1838
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
[No. 62

13

Advantages of Registration.

9. The registration of an article renders its transmission much more secure, and the loss of a registered packet is a very rare occurrence.

Postmaster-General’s Liability.

10. In the event of the loss of an inland registered letter or a registered letter from any country with which New Zealand has a reciprocal arrangement as to indemnities the Postmaster-General consents to be liable to pay a sum not exceeding £2, under the following conditions:—
11. The letter must be duly registered by the sender.
12. No compensation for loss will be given in respect of—
    (1.) A letter containing any article which may not be lawfully sent by post.
    (2.) Money, unless it be sent by letter-post, and then only on the following conditions being complied with:—
    (a.) That any coins enclosed in the letter be packed in such a way as to move about as little as possible.
    (b.) That the number, amount, bank of issue, and (where necessary) the date of any bank-note enclosed be supplied to the Postmaster-General when required.
    (c.) That the amount and number of any postal note enclosed be supplied to the Postmaster-General when required.
    (d.) That particulars sufficient to identify the document be supplied to the Postmaster-General in the case of any bill of exchange, bond, coupon, or other order or authority for the prepayment of money, or security for money, enclosed in the letter.
    (3.) Bullion.
13. The compensation given in respect of loss shall not in the case of any letter exceed the sum of two pounds, whatever be the value of the contents, and shall in no case exceed the value of the article lost.
14. In every case it must appear that the loss did not arise wholly or in part by the fault of the sender, and that it occurred while the letter was in the post.
15. Evidence of the loss of a registered letter shall be given to the Postmaster-General by a statutory declaration made by or on behalf of the claimant, setting forth,—
    (a.) The date when, and the place where, such letter was posted, so far as the same can be reasonably ascertained.
    (b.) A description of the contents and value of such letter, so far as known to the claimant, and the fact of the loss.
    (c.) Any other particulars required by these regulations, or tending to establish the facts of the loss and verify the claim made.
    But the Postmaster-General may require any further or additional reasonable evidence to satisfy him as to any such alleged loss or value; or, where he deems the loss proved by other means, may dispense with the whole or any of the requirements of this regulation.
16. The Postmaster-General may in every case, if he thinks fit, reinstate the article lost instead of giving pecuniary compensation.
17. Where compensation is given, the Postmaster-General reserves the right to retain and dispose as he thinks fit of the letter or its contents in case it should subsequently come into his hands.
18. In no case will the Postmaster-General give compensation for injury or damage consequent upon the loss, damage, or delay of a letter, or any article contained therein.
19. Without prejudice to any of the preceding regulations, the Postmaster-General may, if he thinks fit, refuse to give compensation for loss on any ground on which a common carrier might in like case claim exemption from legal liability. The decision of the Postmaster-General upon all questions of compensation is final.

Compulsory Registration.

18. Valuable articles sent in unregistered letters are exposed to risk. All inland and Australian letters or packets, therefore, which unquestionably contain watches or jewellery above ten shillings in value, even though they are posted without registration, are treated as “registered,” and charged double the registration fee, in addition to the ordinary postage; and any such letters, &c., which cannot be registered in time to be for-