38 THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. [No. 3

SCHEDULE.

PARCEL POST.

Rates of Postage.

1. All packages of such a nature as to require special protection to assure their safe transmission through the post should be sent as parcels, otherwise that protection cannot be afforded. The postage must be fully prepaid in postage-stamps, which should be affixed by the sender or the person handing in the parcel to a label which may be obtained at the counter. The label must then be affixed to the right-hand top corner of the parcel.

Parcels not to be dropped into Letter-box.

2. Packets for transmission by parcel post must bear the words “Parcel Post” written or printed conspicuously in the left-hand top corner, and must be handed in at a Post Office counter or delivery-window. Every parcel should bear the name and address of the sender on the cover, but in such a position as not to be mistaken for the address of the parcel. The officer to whom it is handed will check the size, weight, and postage affixed before accepting the parcel. Parcels must not be posted in posting-boxes; infringements of this rule render inland parcels liable to a fine of 6d. on delivery, and foreign parcels to detention.

3. Postmasters are forbidden to hand a parcel back to the sender, except as provided in the clause headed “Undelivered and Unclaimed Parcels.”

Customs Declaration.

4. The sender of a parcel addressed to any place beyond New Zealand will require to make a Customs declaration on a form to be obtained at any Post Office) describing the contents and stating the value, and also giving the name of the office of destination and the sender’s signature and place of residence. False declaration involves the forfeiture of the parcel, and renders the sender liable to prosecution under the Customs laws.

Limits of Weight and Size.

5. Parcels not exceeding 11lb. in weight, 3ft. 6in. in length, or 6ft. in length and girth combined, are accepted for transmission to all places within the colony, excepting those not served by railway, coach, or steam-boat (see next section), to the Australian Colonies, and the United Kingdom. Thus a parcel measuring 3ft. 6in. in length could be 2ft. 6in. in girth, while one of 3ft. in length might be 3ft. in girth, &c. The limits of weight and size of parcels for other countries will be found in the Rate-table which follows. Wheels must not exceed 2ft. in diameter.

6. Parcels for or from New Zealand offices not served by railway, coach, or steamer must not exceed 5lb. in weight, 2ft. in length, and 1ft. in breadth or depth; nor can parcels for those offices be accepted which are of too fragile a nature to permit of their safe transmission in mail-bags.

How to Pack.

7. The public will greatly facilitate the work of the Post Office and help towards the safe delivery of parcels by taking care that they are in all cases compactly, strongly, and securely packed, especially those with fragile or perishable contents. It should be borne in mind that a parcel must be frequently handled before it reaches its destination, and, although every care will be taken by the officers through whose hands it passes, it will be impossible to avoid occasional damage if the packing be defective.

8. Parcels containing perishable articles, such as game, fish, eggs, &c., may be accepted for inland transmission. Razors, scissors, needles, knives, forks, or other sharp instruments, liquids, or semi-liquids, such as paints, &c., bottles, or glass in any form, may be forwarded both inland and to such of the countries beyond the colony as do not specially prohibit their introduction (see prohibitions in the table which follows, last column). All such articles must, however, be securely packed, so as to prevent all risk or injury to other parcels or the officers of the Post Office.