STATUTORY RULES.
1924. No. 15.
REGULATION UNDER THE POST AND TELEGRAPH ACT 1901–1923.
I, THE GOVERNOR‑GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the undermentioned amended Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1923, to come into operation on and from 1st February, 1924.
Dated this sixth day of February, 1924.
FORSTER,
Governor‑General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
W. G. GIBSON,
Postmaster‑General.
Amendment of the Post and Telegraph Regulations.
(Statutory Rules 1913, No. 348, as amended to this date.)
Regulation 372a is repealed, and the following regulation inserted in its stead:—
Lettergrams.
372a. (1) Letter telegrams, in this regulation referred to as lettergrams, shall be accepted for transmission within the Commonwealth, subject to the conditions contained in this regulation.
(2) Lettergrams will be accepted at any hour at telegraph offices which are open after 7 p.m. subject to the condition that delivery is effected by posting at the lettergram office of destination. Lettergrams will be delivered as ordinary letters by the first delivery on the day following that on which the lettergram is handed in. They may also be accepted for transmission by telegraph to a lettergram office for further despatch by mail within or beyond the Commonwealth. If lettergrams are intended to be forwarded by post beyond the Commonwealth, payment of the postage charges must be made by the sender. From the moment the lettergram is posted at the lettergram office of destination it shall be regarded and handled as a letter.
(3) Lettergrams must be written in the English language, must have a connected meaning, and must bear the word “Lettergram” before the address, such word to be counted.
(4) Lettergrams shall not be transmitted as “Multiple” lettergrams nor shall Registered Addresses be used in lettergrams.
(5) In all other respects the form and manner in which lettergrams are written must be in accordance with the regulations dealing with ordinary telegrams.
C.1239.—Price 3d.
(6) The address should be set out as indicated in the following typical example:—
Lettergram—John Watson, 17 Bourke‑street, Ararat.
(7) Subscribers to a telephone exchange at which service is given between the hours of 7 p.m. and midnight may transmit a lettergram during those hours by telephone to the nearest telegraph office which is open for lettergram business, where they will be treated similarly to lettergrams handed in at that office. In such cases the subscribers shall be required to pay, in addition to the charge for transmission, a telephoning fee of 3d. for each forty words or portion thereof.
(8) There shall be charged in respect of lettergrams which are to be transmitted over the trunk line system to or from offices where trunk line facilities are available after 7 p.m., in addition to the charge for transmission and the telephoning for specified in the last preceding sub‑regulation, the charge for the use of the trunk line as provided by the Telephone Regulations.
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
Overview
The Statutory Rules of 1924, No. 15, represent an amendment to the Post and Telegraph Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1923. Enacted by the Governor-General in accordance with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, this legislative instrument aimed to introduce a new form of communication known as lettergrams, which allowed for the transmission of written messages similar to telegrams but with the formality of mail. This was achieved by repealing Regulation 372a and replacing it with a new regulation that outlined the conditions for accepting, writing, and delivering lettergrams. The overarching policy objective appears to be enhancing communication methods within the Commonwealth, providing a service that combines the immediacy of telegrams with the reliability of postal mail.
The new regulation specifies that lettergrams must be written in English, must have a connected meaning, and must be labelled as "Lettergram" before the address. Additionally, it sets out the conditions for their acceptance and transmission, including specific charges and the times during which they can be sent. This amendment was introduced to streamline and formalise the process of sending written messages, thereby addressing a gap in the available communication methods by providing a service that was neither purely a telegram nor an ordinary letter.
Scope and Application
This legislative instrument amends the Post and Telegraph Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1923, specifically regulating the acceptance and transmission of lettergrams within the Commonwealth. Lettergrams are accepted for transmission subject to certain conditions, including being written in English, bearing the word "Lettergram" before the address, and being handled as ordinary letters once posted at the destination lettergram office. The regulations specify the times and conditions under which lettergrams can be submitted, including through telegraph offices and telephone exchanges, and outline the charges applicable for their transmission. The amended regulation replaces the previous Regulation 372a, ensuring that the process and requirements for lettergram transmission are updated and clearly defined. The regulation applies to all individuals and entities within the Commonwealth who wish to use the lettergram service, subject to the outlined conditions and charges.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the amended regulation concern the acceptance, transmission, and delivery of lettergrams. According to Regulation 372a(1), lettergrams can be transmitted within the Commonwealth, subject to certain conditions. Regulation 372a(2) specifies that lettergrams can be accepted at telegraph offices that are open after 7 p.m., with delivery occurring by posting at the destination lettergram office as ordinary letters by the first delivery on the following day. Furthermore, Regulation 372a(2) allows for the acceptance of lettergrams for transmission by telegraph to a lettergram office for further despatch by mail within or beyond the Commonwealth, with the sender required to pay the postage charges if the lettergram is to be forwarded by post beyond the Commonwealth. Regulation 372a(3) mandates that lettergrams must be written in English and must bear the word “Lettergram” before the address. Regulation 372a(4) prohibits the transmission of lettergrams as “Multiple” lettergrams or the use of registered addresses in lettergrams. Regulation 372a(5) states that all other aspects of lettergrams must comply with the regulations governing ordinary telegrams. Regulation 372a(6) provides a sample address format for lettergrams.
The amended regulation imposes obligations on the parties involved in the transmission and delivery of lettergrams. Firstly, telegraph offices are required to accept lettergrams subject to the conditions outlined in the regulation. Secondly, lettergrams must be written in English, bear the word “Lettergram” before the address, and must not be transmitted as “Multiple” lettergrams or registered addresses. Thirdly, if lettergrams are to be transmitted beyond the Commonwealth, the sender must pay the applicable postage charges. Fourthly, subscribers to a telephone exchange that offers service between 7 p.m. and midnight may transmit a lettergram during those hours by telephone to the nearest telegraph office open for lettergram business, with an additional telephoning fee of 3d for each forty words or portion thereof.
The amended regulation does not explicitly state any offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breach. However, it is reasonable to infer that non-compliance with the conditions for the acceptance, transmission, and delivery of lettergrams could result in the refusal of service or the return of the lettergram to the sender. Additionally, failure to pay the applicable postage charges for lettergrams intended to be forwarded by post beyond the Commonwealth could also result in the refusal of service or the return of the lettergram to the sender. It is also possible that non-compliance with the regulation could result in disciplinary action against the relevant telegraph office or employee.