Chapter 3

Chapter 33,613 wordsPublic domain

Newspapers forwarded by Cunard Steamer are liable on delivery to one penny each, being the American transit rate.

[Sidenote: From U. Kingdom.]

Newspapers posted in the United Kingdom for Canada should be pre-paid one penny each, by stamp.

[Sidenote: By Canadian Steamers.]

If forwarded by Canadian Steamer they are subject on delivery to no additional charge.

[Sidenote: By Cunard Steamers.]

If forwarded by Cunard Steamer they are subject on delivery to two cents each, being the American transit rate.

[Sidenote: Brit. papers reposted.]

British newspapers re-posted in Canada must be pre-paid 1 cent each, by stamp.

[Sidenote: Brit. papers posted by agents.]

British newspapers distributed to regular subscribers by Canadian booksellers or agents pass free in the same way as if received by the Canadian Steamers.

[Sidenote: Commuted rate on newspapers to places out of Canada.]

Canadian newspapers addressed from the office of publication to subscribers in the United States, the United Kingdom, Lower Provinces, &c., may be forwarded on pre-payment of the commuted rate, applicable to subscribers within the Province; but they cannot be forwarded if unpaid.

[Sidenote: Exchanges free.]

Exchange papers passing between publishers in Canada and between publishers in Canada and publishers in the United States, are carried free through the post.

[Sidenote: No other exemption from charge.]

No newspaper, properly so called (except exchanges), whether devoted to education, temperance, agriculture, or to any branch of science, is entitled to exemption from charge. The law exempts only periodicals, other than newspapers, printed in Canada, and devoted exclusively to the above objects.

[Sidenote: Newfoundland.]

Newspapers addressed to Newfoundland must be pre-paid two cents each, by stamp.

[Sidenote: British Colonies and Foreign Countries]

The rates on newspapers addressed to 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 the United States.

[Sidenote: No United States paper exempt.]

No United States newspapers of any kind or description (with the exception of exchange papers) are on any ground entitled to pass through the Canadian mails free of postage.

[Sidenote: How to be forwarded from publication office.]

In cities and towns where newspapers are published, the printers and publishers should send them to the post office put up in a manner to admit of their being readily counted, and if necessary withdrawn from their covers for examination. The newspapers for each office also should be made up in strong paper in a separate parcel, which should be plainly addressed.

[Sidenote: Notification to publishers of non-delivery.]

When the numbers of a newspaper published in Canada or in either of the other British North American Provinces, or in the United States, and issued daily, have remained in a post office in Canada uncalled for during two weeks; of a newspaper issued semi-weekly, or tri-weekly, during three weeks; of a newspaper issued weekly, during one month; and of a monthly periodical during two months, or when such newspapers and periodicals have been refused to be taken by the party to whom addressed, the postmaster is instructed to notify the respective publishers in the proper form, which is to pass free of postage. If the newspaper or periodical continues to arrive after the notice has been sent, the postmaster is instructed to notify the publisher in the same way a second time, specially calling his attention to the first notice given.

[Sidenote: Enclosures in newspapers.]

To enclose a letter, or any writing, or to make any written marks to serve the purposes of a letter, or to enclose any other thing (except publishers' accounts and receipts, as before mentioned) in a newspaper posted to pass as a newspaper, is a misdemeanor. Postmasters are requested at once to transmit all newspapers containing such writing, marks, and enclosures to the Postmaster General.

PERIODICAL PUBLICATIONS.

[Sidenote: Definition.]

Periodical Publications are publications issued at regular intervals, but less frequently than once per week.

[Sidenote: Rate to Canada and U. States.]

Periodical Publications can be transmitted by post to any part of Canada and the United States at the following rates:--

For every periodical publication weighing not more than 3 oz. in weight .................................. 1 cent. Over 3oz. in weight .................................. 4 cents. 4 cents.

[Sidenote: Pre-pay'mt]

The above rates must invariably be pre-paid by postage stamps.

