Chapter 2

Chapter 23,367 wordsPublic domain

Arthabaska. Kamouraska. Quebec. Beauce. Levis. Richmond--Townships Bellechasse. L'Islet. of Kingsey and Bonaventure. Lotbinière. Shipton only. Champlain. Megantic. Rimouski. Charlevoix. Montmagny. Saguenay. Chicoutimi. Montmorency. Temiscouata. Dorchester. Nicolet. Wolf. Gaspé. Portneuf.

MONTREAL DIVISION.

Argenteuil. L'Assomption. St. Hyacinthe. Bagot. Laval. St. Johns. Beauharnois. Maskinongé. St. Maurice. Berthier. Missisquoi. Shefford. Brome. Montcalm. Sherbrooke. Chambly. Montreal (City.) Sherkrooke--(Town and Chateauguay. Napierville two Townships.) Compton. Ottawa. Soulanges. Drummond. Pontiac. Stanstead. Hochelaga. Richelieu. Terrebonne. Huntingdon. Richmond--except Two Mountains. Iberville. Townships of Vaudreuil. Jacques Cartier. Kingsey and Verchères. Joliette. Shipton. Yamaska. Laprarie. Rouville.

KINGSTON DIVISION.

Addington. Hastings. Prescott. Carleton. Lanark. Prince Edward. Dundas. Leeds. Renfrew. Frontenac. Lenox. Russell. Glengary. Northumberland. Stormont. Grenville. Peterboro'.

TORONTO DIVISION.

Bruce. Ontario. Waterloo. Durham. Peel. Wellington. Grey. Simcoe. York. Halton. Victoria.

LONDON DIVISION.

Brant. Kent. Oxford. Elgin. Lambton. Perth. Essex. Lincoln. Welland. Haldimand. Middlesex. Wentworth. Huron. Norfolk.

CANADIAN POSTAL GUIDE.

Rules and Regulations.

OFFICERS.

[Sidenote: Age.]

No person under sixteen years of age is permitted to hold any situation in the Post office, to have access to the letters or papers, or is allowed to have charge of the mail.

[Sidenote: Oath or declaration.]

On entering the service of the Post office it is necessary to make an oath or declaration in the prescribed form before a Magistrate; and no person can be permitted to perform any official duty until this oath or declaration is signed. The following is the form of oath or declaration:

I, (Name of person and capacity in which employed, to be inserted here.) do solemnly and sincerely promise and (swear or affirm) that I will faithfully perform all the duties required of me by my employment in the service of the Post Office, and will abstain from everything forbidden by the Laws for the Establishment and Government of the Post Office Department in Canada.--So Help me God.

This (oath or affirmation) was taken and } subscribed before me, the day } of 186 } ______________, J.P. }

POST OFFICE.

[Sidenote: Sign.]

The words "Post Office," in large and conspicuous letters, should be exhibited outside every building in which a Post Office is kept.

[Sidenote: Letter Box.]

A Letter Box should also be fixed, with an opening accessible from the road or street, the words "Letter Box" being painted over the same in plain legible characters.

[Sidenote: Separate office.]

A separate office or apartment, conveniently fitted up for the purpose, should be provided by the postmaster for conducting the business wherever the duties are sufficiently extensive or important to require such accommodation. The internal fittings of the office should vary according to the nature of the duties.

[Sidenote: Lobby.]

At every principal office there should be a lobby or standing place within doors for the accommodation of parties applying at the office.

[Sidenote: Where separate office not required.]

Where the Postmaster General may consider that a separate room may be dispensed with, the letters and papers, both for delivery and despatch, are to be kept in a secure place, and, if practicable, under lock and key.

[Sidenote: Bar-room not to be used.]

A bar-room or public room in a tavern is never to be made use of as a post office, nor should the entrance to a post office be through a bar-room.

[Sidenote: Unauthorized persons.]

No person except the postmaster or his sworn assistant should, on any pretence whatever, be allowed to have access to the letters and papers in a post office.

[Sidenote: Situation.]

A Post Office should be in a convenient and central situation, and must not be removed from one part of a town, village, or settlement, to another without the approval first obtained of the Postmaster General.

[Sidenote: Protection.]

Postmasters are required to take every precaution to secure their offices against burglary and fire.

OFFICE HOURS.

[Sidenote: Principal offices.]

At the principal Post Offices in Canada the hours of opening and closing are regulated by the Postmaster General.

[Sidenote: Country offices.]

In country places Postmasters are required to keep their offices open during the usual hours of business in the locality, and to attend at such other hours as may be necessary to receive and despatch the mails.

[Sidenote: Sundays, Canada West.]

On Sundays Postmasters in Canada West are at liberty to close their offices to the public.

When an office in Canada West is closed to the public on Sunday it must be closed to all persons alike, and no exceptional or partial delivery to particular persons can be allowed.

