-No compensation can be paid for mere damage to fragile articles such as portraits, watches, handsomely-bound books, etc., which reach their destination, although in a broken or deteriorated condition; nor on account of alleged losses of the contents of registered covers which safely reached their destinations, nor on account of any article for which the addressee has signed a receipt.

132.-The above two paragraphs apply mutatis mutandis to registered articles which are lost whilst in the custody of other administrations which are parties to the Postal Union (see Appendix I).

133.-The Post Office declines all responsibility for unregistered letters containing bank notes or jewellery, and where registration has been neglected will make no enquiries into alleged losses of such letters.

134.-Enquiry as to the disposal of a registered article will be made free of charge when the sender produces prima facie evidence that it has failed to reach the addressee. When, however, no such evidence is produced, a fee of 10 cents for an acknowledgment of delivery will be required before enquiry is instituted. No fee will be charged for enquiry when the sender has already paid for an acknowledgment of delivery.

Delivery of Registered Correspondence

135.-The signature of the addressee of a registered letter is accepted by the Postmaster-General and delivery effected thereon if he is satisfied that it sufficiently establishes the addressee's identity, but any further proof of identity or guarantee such as a "chop" of a firm of standing known to the Postmaster-General and required by him shall be produced, if necessary, to his satisfaction.

136.-A register of signatures is kept at the General Post Office where any person may register his signature on payment of a fee of $10 per annum, when personal delivery will be made on such signature at the General Post Office.

137.-Receipts for registered letters addressed to a firm must be signed with the name of some individual for that firm, and not simply with the name of the firm itself.