Dec. 17.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 2601

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3. 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 for a certain day or days only.

4. Letters directed to any person or firm renting a private box, and letters directed to the care of the box-holder, will be deposited in the box, unless written notice be given to the contrary. It must be understood, however, that outside the principals the Department can only undertake to place letters for other persons in private boxes when they are addressed to the care of the box-holders; thus, Wm. Brown, usually having letters addressed to the care of Robert Jones, Box 700, Auckland, would not be entitled to have a letter addressed “Wm. Brown, Auckland,” “Wm. Brown, Post-office, Auckland,” or “Wm. Brown, Fort Street, Auckland,” placed in private box No. 700. If the letter could not be delivered by letter-carrier, it would be kept with other letters until called for. The registered and unpaid correspondence addressed to a private box will be retained by the delivery-clerk, and the box-holder notified by means of cards placed in the box.

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

6. Private-box lobbies at chief post-offices are open as follows:—

Week-days. Sundays.
Auckland .. 6 a.m. to midnight .. 8 a.m. to midnight.
Blenheim .. 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. .. 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.
Christchurch .. 7 a.m. to midnight .. 7 a.m. to midnight.
Dunedin .. 6.30 a.m. to midnight .. 8 a.m. to midnight.
Gisborne .. 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. .. 9.30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Greymouth .. 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. .. 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.
Hokitika .. 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. .. 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.
Invercargill .. 6 a.m. to midnight .. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Napier .. 7.30 a.m. to midnight .. 7.30 a.m. to midnight.
Nelson .. 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. .. 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.
New Plymouth .. 6.30 a.m. to 10.30 p.m. .. 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.
Oamaru .. 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. .. 8 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.
Thames .. 6 a.m. to midnight .. 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.
Timaru .. 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. .. 9.30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Wanganui .. 8 a.m. to midnight .. 8 a.m. to midnight.
Wellington .. 5 a.m. to 1.30 a.m. .. 5 a.m. to 1.30 a.m.
Westport .. 9 a.m. to 10.30 p.m. .. 9.30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

At all other offices the hours are irregular, and vary from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. or 11 p.m., and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., according to local requirements and facilities. The lobbies are also open on Sundays and holidays, but at irregular hours.

7. Persons residing upon mail-routes requiring the accommodation of private bags can obtain the same upon payment, in advance, of the undermentioned 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 1st January or the 1st July, with the same qualification in respect of the first term as for private boxes set out in section 2. If the tag is taken delivery of at the office at which it is made up the fee is the same as for a private box.

(b.) The bag must be provided with a lock and two keys, 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.

8. 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 contractor is not required to wait for it.