[Sidenote: Sundays, Canada East.]

In Canada East, Postmasters keep their offices open on Sundays at least one hour either before or after Divine Service, as may be most convenient to the public generally.

[Sidenote: Notice of hours.]

A Notice, stating the hours at which the office is opened and closed, should be posted in every office, in such a position as may be readily observed by the public.

MAILS.

[Sidenote: Canada railways.]

Mails are conveyed twice each way every day, except Sunday, over the principal lines of railway in Canada. Over the less important lines of railway they are carried only once each way every day, except Sunday.

[Sidenote: Canada common roads.]

Mails are also conveyed once each way every day, except Sunday, over the principal lines of common road, and once, twice, or three times per week over the less important lines of common road.

[Sidenote: Lower Provinces.]

The postal communication between Canada and the Lower Provinces is three times per week each way viâ Quebec, and once per fortnight each way by Cunard Steamers viâ Boston and Halifax. Also twice per week each way in summer viâ Portland.

[Sidenote: Postal routes to the several portions of the world].

The most speedy and direct postal route from Canada to almost every portion of the globe, with the exception of the Continent of North America, the Isthmus of Panama, and a portion of the West India Islands having direct communication with New York, is by way of England, from whence mails for the several British Colonies and Foreign Countries mentioned in the tables at pages 36, 37, 38, and 39, are regularly despatched.

[Sidenote: Do. to North American Continent, Isthmus of Panama, W. Indies, &c.]

The most speedy and direct postal route from Canada to all parts of the Continent of North America, the Isthmus of Panama, and a portion of the West India Islands having direct communication with New York, is viâ New York.

[Sidenote: Mails for England.]

Mails for England are despatched twice in each week from Canada, viz.: once by Canadian Steamer sailing every Saturday, from Quebec in Summer and from Portland in Winter; and once by Cunard Steamer, sailing every Wednesday, either from New York or Boston.

The following Post Offices in Canada make up mails direct for certain Post Offices in the United Kingdom, viz.:--

Hamilton, Montreal, Toronto, Quebec. Kingston,

[Sidenote: Mails for United States.]

Mails are exchanged daily with the United States post offices at all the principal frontier points, and closed mails are exchanged daily between the principal cities of Canada and New York and Boston.

[Sidenote: Mails for Lower Provinces.]

Mails are also made up at Quebec, Montreal, and Toronto, for Halifax, Nova Scotia, and for St. John's, Newfoundland, and despatched to destination by Cunard Steamer, sailing from Boston, every alternate Wednesday.

RATES OF POSTAGE ON LETTERS.

[Sidenote: Canada and other parts of B. N. America.]

The rate of Postage on pre-paid Letters between any place in Canada and any other place in Canada, and on pre-paid or unpaid letters between any place in Canada and any place in British North America (except places hereafter mentioned), including Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Cape Breton, is regulated by weight, irrespective of distance, and is as follows:--

[Sidenote: Scale of charge.]

On a letter weighing not more than 1/2 an oz., 5 cents. " " more than 1/2 oz. but not ex. 1 oz., 10 cts. " " " 1 oz. " 1-1/2 " 15 cts. " " " 1-1/2 oz. " 2 " 20 cts. " " " 2 oz. " 2-1/2 " 25 cts.

And so on, 5 cents being charged for every additional 1/2 oz., or fraction of a half ounce.

[Sidenote: Excess of weight.]

If the weight be exceeded to the smallest extent, even though the balance be merely turned, the letter becomes liable to an additional rate.

[Sidenote: Unpaid letters.]

Letters addressed to any place within the Province of Canada, if sent unpaid, are liable to a charge of 7 cents per 1/2 oz.

[Sidenote: Drop letters]

The charge on local or drop Letters, viz., letters posted at an office in Canada for delivery from that office, is one cent for each letter.

[Sidenote: Letters delivered by carriers.]

The charge on letters delivered by Letter Carrier, in Canada, is two cents for each letter in addition to the ordinary postage.

[Sidenote: Nova Scotia viâ Halifax.]

Letters for Nova Scotia, specially addressed by "Cunard Steamer," sailing from Boston to Liverpool viâ Halifax, every alternate Wednesday, are liable to 12-1/2 cents per 1/2 oz., which can be pre-paid or not at the option of the sender.

[Sidenote: Newfoundland.]

Letters for Newfoundland are liable to a rate of 20 cents per 1/2 oz., which must be pre-paid.

[Sidenote: British Columbia.]

The rate of postage on letters to British Columbia and Vancouver's Island is 25 cents per 1/2 oz., which must be pre-paid.

[Sidenote: Red River.]

The rate of postage on letters to Red River, viâ the United States, is 10 cents per 1/2 oz., which may be pre-paid or not at the option of the sender.

[Sidenote: United States.]

