Directory_and_Chronicle_1922 — Page 487

HONGKONG POSTAL GUIDE

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143.-In order that a packet may be sent by Parcel Post it must be presented at the counter of a Post Office for transmission as a parcel and must bear the words "Parcel Post" written conspicuously on the upper left-hand corner. It must also bear the name and address of the sender on the bottom left-hand corner of the face of the cover. The parcel should not be left until the weight, size and postage have been tested by the officer who accepts it, and a receipt of its being posted obtained. If a "tie on" label is used, the address must nevertheless be written on the cover as well.

144. A declaration of the contents must be made out on the form provided for that purpose, which should be affixed to the parcel.

145.-If

145. If a packet, which either bears the words "Parcel Post "or from its appearance seems to be intended for transmission as a parcel, is not posted in accordance with these regulations it is treated as a letter if it is fully prepaid at the letter rates and if other- wise in accordance with the Letter Post regulations. If such parcel is not fully prepaid at the Letter rate it will be returned to the sender.

146.-Parcels for Europe and America must be posted before 5 p.m. on the work- ing day next before the departure of the steamer.

147.-Parcels containing coin, any articles of gold or silver, or any article of value cannot be sent by Parcel Post to the United Kingdom, any Foreign country or British possession included in the insurance system (for list of such places see paragraph 176), unless they are insured for at least part of their value.

Directions as to Packing

148.-Parcels containing any fragile or perishable article must be so packed as to ensure their safe handling and their causing no injury or damage to the mails.

149.-Parcels generally must be so packed and enclosed in a reasonably strong case, wrapper, or cover, fastened in a manner calculated to preserve the contents from loss or damage in the post, and to prevent any tampering therewith. The packing of a parcel must also be such as to protect other postal packets from being damaged in any way by it. Any parcel not so packed will, if tendered for transmission, be refused, and if dis- covered in transit will be liable to be detained.

150-Parcels for Greece, Persia, Roumania and Russia must be packed in some material stronger than paper or cardboard. No compensation is paid for damage to articles insufficiently packed.

15. For parcels containing liquids and substances which easily liquify the following method should be adopted: Two receptacles should be used, and between the inner one, which contains the liquid, and the outer one, which should be of wood or metal, space should be left all round, and this space should be filled with bran sawdust, or other absorbent material.

Forbidden Articles

152.-No article may be sent by Local or Foreign Parcel Post with any enclosure which bears an address different from that placed on the cover of the parcel.

153. No letter, even if addressed in the same way as the parcel in which it is enclosed, may be sent in a parcel addressed to any Foreign Country or to Australia, British Central Africa, The Union of South Africa, Fiji, Jamaica, Mauritius, New Zealand, Seychelles, Straits Settlements, Trinidad. Parcels for other British possessions may contain a letter for the addressee, but packets of letters must not be sent by Parcel Post to any place abroad. An invoice in an open envelope, giving simply particulars of the goods contained in the parcel, may be enclosed in any parcel.

154. It is forbidden to send by post opium, morphine, cocaine and other narcotics, except in insured parcels accompanied by a permit to export, signed by the superin- tendent of Imports and Exports office. No parcel is admissible which contains base or counterfeit coin, articles infringing trade-mark or copyright laws, any article or substance liable to become offensive or injurious through natural decay during the time ordinarily occupied in transmission (for example, butter, &c., addressed to a tropical or sub-tropical country, or having to pass through the tropics in course of transmission, unless enclosed in a hermetically sealed tin), or any article or substance specially prohibited from importation into the country or colony to which the parcel is addressed. For a list of such special prohibitions see Appendix IV. The Post Office can accept no responsibility for the correctness and completeness of this list, although efforts are made to secure accuracy.

155.-It is pointed out that many perishable articles, even though in good condition at the time of posting, may become offensive and worthless owing to the length of the journey, although delivered in proper course of post.

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