as valid and effectual and as of full force and virtue as if this Act 29 VICTORIA, had not been passed. No. 298. 3. All letters packets and newspapers received at any post Interpretation of office for delivery in Victoria shall be deemed inland letters terms. packets and newspapers. And all letters packets and newspapers received from any place beyond the limits of Victoria or received at any post office for delivery beyond the limits of Victoria shall be deemed foreign letters packets and newspapers. The words "postmaster-general" whenever they occur in this or any other Act now or hereafter to be in force shall for the purposes of this Act include any deputy postmaster-general who may have been or may be appointed by the Governor in Council. PART I.-GENERAL PROVISIONS. and regulations pointed. 4. A post shall be and the same is hereby established in and for Post established Victoria; and the Governor in Council may from time to time make to be made and and alter regulations for the establishment and management of post officers apoffices and the receipt dispatch carriage and delivery of letters packets and newspapers, and for the conduct and guidance of all postmasters and other officers and servants of the Post Office; and may from time to time appoint such officers and servants as may be necessary for the purposes of this Act. nary letters 7 Will. IV. & 1 3 & 4 Vict. c. 96 ss. 24. 5. Except where otherwise specially provided by any Act now Postage on ordior hereafter in force and except as hereinafter mentioned, postage packets and upon every inland and foreign letter packet and newspaper respec- newspapers. tively shall be levied according to the scale and at the rate set forth Viet. c. 34 s. 2 and indicated in and by the Second Schedule to this Act; but (part). every letter packet and newspaper sent by post from any place beyond the limits of Victoria shall be transmitted and delivered Second Schedule. free of charge within Victoria; except as hereinafter mentioned and except in cases where it is necessary to collect the postage under any arrangement to be made as hereinafter mentioned, in which case the same and all fees or other dues upon such letter packet or newspaper shall and may be collected on and before the delivery thereof respectively. diers' and sailors' Vict. c. 34 s. 40. 6. Inland and foreign letters not exceeding one half ounce in Postage on solweight addressed to or forwarded by any seaman on actual service letters. in Her Majesty's navy or by any sergeant corporal drummer trum- 7 Will. IV. & 1 peter fifer or private soldier on actual service in Her Majesty's 3 & 4 Vict. c. 96 regular forces militia fencible regiments or royal marines shall be s. 53. charged the sum of one penny in lieu of the postage hereinbefore mentioned. But no such letter shall be transmitted or delivered. unless (in case of a letter forwarded as last aforesaid) there shall be on the face thereof the name of the writer and his class or description in the vessel regiment corps or detachment to which he belongs, and the signature of the officer having command of such vessel regiment corps or detachment, nor unless (in case of a letter addressed as last aforesaid) there shall be specified on the superscription thereof the vessel regiment corps or detachment to which the person to whom it is addressed belongs. But this section shall not apply (a) "Post office" defined by 37 Vict. No. 455 s. 14, "Post Office (Amendment)," post. (b) A new schedule is substituted by 37 Vict. No. 455 s. 2, "Post Office (Amendment)," post. No. 298. 29 VICTORIA, to letters addressed to or forwarded by any commissioned or warrant officer whether in the army or navy or midshipman or mate in the navy. Fees in addition to postage. Packets defined. Vict. c. 34 88. 28 30. 7. The Governor in Council may from time to time impose and alter fees to be paid upon letters packets and newspapers registered under this Part of this Act, or posted after the time appointed by the Postmaster-General for closing the mails, and for the use of private boxes and private bags. 8. The Governor in Council may from time to time by order 7 win. IV. & 1 published in the Government Gazette direct what packets may be sent by post as inland and foreign packets within the meaning of this Act and upon what terms and conditions the same may be sent; and until any such order shall be made, the following and no others may be sent by post as inland and foreign packets within the meaning of this Act (that is to say): Newspapers defined. (1.) Bankers' packets (in covers open at the ends or sides) containing notes orders cheques or pass books sent by or to any bank or banker. (II.) Packets (in covers open at the ends or sides) containing process of or proceedings or pleadings in any court; briefs cases and instructions for counsel and their opinions thereon respectively; deeds; affidavits ; policies of assurance; letters of attorney; depositions or recognizances. (III.) Packets (in covers open at the ends or sides) containing patterns or samples of merchandise not having a value of their own apart from their mere use as patterns or samples, and either unenclosed or enclosed in bags tied round the neck so as to be easily loosened and refastened. (IV.) Packets (in covers open at the ends or sides) containing prices current and catalogues. (v.) Packets (in covers open at the ends or sides) containing Acts of the Victorian or Imperial Parliament; or printed votes and proceedings of either house thereof respectively; or returns or copies of returns made by or to any officer in the public service. (VI.) Packets (in covers open at the ends or sides) containing scrip pamphlets maps plans specifications music photographs magazines reviews placards almanacs prospectuses paintings engravings printers' proofs writing paper music paper or periodical publications. (VII.) Packets (in covers open at the ends or sides) containing printed or plain books. (VIII.) And (as inland packets) packets containing seeds in bags or papers tied so as to be easily loosened and refastened. 