✨ Postal Regulations and Mail Handling Procedures
June 15.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 1621
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must invariably be entered on the letter-bills, and the Chief Postmaster must see that they are properly acknowledged.
341. Great care should be taken that a bundle of letters is not put into the wrong bag; and, to avoid so serious a mistake, the despatching officer should carefully examine the outside letter in each bundle, and also check the address on the bag or label, before placing the letters in the bag.
342. A Postmaster is responsible that bags are correctly despatched from his office, that they are properly tied three times round the neck with good strong string, and that the string is sealed to the bag or to a capsule with the office seal. The wax is to be placed on the knot, which must be tied on a smooth surface to admit of a clear impression of the seal. The address of each bag must be carefully examined, and the bags for each line of road (if more than one despatch takes place at the same time) laid out in proper order, and entered on the way-bill before the contractor or other person to whom they are intrusted leaves the office. All mails and private bags for places on branch routes, for delivery at railway-stations to which they are not addressed, should be strapped together, and have attached to them a label distinctly marked “To be delivered at Railway-station.” No bag may be sent that is not in complete repair. Each despatch should take place punctually at the appointed time. Mails for conveyance by train or steamer should be at the station, wharf, or ship’s side at least five minutes before the time fixed for departure.
343. Chief Postmasters and Postmasters are to periodically give special attention to the matter of tying and sealing mail-bags. A special officer must be deputed by written order to constantly examine seal-impressions, and to report every case of a defective impression. Office seals must be in the custody of responsible officers, and so safeguarded that it will be possible for the officer charged with their custody to state positively at any time that the seals have not been used without his authority. Capsules are invariably to be used for sealing all seaborne mails. Unduly thick string is not to be used for tying mail-bags. Beyond a certain thickness, string prevents the wax from adhering and a clear impression from being made, and also allows the fastening to work loose. Officers handling transit mails must assure themselves, as far as possible, that the bags or contents have not been tampered with. Every case of re-sealing is to be recorded in a book kept for the purpose, and the fact reported to the Chief Postmaster,
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NZ Gazette 1906, No 47
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Shipping Notices and Mail Regulations
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🚂 Transport & CommunicationsMail sorting, Postal regulations, Letter-bills, Mail despatch procedures, Sealing of bags, Transit mail handling