NEW POSTAL REGULATIONS.

Clutha Leader, 20 September 1878, Page 4

NEW POSTAL REGULATIONS.

A supplementary Gazette contains the alterations of the rates of postage as follows : — ln lieu of the present regulations re sample and parcel post, every article of merchandise, whether raw and manufactured, and of a character not likely to injure the contents of the mail bags, or to do bodily harm to any officer of the Post Office, is now accepted under the Regulations of the Inland Pattern and Sample and Parcel Postage. The following are the rules of the Inland Pattern and Sample and Parcel Post : A pattern, sample or parcel packet may contain patterns, samples or articles of merchandise, goods sent for sale or in execution of an order, or any articles sent by one private individual to another ; seeds, cuttings, bulbs, and roots may also be forwarded. The postage is one penny not exceeding two ounces, twopence not exceeding four ounces, and one penny for every additional two ounces or fraction of two ounces. A pattern, sample, or parcel packet must be sent in a stout and durable cover, open at the ends, so as to be easy of examination. Seeds, drugs, &c, may be enclosed in tin boxes, or in bags of linen, or other material, fastened in such a manner that they may be readily evened, or in the case of seed in bags entirely closed, provided that they are transparent, so that the officers of the department may be able to satisfy themselves as to the nature of the contents. If this rule be infringed the packet will be charged double letter postage. For book packets the rate of postage is the same as for parcels. Book packets may comprise bills of lading, printed catalogues, manuscript, or books, or pamphlets, paintings, printers' proofs, assurance policies, invoices, legal documents ; in fact any writing or printed communication not being an actual and personal correspondence. Press manuscripts intended for publication may be sent by book post. No book packet to be sealed, but the name of the sender may be endorsed.

Bishop Selwyn, of Melanesia, heard of his father's death casually from a trader in the Islands. He left for Sydney at the first opportunity, and thence goes to Norfolk Island. He will go on to Auckland, en route for JpnglancL , ' ' -„<y.