The rate of postage on letters between any place in Canada and any place in the United States, except California and Oregon, is 10 cents per 1/2 oz., which may either be pre-paid or not, at the option of the sender.

[Sidenote: California and Oregon.]

The rate of postage on letters between any place in Canada and any place in California or Oregon is 15 cents per 1/2 oz., which may be pre-paid or not at the option of the sender.

[Sidenote: Scale of weight.]

The scale of weight under which the above letters are charged is the same as the scale under which letters passing between places in Canada are rated.

[Sidenote: United Kingdom.]

The single rate of postage on letters between any place in Canada and any place in the United Kingdom, is as follows:--

[Sidenote: Canadian Steamers.]

By Canadian Steamer, sailing every Saturday from Quebec in Summer and from Portland in Winter, 12-1/2 cents.

[Sidenote: Cunard Steamers.]

By Cunard Steamer, sailing either from New York or Boston every Wednesday, 17 cents.

[Sidenote: Scale of weight.]

Letters addressed to the United Kingdom and forwarded by either of the above routes, will be charged according to the following scale, which it will be seen differs from the scale of weight under which letters passing between places in Canada are taxed:--

Letters not weighing over 1/2 an oz., 1 rate. " weighing more than 1/2 oz. and not exceed. 1 oz. 2 rates. " " " 1 " " 2 " 4 " " " " 2 " " 3 " 6 " " " " 3 " " 4 " 8 "

And so on, adding two rates for every additional ounce or fraction of an ounce .

[Sidenote: Pre-payment required.]

The postage on all letters posted in Canada for the United Kingdom, and in the United Kingdom for Canada, should be pre-paid.

[Sidenote: Unpaid letters.]

If sent unpaid 6d. sterling will be charged on each letter on delivery in addition to the ordinary postage rate.

[Sidenote: Despatch by Canadian and Cunard Steamers.]

Letters posted in Canada for the United Kingdom, and in the United Kingdom for Canada, unless specially addressed "By Canadian Steamer" or "By Cunard Steamer," are despatched in the first mail that is made up--whether for the Canadian or Cunard line--after the letter is posted, so that letters intended for the Canadian Packets must either be posted on the proper days for the Canadian Packet Mails or bear the words "By Canadian Mail Steamer" on the address.

Twopence sterling, equal to 5 cents, will be charged on the delivery of letters which have been forwarded as above by Cunard Steamers, but on which 6d. sterling or 12-1/2 cents, only per 1/2 oz. have been pre-paid.

[Sidenote: British Colonies and Foreign Countries]

The rates upon letters for British Colonies and Foreign Countries will be found in the tables at pages 36, 37, 38, 39, and 40. These tables give the rates: 1, by Canadian Ocean Steamers; 2, by Cunard Steamers; and 3, by United States. It will be desirable always to mark on the letter the route by which it is intended to be sent.

The charge on dead letters returned to the writers is 3 cents on each letter in addition to the postage.

SOLDIERS' AND SEAMENS' LETTERS.

[Sidenote: Rate.]

Non-Commissioned Officers, Embodied Pensioners, Seamen, and Soldiers, and Army Schoolmasters of all but first class, while they are employed in Her Majesty's Service, can send and receive letters at the rate of two cents each under the following regulations:--

[Sidenote: Conditions.]

1. The two cents must be paid at the time the letter is posted.

2. The name of the soldier or sailor, his class or description, and the name of the ship, corps, or detachment to which he belongs, must be specified in the direction of the letter; and in the case of letters sent by soldiers or seamen, the officer in command must sign his name and specify his rank, and the name of the ship or regiment, corps or detachment, which he commands.

3. The letter must not exceed half an ounce in weight.

4. The letter must refer solely to the private affairs of the soldier or seaman.

All the foregoing descriptions must be fully written in the address in the following form, the initials of the name of any ships or regiments being insufficient:--

[Sidenote: Address.]

+---------------------------------------------+ | Seaman. | +---------------------------------------------+ | From A. B.--Seaman of | | H.M.S.____________ | | | |( Here insert direction of the letter .)| | | | C. D., Captain ( or other commanding | | Officer ) | | H.M.S.____________ | +---------------------------------------------+ | To A. B., Seaman, | | H.M.S.____________ | | | | ( Here the direction to be finished .) | +---------------------------------------------+

[Sidenote: Subject to pre-payment of foreign transit rates.]

Letters for soldiers or seamen may be forwarded at the above rate to or through any country requiring the payment of any foreign or transit rate, but subject to the payment of such foreign or transit rate, as may be chargeable thereon.

[Sidenote: Re-direction.]

Soldiers and seamens letters are not liable to any additional rate on re-direction.

[Sidenote: Conveyance.]

All soldiers' and seamens' letters are conveyed between Canada and the United Kingdom by the Canadian line of steamers.