[Sidenote: Sent from publication office.]

If pre-paid by postage stamps and sent from the office of publication, periodicals published in Canada weighing over 3 oz. pass for two cents each.

[Sidenote: From United States.]

Periodical publications received from the United States are liable to the rates above mentioned, viz.: If not exceeding 3 oz. 1 cent; if exceeding 3 oz. 4 cents.

[Sidenote: If posted by booksellers or news agents.]

Canadian Booksellers and News Agents may post British, American or Provincial periodicals for distribution to regular subscribers unpaid. If sent unpaid they will, when exceeding the weight of 3 oz., be subject to 4 cents.

[Sidenote: Small periodicals posted by booksellers and news agents.]

Canadian Booksellers and News Agents may also post for transmission by mail in Canada small periodicals, whether Canadian, British or United States, weighing less than 1 oz., such as the Children's Paper, Child's Paper, The Play Hour, The Carrier Dove, The Sabbath School Visitor, The Evangelizer, The Gospel Message, The Good News, and others of a like description, in packages to one address, at the rate of 5 cents per pound, or fraction of a pound bulk weight, provided that the said News Agents and Booksellers pre-pay such packages by postage stamps. This must not be understood as imposing a charge on Canadian periodicals entitled to pass free.

[Sidenote: Periodicals exempt from postage.]

Periodicals printed in Canada other than newspapers when specially devoted to education, meaning the instruction of youth, (both religious and general), to agriculture, to temperance, or to any branch of science, and addressed directly from the office of publication to be transmitted to any post-office in Canada, are conveyed by mail free of charge. Such periodicals must not contain general news or advertisements or they forfeit their claim to exemption.

A periodical devoted to education to pass free must be either strictly scholastic in its subject matter, or manifestly adapted and intended for juvenile as distinguished from adult instruction. It is in this primary sense that the word Education, whether religious or secular, is understood to be used. Religious publications are not as a class entitled to exemption from charge. The law exempts only those which come within the foregoing definitions.

[Sidenote: U.S. periodicals not exempt.]

No United States periodical of any kind or description can, upon any ground, claim exemption from Canadian postage.

[Sidenote: Returned periodicals.]

Parcels of unbound periodicals may be returned by a subscriber to the office of publication at the rate of two cents per 8 oz. or fraction of 8 oz.

[Sidenote: Conditions]

Periodicals to pass at the above rates must be put up in covers open at the ends or sides, and if these regulations are not strictly complied with, or if such periodicals are found to contain any writing other than the address, they are liable to full letter rates of postage.

[Sidenote: Not to exceed 48 oz.]

No packet of periodicals can be forwarded through the post if exceeding the weight of 48 oz.

[Sidenote: Bound periodicals.]

Bound volumes of any periodical published in Canada may be forwarded at the rates and under the conditions described under the article Book Post .

BOOK POST.

[Sidenote: Canada, B. N. America, and United States.]

Books bound or unbound posted in Canada, and addressed to any office in Canada, British North America and the United States, are chargeable with a rate of 1 cent per oz., which must be pre-paid by postage stamps.

[Sidenote: United Kingdom.]

Book packets are forwarded by post from Canada to the United Kingdom, and vice versâ , by Canadian Steamers only, at the following rates:--

[Sidenote: Scale of charge.]

For each packet weighing not more than 4 oz., 7 cents. " " exceeding 4 oz. and not exceed. 1/2 lb., 12-1/2 cts. " " " 1/2 lb. " " 1 " 25 " " " " 1 " " " 1-1/2 " 37-1/2 " " " " 1-1/2 " " " 2 " 50 "

And so on, adding 12-1/2 cents for each additional half pound, or fraction of half a pound weight.

[Sidenote: France.]

Book packets, printed matter, or single newspapers, can be forwarded from Canada to France, or vice versâ, by Canadian Steamers only , at the following rates:--

[Sidenote: Scale of charge.]