9. Every copy of a paper containing any public news or occurrences or any remarks or observations thereon or upon any political matter or containing only or principally advertisements and printed for sale or for gratuitous distribution may be sent by post as an No. 298. inland or foreign newspaper within the meaning of this Act, if it 29 VICTORIA, shall be periodically published in parts or numbers at intervals not exceeding one month; and every such part or number shall be deemed to be a separate newspaper within the meaning aforesaid. (a) to be addressed. 10. Every inland or foreign newspaper shall be sent without a How newspapers cover or in a cover open at both ends; and there shall not be in or upon any such newspaper or the cover thereof any communication. character figure letter or number (other than the words "newspaper only" or a line drawn through any report article or paragraph therein the printed title of such newspaper the printed names occupations and places of business of the printer publisher and vendor thereof the name occupation and address of the person to whom it is sent and the words aforesaid); nor shall anything be enclosed in or with or accompany such newspaper or cover: otherwise such newspaper shall not be transmitted or delivered. Government 11. The Postmaster-General shall cause to be made for the use Letters on of the Governor and of each responsible minister of the Crown service to go free. respectively a stamp to be called "a frank stamp" with the title of the Governor or of such minister thereon, and also frank stamps with an appropriate title for the use of the officers in command of any portion of Her Majesty's land and sea forces and the officers of Her Majesty's Ordnance and Commissariat respectively; and every letter and packet "On Her Majesty's Service" and so described on the outside thereof if impressed with a frank stamp not obliterated or defaced shall for the purposes of this Act be deemed to be contained in an official envelope or cover (as the case may be) and shall be exempt from postage and from registration and other fees imposed under the authority of this Act. 12. The Government Printer shall cause to be printed upon Government official covers for enclosing the Government Gazette the words "On Gazelle to go free. Her Majesty's Service" with the title of the said newspaper and the imprint of the said printer; and the said gazette when enclosed in one of the said covers and open at both ends shall (if received at the General Post Office from the office of the said printer but not otherwise) be exempt from postage. refused trans delayed. 13. Every postmaster may refuse to transmit by post any letter Heavy letters or packet exceeding sixteen ounces in weight, or of inconvenient &c. may be form or dimensions, or containing or reasonably suspected to con- mission or tain articles likely to injure the other portions of the mail or the 3 & 4 Vict. c. 96 person of any officer or servant of the post office; and under such s. 3. circumstances and upon such occasions as shall seem to him expe- c. 85 s. 2. dient such postmaster may delay for any period not exceeding fourteen days the transmission of any letter or packet exceeding eight ounces in weight. 10 & 11 Vict. office stamps to 14. The Postmaster-General shall cause postage stamps indi- Postage and cating such amounts of postage as may be from time to time be made. deemed necessary for the purposes of this Part of this Act to be 3 & 4 Vict. c. 96 made and sold to any person applying for the same; and shall also. 19. (a) “Supplement" defined by 37 Vict. No. 455 s. 13, “Post Office (Amendment),” post. "Newspaper" defined by 37 Vict. No. 455 s. 13, "Post Office (Amendment)," post. No. 298. 29 VICTORIA, cause such office stamps as may be from time to time deemed necessary for the purposes aforesaid to be made and used in the general or any other post office. Issue of postage stamps. Repealed by 83 Vict. No. 355 s. 3, "Stamps," post. Prepayment by Or by cash in certain cases. Postmaster to see to amount of stamps. How stamps to be placed. Registration. Vict. c. 34 s. 25.. 10 & 11 Vict. 15. Every postmaster shall procure and keep on hand for sale without premium such quantities of postage stamps as the Postmaster-General shall direct; and shall sell the same (without any commission or allowance for so doing) to any person applying for them. [And the Postmaster-General may for the convenience of the public grant a license to any person to sell postage stamps during the year in which such license may be granted; and any such person who may obtain from the Postmaster-General at any one time postage stamps to the value of five pounds shall be allowed thereon a commission of one shilling in the pound, to be paid in postage stamps only. But no postage stamps shall be supplied for the use or on the requisition of any person in the public service. 