Aug. 18.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 2705

Insured Box Service.

1. There is in operation between New Zealand and Great Britain and Northern Ireland an “insured box” service. An “insured box” may contain articles of gold, silver, precious stones, jewellery, and other articles of like nature which are prohibited transmission by the insured-letter service. The following articles shall be prohibited transmission in insured boxes: Articles, the admission or circulation of which in Great Britain or Northern Ireland is prohibited; letters or notes which may serve as a substitute for correspondence; current coin; bank-notes or securities payable to bearer; bonds and articles included in the category of commercial papers. It shall be, however, permissible to enclose in an insured box an open invoice confined to the particulars which constitute an invoice, and also a simple copy of the addressee’s name and address and the name and address of the sender.

2. The maximum weight for an insured box shall be 2 lb., and the maximum measurements—length, 12 in.; breadth, 4 in.; and height, 4 in. The box employed for packing shall be strongly made of metal or wood. When a wooden box is used the wood shall be at least ⅓ in. thick.

3. An insured box shall be tied crosswise with a single strong string (not two or more pieces joined), the two ends of the string being held together under a seal of fine wax bearing a private mark. The box shall also be sealed on the four sides with seals identical with that used for the end of the string. The box shall not be wrapped in paper; but the surfaces of the top and bottom shall be covered with white paper for the inscription of the addressee’s name and address and the insured value of the contents, and for the impression of the official stamps.

4. An insured box shall be accompanied by a Customs declaration prepared by the sender. The Customs declaration used for parcels should be used for insured boxes, but the word “parcel” wherever it occurs shall be altered to “insured box.” The Customs declaration must be prepared with great care. It shall specify precisely the style of packing, and include a description of the box. The gross weight of the box and the total value of the contents of each of the different kinds of article contained in the box shall be shown separately.

5. The postage and insurance fees on an insured box shall be fully prepaid. The postage rate shall be 2d. per ounce, with a minimum charge of 10d. The insurance fees shall be the same as those in respect of insured letters. The limit of insurance shall be £400.

6. Except where herein stated to the contrary, the general regulations governing the transmission of insured letters shall apply also to insured boxes.

REDIRECTION.

5. The Department cannot undertake to intercept and to redirect correspondence delivered through a private box, except when the box is closed either temporarily or permanently. The Department is unable also to undertake to intercept and to redirect correspondence delivered through private mail-bags, but it will endeavour to do so as far as circumstances permit.

6. The Department cannot undertake to redirect a letter before it reaches the office to which it is addressed. It cannot undertake the redirection of letters, &c., for persons temporarily leaving home unless the house is left uninhabited, nor can it undertake to redirect letters, &c., addressed to clubs, hotels, boardinghouses, &c.

7. Persons presenting redirection orders are requested to add their title, Mr., Mrs., or Miss. This applies also to telegrams addressed to Postmasters requesting redirection of correspondence.

BUSINESS HOURS.

3. Post-office and Telegraph Holidays.—The statutory post-office and telegraph holidays are New Year’s Day, Easter Monday, the King’s Birthday, Labour Day, and Boxing Day. When New Year’s Day, the King’s Birthday, or Boxing Day falls on a Sunday, the next day is observed as a holiday. Good Friday, Anzac Day, and Christmas day are observed as Sundays.

DELIVERY.

1. To facilitate the delivery of letters, a letter-box should be affixed to every house door. Any person whose house lies back from the street may be required by the Chief Postmaster at any time to provide on the street-line a box for the reception of mail-matter. Failing compliance such person may be excluded from the postman’s delivery. Delivery by postman will not be made above the first floor of any business building unless an elevator is available for use. If a person whose place of business is above the first floor in a building in which an elevator is not available desires to to have his correspondence delivered by postman, he shall provide on either the ground or the first floor a suitable locked box for the reception of his mail-matter, or some responsible person on either of those floors must be authorized to receive the correspondence. In the case of an apartment house, delivery will not be made to the different rooms or suites whether or not an elevator is available. If in such case delivery by postman is desired, a suitable locked box shall be provided on the ground floor. In the case of rural deliveries, settlers off the road-line must provide a suitable box on the road-line in which their correspondence can be deposited.

EXPRESS DELIVERY SERVICE.

1. “Express delivery” is delivery by special means in advance of the ordinary delivery, or by special despatch to the delivery-counter or delivery-wicket in the post-office. Express delivery begins at an office on arrival of the postal packet at that office. In the case of city branch offices, as distinguished from suburban offices, the express delivery may be made from the chief post-office.

2. A redirected “express delivery” article shall be treated as an ordinary packet.

3. “Express delivery” articles, with the exception of parcels, shall be received up to the time for receiving late letters. Parcels intended for “express delivery” will not necessarily be forwarded by the latter mail unless the “express transit” fee of 6d. also is paid thereon.

4. Express delivery will not be made on Sundays.