STATUTORY RULES.
1915. No. 189.
REGULATION UNDER THE POST AND TELEGRAPH ACT 1901-1913.
I, SIR ARTHUR STANLEY, Governor of the State of Victoria and its Dependencies, in the Commonwealth of Australia, acting as the Deputy of the Governor-General in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the undermentioned amended Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1913 to come into operation forthwith.
Dated this sixth day of October, One thousand nine hundred and fifteen.
A. L. STANLEY,
Deputy for the Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
W. G. SPENCE.
Postmaster-General.
Amendment of the Post and Telegraph Regulations 1913 (Statutory Rules 1913 No. 348).
Regulation 350 is repealed, and the following Regulation is inserted in its stead:—
350. Telegrams shall be delivered free of charge within a radius of 3 miles from a General Post Office, and within a radius of 1 mile from any other office from which a delivery of telegrams is made. Telegrams for addresses beyond the above-mentioned radii, but within a radius of 3½ miles from a General Post Office or within a radius of 1½ miles from any other office of destination to which a messenger is attached, shall be delivered on payment of a charge of Threepence (3d.) for each delivery, irrespective of the number of telegrams; for the same addressee delivered at the one time, but the Department will not undertake delivery in any case in which natural obstacles or other difficulties intervene. Beyond the above-mentioned radii of 3½ miles and 1½ miles delivery expenses shall be charged. For telegrams to be delivered on shipboard a charge for boat hire, if necessary, may be made.
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
C.8965.—Price 3d.
Overview
The Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1913, as amended by Statutory Rules 1915 No. 189, was enacted to refine the regulations surrounding the delivery of telegrams within Australia. The objective of these regulations was to establish clear guidelines on the delivery charges and the scope of free delivery services for telegrams, ensuring efficient and transparent postal services. The regulations were introduced to address the need for a more structured approach to postal charges and delivery areas, thereby improving the functionality and accessibility of telegram services across the nation. The regulations were made by the Governor of the State of Victoria, acting as the Deputy of the Governor-General in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, and were advised by the Federal Executive Council. These amendments sought to formalise the delivery charges and the boundaries within which telegrams could be delivered free of charge, ensuring consistency and fairness in postal service operations.
Scope and Application
This statutory rule, numbered 1915 No. 189, is an amendment to the Post and Telegraph Regulations 1913, made under the authority of the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1913. The regulation concerns the delivery of telegrams and specifies the free delivery radius from General Post Offices and other designated offices, as well as the charges for telegrams delivered beyond these specified radii. The regulation applies to all persons and entities sending or receiving telegrams within the Commonwealth of Australia, with a specific focus on the delivery logistics and associated costs. It mandates that telegrams are to be delivered free of charge within certain distances from post offices and imposes a fee for deliveries beyond these distances, except in cases where natural obstacles or other difficulties prevent delivery. The regulation also allows for additional charges for boat hire if telegrams are to be delivered on shipboard. This amendment aims to clarify and adjust the delivery protocols and financial responsibilities related to telegram services within the specified jurisdictional scope of the Commonwealth.
Key Provisions
The operative sections of this legislation primarily concern the amendment of Regulation 350 under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1913. This regulation outlines the delivery terms for telegrams, specifying the distances within which telegrams can be delivered free of charge and the charges applicable beyond these distances (Reg. 350). According to the regulation, telegrams must be delivered free of charge within a 3-mile radius from a General Post Office and a 1-mile radius from any other office making deliveries (Reg. 350). Telegrams sent to addresses just beyond these initial radii but within 3½ miles from a General Post Office or 1½ miles from other offices with messenger services attached are subject to a charge of Threepence (3d) per delivery, regardless of the number of telegrams sent to the same addressee at one time (Reg. 350). Any telegrams sent beyond these extended radii incur additional delivery charges, and in cases where natural obstacles or other difficulties prevent delivery, the Department does not undertake the delivery (Reg. 350). Furthermore, for telegrams delivered on shipboard, a charge for boat hire may be imposed if necessary (Reg. 350).
The obligations imposed by this regulation on the parties it governs include ensuring that telegrams are delivered according to the specified terms and conditions. Post Offices and other designated offices are obligated to deliver telegrams free of charge within the designated radii and to charge the appropriate fees for deliveries beyond these radii (Reg. 350). The Department must also refrain from delivering telegrams in situations where natural obstacles or other difficulties make delivery impossible (Reg. 350). Additionally, for telegrams delivered on shipboard, the Department may impose a boat hire charge if required (Reg. 350).
Failure to comply with the provisions of this regulation may result in various consequences, including financial penalties and administrative sanctions. While specific penalties are not outlined in the regulation, breaches of postal regulations generally could lead to fines, reimbursement of delivery charges, or other administrative actions as deemed appropriate by the relevant authorities. The regulation underscores the importance of adhering to the stipulated delivery terms to avoid any potential repercussions.