Post and Telegraph Regulations 1913 (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules of 1916, No. 231, amend the Post and Telegraph Regulations 1913, establishing new arrangements for public holidays in the context of postal and telegraph services across Australia. Enacted by the Governor-General in Council, these amendments were introduced to ensure consistent and efficient postal services on public holidays while maintaining the public's convenience. The regulation specifically outlines the operational hours and services available for various postal and telegraph offices on public holidays, including Christmas Day, Good Friday, and other proclaimed holidays, while also addressing the need for special arrangements when British and Foreign mails are involved.

Scope and Application

This Statutory Rule, numbered No. 231 of 1916, amends the Post and Telegraph Regulations 1913 under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1916, applying to all Post and Telegraph Offices across the Commonwealth of Australia. The regulation specifically alters the holiday arrangements for postal and telegraphic services, detailing how services will operate on public holidays, including Christmas Day, Good Friday, and other proclaimed public holidays. The amended regulation specifies the hours of operation for various postal services, such as the General Post Office, Private boxes, Parcels Office, and Telegraph Office, among others, and provides that services will either close earlier or operate under special arrangements if public holidays fall on days when mail is usually despatched. Notably, the Money Order Office is to remain closed on these holidays, while other offices will operate from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., with the exception of the first delivery by letter carriers which is to be effected only once.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the amended Post and Telegraph Regulations 1913 (Statutory Rules 1913, No. 348) concern the holiday arrangements for postal and telegraph services. Regulation 5 specifically addresses the operating hours and services provided on public holidays, including Christmas Day, Good Friday, and other public holidays proclaimed throughout the Commonwealth or in any state or part of a state. For example, on Christmas Day and Good Friday, the same arrangements as on Sunday apply (Reg. 5). For other public holidays, including New Year’s Day, Easter Monday, King’s Birthday, Boxing Day, and other holidays proclaimed throughout the Commonwealth or in any state or part of a state, the regulations specify that services will be provided at reduced hours or with certain services closed. The obligations imposed by these regulations on postal and telegraph services include maintaining certain operational hours and service provisions on public holidays. For instance, General Post Offices, delivery offices, registration offices, and offices for the sale of postage stamps must open from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on these holidays, while private boxes and the Chief Telegraph Office remain open as on ordinary days (Reg. 5). Additionally, the country mails, coastwise, inter-state, and foreign mails must close at 10 a.m. unless otherwise specially intimated. Parcels and money order offices also have specific operating hours, with the money order office closed entirely on these holidays (Reg. 5). Furthermore, if British and foreign mails arrive or are despatched on these holidays, special arrangements must be made to suit the public convenience. The regulations also outline the consequences for non-compliance. Although the statutory rules do not explicitly state penalties, non-compliance with the stipulated holiday arrangements could potentially lead to service disruptions and dissatisfaction among the public. In practical terms, failing to adhere to the specified operating hours and service provisions on public holidays might result in the inability to deliver mail or provide telegraph services as expected, which could have legal and reputational repercussions for the postal and telegraph authorities.