Jan. 18.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE 175
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GENERAL BOOK-POST REGULATIONS.

APPLYING TO BOTH “PRINTED PAPERS” AND “COMMERCIAL PAPERS.”

How to Pack.

15. A book-packet may be posted either without a cover (in which case it must not be fastened in any way except being tied with string) or in a cover entirely open at one or both ends, so as to admit of the contents being easily withdrawn for examination. If an envelope is used, it must be entirely open at one end, or the flap turned inside. Small slits cut in the ends of closed envelopes are not regarded as leaving a packet open for inspection. For the greater security of the contents, however, it may be tied at the ends with string, but the string must be easy to unfasten. Packets of old or spent letters (see page 24) or post-cards which have fulfilled their object and packets containing pass-books of banks (including savings-banks) and building and friendly societies are allowed to pass at printed-paper rates if the covers are sufficiently open at the ends to enable the pass-books to be identified as such.

16. Address-cards and all printed matter of the form and substance of an unfolded card may be forwarded without wrapper, envelope, fastening, or fold. The face is reserved for the postage-stamps, indications relative to the postal service, and the address. The sender is permitted to indicate there his name, profession, and address, by means of a stamp, autograph stamp or any other typographical process. Requisitions to libraries may bear the printed words “Library Order” or “Library Requisition.”

Limits of Size and Weight.

17. The limits of size for book-packets are 18 in. in any direction. If made up in the form of a roll, a packet may measure up to 2 ft. 6 in. in length and 4 in. in diameter. Packets exceeding these limits will be detained and sent to the Dead Letter Office. The weight must not exceed 4 lb.

Short-paid or Irregularly Posted.

18. Book-packets posted wholly unpaid, if addressed to countries beyond New Zealand, are detained, advertised for one month on a list exhibited at the office of posting, and, if not paid for in the meantime, sent to the Dead Letter Office. Unpaid or insufficiently prepaid packets addressed to any place within New Zealand, and insufficiently prepaid packets for places beyond New Zealand, are sent to destination, charged with double the deficiency, at prepaid rate, on delivery.

19. Handbills, circulars, programmes, playbills, printed posters, trade catalogues, price-lists and fashion plates, printed advertising matter, also paper bags and wrapping-paper or wrappers of all kinds, printed or lithographed, and printed or lithographed envelopes or labels, are chargeable with Customs duty at the rate of 3d. per lb. on receipt through the post in New Zealand, as well as a surtax of ¾d. per lb. on goods not produced in British dominions. Duty is not payable on trade catalogues or price-lists of the goods of firms or persons having no established business in New Zealand. Calendars and showcards of all kinds are liable to a duty of 25 per cent. ad valorem, and to a surtax of 12½ per cent. ad valorem if not produced in British dominions. In addition to the above duties, there is levied on all dutiable goods a surtax of 2½ per centum on the amount of such duty.

Section 74 of “The Customs Law Act, 1908,” provides as follows:—

“(1.) Where printed matter liable to duty is included in any mail, whether addressed to separate individuals or not, duty shall be paid on such matter (including the envelope or other covering) before its delivery from the Post Office.

“(2.) If such printed matter has been posted to the order of any person in New Zealand, or of any person having an agent in New Zealand, the said duty shall be payable by such person or agent, and in any other case the said duty shall be payable by the person who posted the said printed matter, or by his agent (if any) in New Zealand.

“(3.) The Postmaster shall notify the person or agent so liable as aforesaid, if his name and address are known to the Postmaster, that such printed matter is detained pending payment of the duty.

“(4.) If duty is not paid on any such printed matter within six months after the arrival thereof, it may be destroyed or otherwise disposed of as the Minister [of Customs] directs.”

20. If “commercial papers” or “samples” are enclosed with “printed papers” the rates for “commercial papers” or “samples” respectively must be paid.

21. “Commercial papers” and “printed papers,” photographs, cards, &c., marked on the outside as such, bearing or containing writing other than that authorised, or closed against inspection, or containing enclosures not authorised by the foregoing regulations, or any enclosure addressed to a name which differs from that on the cover, if addressed to any place within New Zealand, are sent to destination surcharged simple letter rate, minus the postage already prepaid. (The fine on open packets is not to exceed 6d., unless the written matter enclosed represents more than a foolscap sheet of writing.) If addressed to any place beyond New Zealand the packets are detained and sent to the Dead Letter Office. (About detention of book-packets, see “Exceptional Detention,” page 40.)

PATTERNS AND SAMPLES.

Rates of Postage.

1. The rates of postage for patterns and samples are—

Inland … … … { For each packet not exceeding 2 oz., ½d. ;
} over 2 oz., as for “All other places.”

All other places … … { For each packet not exceeding 4 oz. 1d.
{ For each additional 2 oz. or fraction
{ thereof … … ½d.
(Postal Union rates.)