If not exceeding 2 oz. in weight 5 cents. If exceeding 2 oz. and not exceeding 4 oz. 10 " " 4 " " 8 " 20 " " 8 " " 1 lb. 40 "

And so on, adding 20 cents for each additional 1/2 lb. or fraction of 1/2 lb.

[Sidenote: Conditions]

The following conditions must be carefully observed:--

1. Every book packet must be either without a cover or in a cover open at the ends.

2. It must not contain any letter open or sealed, or any sealed enclosure whatever.

3. It must not exceed two feet in length, breadth, or width.

4. The postage must be pre-paid by stamps.

[Sidenote: Contents of a book packet.]

A book packet may contain any number of separate books, publications, works of literature or art, almanacs, maps or prints, photographs, daguerreotypes, when not on glass or in frames containing glass, and any quantity of paper, vellum, or parchment (to the exclusion of letters); and the books, maps, paper, &c. , may be either written, printed or plain, or any mixture of the three, and may be either British, Colonial or Foreign.

All legitimate binding, mounting, or covering of the same, or a portion thereof, will be allowed as part of the packet, whether such binding, &c., be loose or attached, as also rollers in the case of prints and maps, and whatever may be necessary for the safe transmission of literary or artistic matter, or whatever usually appertains thereto, and the postage is rated upon the gross weight of the packet.

[Sidenote: Sender's address permitted on cover.]

The name and address of the sender, and anything else not in the nature of a letter, may also be written and printed on the envelope or cover of the packet, in addition to the name and address of the person to whom it may be forwarded.

[Sidenote: Books carried at parcel rates.]

Books addressed to places in Canada can be sent through the mails in closed packets for the same rates of postage as parcels.

[Sidenote: Cannot be sent by Cunard Steamers.]

Books cannot be forwarded except at letter rates of postage by the mail made up for the Cunard Steamers sailing from New York and Boston.

[Sidenote: Bound volumes of newspapers or periodicals.]

Bound volumes of any periodical or newspaper published in Canada, if bound in a form to come within mailable dimensions, that is to say, not exceeding two feet in length, breadth or thickness, nor exceeding 4 lbs. in weight, may be sent from the office of publication to any place in Canada at a charge of two cents per 8 ozs. or fraction of 8 ozs.

[Sidenote: Book packets for United Kingdom improperly posted.]

Should a book packet addressed to the United Kingdom be posted unpaid, or with a pre-payment of less than 7 cents, or be enclosed in a cover not open at the ends, or should it exceed the dimensions specified, it will be sent to the Dead Letter Office.

[Sidenote: Do. insufficiently paid.]

If a book packet addressed to the United Kingdom be posted insufficiently pre-paid, and it appears that at least the single rate of 7 cents has been pre-paid, such packet will be forwarded to its destination charged with an additional postage equal to the deficiency, and another single rate as a fine.

[Sidenote: Letters enclosed in book packets.]

Letters, whether sealed or unsealed, or any enclosure found in a book parcel, are liable to rates as unpaid letters, and the packet in which enclosed to an additional rate of 12-1/2 cents, as a penalty for a breach of the regulations.

[Sidenote: British Colonies and Foreign Countries.]

The rates of postage on books to British Colonies and Foreign Countries are given in the tables at pages 36, 37, 38, and 39.

PRINTED PAPERS, CIRCULARS, PRICES CURRENT, HAND BILLS, &c.

[Sidenote: Canada, British America and United States.]

Printed circulars, prices current, hand bills, and other printed matter of a like character, posted in Canada, and addressed to any place in Canada, British North America, or the United States, are chargeable with a rate of one cent per oz., which must be pre-paid by postage stamp.

[Sidenote: School Returns.]

The half-yearly School Returns made by School Trustees to the Local Superintendants of Schools, may, though the printed form be partly filled up in writing with the names of the pupils and days of attendance, be transmitted by post in Canada at the rate of one cent each, to be pre-paid by stamp.