16. Except in the cases expressly herein mentioned in that behalf, the postage upon every inland and foreign letter packet and newspaper and all fees (if any) upon such letter packet or newspaper shall be prepaid; and such prepayments respectively shall be made by affixing thereon postage stamps not obliterated or defaced; and in default thereof such letter packet or newspaper shall not be transmitted or delivered. Provided that postage on loose letters received from masters of vessels may be collected on delivery. 17. Notwithstanding the enactment lastly hereinbefore contained, whenever it may happen that any postmaster shall not have any postage stamps of the requisite value for sale, then and in such case the postage and fees (if any) upon any letter packet or newspaper may be prepaid in coin, and shall be acknowledged by such postmaster on the face or cover of such letter packet or newspaper. 18. [Repealed and new provision substituted by 37 Vict. No. 455 s. 5, Post Office (Amendment)," post.] 19. Except in the cases expressly herein before mentioned, every postmaster shall see that every inland and foreign letter packet and newspaper bears either postage stamps or a proper acknowledgment for coin respectively equal in value or amount to the postage due thereon. 20. The frank and postage stamps upon all inland and foreign letters packets and newspapers shall be impressed or affixed upon the face thereof respectively and near the address written thereon ; and no postmaster shall be bound to take any notice of stamps which shall be impressed or affixed elsewhere. 21. Any person who shall send any letter packet or newspaper 7 Will. IV. & 1 by post shall be entitled to have the same registered at the post office at which the same shall be posted upon payment of the proper fee for registration; but such registration shall not render the Crown or the Department of the Post Office or any person liable for the loss of any such letter' packet or newspaper. And all letters c. 85 s. 8. (a) See 37 Vict. No. 455 s. 15, "Post Office (Amendment),” post. No. 298. packets and newspapers required to be registered shall be put into 29 VICTORIA, the post office, and also be delivered, at or between such hours in the day and under such regulations in every respect as the Postmaster-General or other proper officer shall from time to time. appoint. money &c. must 22. In any case where it shall come to the knowledge of any Letters with postmaster or officer of the post office or where any postmaster or be registered. officer of the post office has reasonable cause to believe that any inland or foreign letter or packet not registered under this Act contains any money or other valuable enclosure, it shall be lawful for such postmaster or officer to register such letter or packet and to charge it with the proper fee for registration; and such fee shall be paid by the person to whom it is addressed before delivery, unless such person shall before such delivery open the letter in the presence of some postmaster or officer of the post office and it shall be found not to contain money or other valuable enclosure, in which case such fee shall be remitted; and the sum to be so paid shall be written in a stamp impressed on such letter or packet by the postmaster who registers the same. to be returned 23. Except in the cases expressly hereinafter mentioned, no No letters &c. letter packet or newspaper whatever shall under any circumstances except in certain be destroyed or returned to the writer or sender thereof without either cases. the consent in writing of the person to whom the same is addressed or the direction of the Governor in Council; and no letter packet or newspaper shall be delivered to any person not named in the address thereof without such consent or direction as aforesaid. 24. [Repealed and new provision substituted by 37 Vict. No. 455 s. 6, Post Office (Amendment),” post.] 66 certain periods General Post 25. Every letter packet and newspaper (other than those herein- Unclaimed letters before directed to be transmitted to the General Post Office without &c. to be kept delay) which shall remain undelivered at the post office to which the and then sent to same shall have been transmitted for delivery shall be kept thereat office. for delivery, during one month if it was originally posted in Victoria, and during three months if it was originally posted in any other Australian colony or in New Zealand, and during six months if it was originally posted elsewhere. And as soon as possible after the expiration of the periods in that behalf lastly hereinbefore mentioned, the postmaster at every such post office as last aforesaid shall transmit to the General Post Office every letter packet and newspaper that shall have been kept as aforesaid for the period during which the same is hereinbefore required to be so kept. at General Post 26. On the receipt at the General Post Office of any letter How dead letters packet or newspaper hereinbefore required to be transmitted to such &c. disposed of office such letter or packet, if it was originally posted in this colony Office. or if it has been posted or be reasonably suspected to have been posted or to contain any enclosure in fraud or violation of this Act or of any Act relating to the customs or of any regulation or order made under the authority of this Part, may be opened in the said last-mentioned office in the manner hereinafter mentioned; and every such letter and packet, if it was originally posted elsewhere, shall except as last aforesaid be returned to the proper authorities in the |