Dec. 31.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 3619

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Parcels may be Examined.

18. Parcels may be opened and examined by postal officers, but this does not make it obligatory that the ends shall be left open by senders. After so opening, the examining officer shall securely refasten them.

Delays in Transmission.

19. Parcels may be delayed when their transmission would interfere with the due despatch of letter-mails.

20. The Postmaster-General is not responsible for any loss which may arise through the delay of any parcel.

Delivery of Parcels.

21. At places served by letter-carriers delivery of parcels will be made by them as far as practicable. Where letter-carriers are not employed, or where they are unable to deliver parcels, delivery must be taken at the Post Office. Senders are recommended to inform addressees by post of the despatch of parcels, so as to assure prompt delivery.

22. A parcel (other than one containing jewellery, or any article of gold or silver, or any precious stone) received from a place beyond New Zealand, addressed to a Post Office “to be called for,” or for other reason required to lie at a Post Office, will, after it has remained in the office seven clear days (excluding Sundays and holidays), be charged demurrage at the rate of 1d. a day. A parcel containing jewellery, or any article of gold or silver, or any precious stone, received from a place beyond New Zealand, after it has remained in the office fourteen days (excluding Sundays and holidays), will be charged demurrage at the rate of one per centum per diem on the declared value thereof. No demurrage, however, will be charged on a parcel addressed to a place at which there is no house-to-house delivery, or for a person on board ship.

23. Parcels cannot be delivered until all charges due thereon, such as Customs duty, redirection fees, &c., are paid.

Undelivered and Unclaimed Parcels.

24. When a parcel is refused by the addressee, or known to be undeliverable, the sender will be immediately communicated with, and he may elect to have it redirected to another place or returned, but in the case of a parcel received from a place beyond New Zealand he must pay a fresh rate of postage for such redirection or return. Any charges which may have accrued on an undelivered inland parcel in respect of redirection, posting out of course, compulsory registration, or express services, or charges of any other kind, are waived on the return of the parcel, all undelivered inland parcels being returned to the senders without any charge whatever.

25. Unclaimed parcels will be retained at the office from which they should be delivered for one clear month, exclusive of the one in which they are received. At the end of that period the sender will be advised that they cannot be delivered, as provided in the next preceding regulation.

26. Inland parcels, if not claimed by the addressees or senders within three months, exclusive of the one in which they have been received, will be forwarded to the Dead Letter Office and disposed of as the Postmaster-General may direct. Parcels with perishable contents may be destroyed immediately they become offensive. Parcels from countries beyond New Zealand, if unclaimed, will be retained until the expiry of six months from the date of posting of the advice of non-delivery, and then returned through the Dead Letter Office to countries of origin.

Redirected Parcels.

27. Redirected parcels are liable to a new rate of postage for each redirection, except parcels addressed to officers and seamen of His Majesty’s ships in New Zealand waters, which are readdressed without charge within New Zealand.

His Majesty’s Liability.

28. In the event of any damage or loss occurring during transit, His Majesty may with his own consent be liable to pay compensation to the owner, but not exceeding in any case a greater sum than two pounds sterling in respect of any parcel.

INSURANCE OF PARCELS.

1. The Postmaster-General is not legally liable to make good any claim arising out of the conveyance of a parcel sent by post, but, subject to the following regulations, he will pay compensation up to the limits hereinafter set out for the loss or damage of a parcel posted in New Zealand for delivery therein, or to any of the countries enumerated in the following tables, against which a limit of insured value is entered.