When not filled up the above forms are printed matter, and liable as such to one cent per oz. postage.

[Sidenote: Military Returns, &c.]

Military returns, states, and rolls, containing written figures and signatures, may be forwarded as printed matter on pre-payment of one cent per ounce.

[Sidenote: Circulars to United Kingdom.]

Printed circulars may be transmitted by post to the United Kingdom under the regulations and charges of the Book Post. They must be forwarded, however, open at the ends, or sides. If sent in envelopes, sealed or unsealed, they are liable to letter rates of postage.

[Sidenote: Prices current to United Kingdom.]

Prices current, posted in Canada and addressed to any place in the United Kingdom, are liable to a rate of 2 cents each, which must be pre-paid by stamp.

[Sidenote: Lithographed letters and circ'lars]

Lithographed letters and circulars are allowed to pass through the Post at the same rate as printed circulars.

PRINTED VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT AND COLONIAL LEGISLATURES.

The special rate under which printed Votes and Proceedings of the Imperial Parliament and Colonial Legislatures were formerly transmitted in the English mails, has been abolished, and such matter now passes to and from the United Kingdom at the ordinary book post charge.

PARCEL POST.

[Sidenote: Not to exceed 3 lbs.]

Parcels closed at the ends and sides, and not exceeding 3 lbs. in weight, may be posted at any post-office in Canada for conveyance to any other post-office in Canada at the following rates:--

[Sidenote: Scale of charge.]

For each parcel weighing not more than 1 lb 25 cts. Exceeding 1 lb. and not exceeding 2 lbs. 50 " " 2 " " " 3 " 75 "

[Sidenote: Conditions under which carried.]

The following conditions must be carefully observed:--

1. No letter or letters shall be enclosed.

2. The parcel shall not contain any explosive substance, glass, liquids, or other matter likely to injure the ordinary contents of the mail.

3. The weight of the parcel shall not exceed 3 lbs., nor the size exceed one foot in length or breadth, or six inches in thickness.

4. The postage must be pre-paid by stamps.

5. The parcel should have the words "By Parcel Post," plainly written on the address. It should be well and strongly put up, and be legibly addressed to the post-office address of the intended receiver, the name of the County in which the said office is situated being added.

[Sidenote: Sender's name on address.]

If the name and address of the sender be written on the parcel it will, if delivery should fail from any cause, be returned from the Dead Letter Office unopened to the sender, on payment of an additional rate for the return conveyance.

[Sidenote: Parcels insufficiently pre-paid.]

If the number of stamps affixed to a parcel be insufficient to pre-pay the proper rate, the amount deficient will be rated unpaid, with a fine of 10 cents in addition.

[Sidenote: Registered parcels.]

Parcels may be registered on pre-payment, by stamp, of five cents in addition to the postage. When registered the Postmaster should give a receipt to the party posting the parcel.

[Sidenote: Contents allowed in parcels.]

Parcels sent by post may contain books, daguerreotypes, photographs, printers' proof and copy, military returns, states and rolls, containing written figures and signatures; returns, deeds, legal papers, and all transmissions of a like character not being strictly letters.

[Sidenote: Enclosure of letters in parcels.]

To enclose a letter or letters, or any writing intended to serve the purpose of a letter, in a parcel intended for the Parcel Post is a misdemeanour.

Should it be ascertained that a packet posted for the Parcel Post contains a letter or Letters, the stamps it may bear will be cancelled, and the parcel rated as a letter with full unpaid rates.

[Sidenote: Parcel post confined to Canada.]

Parcels cannot be transmitted by post at the above rates to any place beyond the limits of the Province of Canada.

[Sidenote: Address.]

The following is an example of the address recommended:--

FRANKING AND FREE LETTERS.

[Sidenote: Matter exempt from postage.]

The following matter is exempt from Provincial Postage:

All letters and other mailable matter addressed to or sent by the Governor General of Canada, or addressed to or sent by any Public Department at the seat of Government.