[Sidenote: Letters for commissioned officers, &c.]

Letters sent to or by commissioned or warrant officers, midshipmen or master's mates, engineers in the navy, captain's clerks or first-class schoolmasters, or commissioned or warrant officers in the army, are not included in the privilege attached to letters of soldiers and seamen, but are chargeable with the same rates as ordinary letters.

[Sidenote: Letters posted without compliance with regulations.]

Soldiers and seamens letters posted in Canada without a compliance with the above regulations are liable to full postage. If posted in accordance with the above regulations but without pre-payment of 2 cents they are liable to a charge of 2d. sterling on delivery in the United Kingdom.

RATES OF POSTAGE ON NEWSPAPERS.

[Sidenote: Definition.]

The law declares that for post office purposes a newspaper shall be held to mean a periodical published not less frequently than once in each week, and containing notices of passing events, that is to say, general news.

[Sidenote: Can be sent otherwise than by post.]

Although provision is made for forwarding newspapers through the post, it is not compulsory on any one to employ this mode of transmission; everything except letters may be sent in any other way.

[Sidenote: Restrictions.]

A newspaper to pass at the undermentioned rates is subject to the following restrictions:--

1. It must have no cover, or a cover open at both ends.

2. It must not contain any enclosure.

3. It must have no writing or mark thereon but the name and address of the person to whom it is sent, nor anything on the cover except such name and address.

Newspapers which are not posted in accordance with these regulations are not forwarded.

[Sidenote: Extra or supplement.]

An extra newspaper or a supplement to a newspaper is deemed a distinct newspaper, and charged accordingly.

[Sidenote: Canada commuted rate when sent from office of publication.]

Newspapers published in Canada may be sent by post from the office of publication to any place in Canada at the following rates, if paid quarterly in advance, either by the publisher at the post office where the papers are posted, or by the subscriber at the post office where the papers are delivered.

For a paper published 6 times per week, 40 cents per quarter. " 3 " 20 " " 2 " 13 " " 1 " 6-1/2 " " Semi-Monthly, 3-1/4 " " Monthly, 1-1/4 "

[Sidenote: If commuted rate not prepaid.]

When the above rates are not paid in advance by either the publisher or subscriber the papers are charged 1 cent each on delivery.

[Sidenote: Payment of commuted rate.]

It is not necessary that the commuted rate on newspapers should be paid absolutely on the first day of each quarter. The regulation is intended to be carried out with all possible consideration for the convenience of the public, and it will be sufficient if the person desiring to pay the commuted rate declares his intention and offers the payment when first calling at the office within a reasonable time after the commencement of the quarter; but after having made his option to pre-pay the commuted charge, or to pay for his papers as received at one cent each, as the case may be, postmasters are not expected to alter their newspaper accounts to allow of a change until the commencement of the next quarter.

The commuted rate of payment can be accepted from new subscribers during a quarter for any unexpired period of the quarter not less than a month.

[Sidenote: Transient papers.]

Newspapers published in Canada which are not posted from the office of publication, must be pre-paid one cent each by postage stamps, otherwise they will not be forwarded.

[Sidenote: Publishers subscription accounts and receipts.]

Publishers of newspapers in Canada are allowed to enclose in copies of their papers sent to subscribers, subscription accounts, and receipts for the same, without rendering them liable to any additional postage.

[Sidenote: Packets of returned papers.]

Packets of unbound newspapers published in Canada may be returned by a subscriber to the office of publication, at the rate of 2 cents per 8 oz. or fraction of 8oz., which must be pre-paid.

[Sidenote: Rate to United States.]

Transient newspapers addressed to the United States must be pre-paid one cent each by postage stamp, otherwise they will not be forwarded.

[Sidenote: From United States.]

Newspapers posted in the United States and addressed to Canada are liable to one cent each on delivery. The stamp paid on these papers indicates that the United States postage only has been pre-paid, the Canadian rate of one cent remaining to be collected.

[Sidenote: American papers.]

American newspapers posted or re-posted in Canada must be prepaid one cent each, by stamp, otherwise they will not be forwarded.

[Sidenote: Commuted rate not applicable to U.S. papers.]

The option of paying the commuted rate on newspapers does not apply to papers published in the United States: they must be paid for at the full rate of one cent each.

[Sidenote: News agents.]

Canadian news agents and booksellers may post American newspapers unpaid, when addressed to regular subscribers in the Province; but such newspapers are chargeable on delivery with one cent each.

[Sidenote: Rate to U. Kingdom.]

Newspapers posted in Canada and addressed to the United Kingdom must be pre-paid by stamp, one cent each.

[Sidenote: By Canadian Steamers.]

Newspapers forwarded by Canadian Steamer are delivered in the United Kingdom without additional charge.

[Sidenote: By Cunard Steamers.]