978
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
[No. 55

Certain post-offices specially authorized by the Postmaster-General may be closed during the periods of sorting and despatching mails.

Telegraph.—The hours of attendance at offices where telegraph business is transacted, and a list of these offices, will be found at pages 136–147 of the Postal Guide.

Post Office and Telegraph Holidays.—The statutory post-office and telegraph holidays are New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Queen’s Birthday, Prince of Wales’s Birthday, and Christmas Day.

Delivery.

Deliveries from office counters, &c., are made from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on week-days, but certain Post Offices specially authorized by the Postmaster-General may be closed during the periods of sorting and despatching mails.

Letter-carriers and messengers are prohibited from distributing any letters, newspapers, &c., except such as have passed through a Post Office. They are not allowed to deliver in the street or elsewhere except at houses or places of business, even to addressees; nor are they allowed to deliver under doors. They are not permitted to receive any payment beyond the postage for the delivery or collection of any letter or newspaper, or to deviate from the route laid down for them. The prohibition, however, from receiving payment in addition to the postage does not extend to Christmas gratuities. For delivery of parcels by parcel post, see regulations under “Inland Parcel Post,” page 88 of the Postal Guide.

No person living within the town free delivery can claim to have his letters delivered at the office if a delivery by letter-carrier is about to take place; but letters which arrive by a mail, after which there is no immediate delivery by letter-carrier, may be obtained by any person on application at the office, so long as it is open for delivery.

Receipts must be given for all registered articles upon delivery thereof.

Letters addressed to the Post Office, or to be kept till called for, may be obtained at the office, except where it is ascertained that it is the practice of persons living within the town delivery to have their letters so addressed, in which cases they will be sent out by letter-carrier. Letters for persons residing beyond any official delivery will be delivered on application at the office. It is not permitted to return any letter to the writer or sender, or to any one else, or to delay forwarding it to its destination according to the address, even though a request to such effect be written thereon (except under the provisions for special request, see “Special Request Letters”), as every letter must be delivered to the person to whom it is originally directed, and to him alone. No information must be given by a postal officer respecting letters, &c., which pass through a Post Office, except to the persons to whom they are addressed.

Private Boxes and Bags.

Private letter-boxes are provided for merchants and others upon payment, in advance, of the following fees:—

(a.) For a term exceeding six calendar months and not exceeding one year, one pound (£1).

(b.) For a term not exceeding six calendar months, ten shillings (10s.); and

(c.) Provided that no private box shall be let for a term less than six months, to date from the day on which the same shall be let; and that, where there are two or more applicants for the same box at the same time, the preference shall be given to the person desiring to have the same for the longest term.

No private box can be held in the joint names of a number of persons unless it be known that the applicants are in business partnership. Private persons are not permitted to join in renting a private box. Subject to the above restrictions, any person can have a private box who is willing to pay the appointed rent. No person can be permitted to engage a private box for Sunday or certain day or days only.

Letters directed to any person renting a private box, and letters directed to members of the family or servants, also letters directed to the care of the box-holder, will be deposited in the box (unless written notice be given to the contrary). The registered and unpaid correspondence will be retained by the delivery-clerk, and the box-holder notified by means of cards placed in the box.

Each box is provided with a door, lock and key, which must be kept in repair at the holder’s expense.

Private box-lobbies at chief post offices are open on week-days from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. At all other offices the hours are irregular, and vary from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., according to local requirements. The lobbies are also open on Sundays and holidays but at irregular hours.

Persons residing upon mail routes requiring the accommodation of private bags can obtain the same upon payment, in advance, of the under-mentioned fees to the Chief Postmaster of the district, and subject to the following regulations:—

(a.) The fees payable for private mail bags shall be—For a term exceeding six calendar months and not exceeding one year, two pounds (£2); for a term not exceeding six calendar months, one pound (£1). Provided that no private mail bag shall be let for a term less than six months, to date from the day on which the same shall be let.

(b.) The bag must be of leather, with a lock and two keys, and provided and kept in repair at the cost of the person requiring it. When empty it must not exceed two pounds in weight. All private bags must be approved by the Postmaster.

(c.) The Postmaster must securely lock the bag before despatching it, and it must be returned to the Postmaster in the same manner.

(d.) The bag must only contain correspondence for persons connected with the establishment of the owner of the bag, or who may be in his employment; and it must be distinctly understood that such owner is responsible for the postage of all unpaid letters, and for returning receipts for all those which may be registered.

Mail contractors are bound to convey and deliver, free of charge to the holders, all private bags given to them by Postmasters or under their instructions, but are not required to deviate from the prescribed mail route, and are on no account to be delayed. Should a return bag not be ready at the appointed time and place, the Contractors are not required to wait for it.