All letters and other mailable matter addressed to or sent by the Speaker or Chief Clerk of the Legislative Council or of the Legislative Assembly; or to or by any Member of the Legislature at the Seat of Government during any Session of the Legislature, or addressed to any of the Members or Officers in this Section mentioned at the Seat of Government as aforesaid, during the ten days next before the meeting of Parliament.

All public documents and printed papers sent by the Speaker or Chief Clerk of the Legislative Council or Legislative Assembly, to any Member of either of the said branches of the Legislature of Canada, during the recess of Parliament.

All papers printed by order of either branch of the Legislature of Canada, sent by Members of either branch of the said Legislatures, either during the Session or recess.

[Sidenote: Signature required in addresses.]

Public documents and printed papers sent under the two foregoing clauses, should bear, as part of the address, the bona fide superscription of the Speaker, Chief Clerk, or officer specially deputed for this purpose to act for those functionaries, or of the Member sending the same.

[Sidenote: P. M. G., D. P. M. G. & Post Office Inspectors.]

All letters to and from the Postmaster General and the Deputy Postmaster General; and all official communications to and from the Post Office Department and to and from the Post Office Inspectors, are to pass free of any Provincial postage.

[Sidenote: Military departments and officers.]

Letters on Her Majesty's service passing between the United Kingdom and Canada, to or from the following Imperial Military Departments, are exempt from Canadian postage:

Military Secretary. Adjutant General. Quarter-Master General. Commissariat Department. Barrack Department. Medical Department (including Purveyors.) Comptroller of Army Expenditure. Military Accountant. Royal Engineer Department. Regimental Paymaster and Officers Commanding.

ABATING AND REFUNDING POSTAGE.

[Sidenote: Postmasters may refund.]

Postmasters in Canada are allowed to refund postage in the following cases only:--

[Sidenote: Charges for over weight.]

Letters charged as weighing more than the actual weight.

[Sidenote: On editors' notices and exchanges.]

Postage incorrectly charged on editor's notices addressed to publishers and editors, and exchange papers, which should legally pass without charge.

[Sidenote: Other cases to be referred to Postmaster General.]

All other claims for the return or abatement of postage must be specially referred to the Postmaster General for his decision, with the letter or packet on which the return is claimed.

UNDELIVERED AND DEAD LETTERS.

[Sidenote: Advertized on 1st of each month.]

All letters remaining undelivered in a post office on the first of each month, excepting drop letters and such letters as are daily called for, are advertized in a list posted at the office door for the information of the public.

[Sidenote: Advertizement in newspaper.]

If a newspaper is published in the neighbourhood the Postmaster is directed to insert this list therein, provided the proprietor will give it insertion at the authorized rate.

[Sidenote: Advertized letters to be asked for as such.]

Parties applying at an office for advertized letters should always ask for them as such.

[Sidenote: When sent to Dead Letter office.]

Letters and papers after remaining undelivered in an office for three months are sent to the Dead Letter Office, as also are all letters refused by the persons to whom they are addressed or letters addressed to persons deceased.

[Sidenote: Return to writers.]

Every letter which is opened at the Dead Letter Office and found to contain the address of the sender is sent back to him; but such as do not contain the sender's address are destroyed, excepting always those which contain money and other articles of value, which are kept for a reasonable time for the purpose of being reclaimed.

REGISTRATION.

[Sidenote: Fees on Registered Letters.]

By the pre-payment of the following fee, in addition to the ordinary postage, letters and parcels can be registered at the office at which posted:--

[Sidenote: To Canada.]

On letters addressed to any place in Canada or the other British North American Provinces 2 cents.

[Sidenote: To U. States.]

On letters addressed to any place in the United States 5 "

[Sidenote: To U.K.]

" " " " United Kingdom 12-1/2 "

[Sidenote: On parcels.]

On parcels to any part of Canada 5 cents.

[Sidenote: To B. Col. and Foreign Countries.]