STATUTORY RULES.
1925. No. 143.
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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 forthwith.
Dated this twenty-sixth day of August, 1925.
FORSTER,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
W. G. GIBSON,
Postmaster-General.
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Amendment of the Post and Telegraph Regulations.
(Statutory Rules 1913, No. 348, as amended to this date.)
Regulation 350 is omitted and the following regulation inserted in its stead:—
350. Telegrams shall, except in cases in which natural obstacles or other difficulties intervene, be delivered free of charge within a radius of 3 miles from a Chief Telegraph Office, and within a radius of 1½ miles from any other office from which a delivery of telegrams is made, and at which a telegraph messenger is employed for that purpose. Telegrams for delivery to addressees beyond a radius of 3 miles but within 3½ miles from a Chief Telegraph Office shall he delivered on payment of a charge of 3d. for each delivery, irrespective of the number of telegrams for the same addressee delivered at the one time. Beyond the above-mentioned radii of 3½ miles and l½ miles respectively, delivery expenses will be charged. For telegrams to be delivered on shipboard, a charge for boat hire, if necessary, may be made.
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Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by H. J. Green, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
C. 11927.—Price 3d.
Overview
The Post and Telegraph Regulations of 1925, enacted by the Governor-General under the authority of the Federal Executive Council, aim to amend the delivery standards and charges for telegrams as specified under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1923. This legislative instrument addresses the need to clarify and refine the existing regulations concerning the delivery of telegrams, particularly in relation to the distances and associated charges for delivery. By setting forth specific radii from Chief Telegraph Offices and other designated locations, the Regulations ensure a consistent approach to delivering telegrams within certain proximity limits and establish a fee structure for deliveries exceeding these limits, thereby enhancing the operational efficiency and financial transparency of the postal and telegraph services.
The primary policy objective of these amendments is to provide a clear framework for the delivery of telegrams, ensuring that both the public and the postal service are well-informed about the scope of free delivery and the applicable charges for extended distances. This regulation was intended to streamline the delivery process and provide definitive guidelines to avoid ambiguities in service provision, ultimately contributing to better service management and customer satisfaction.
Scope and Application
The Post and Telegraph Regulations 1925, established under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1923, govern the delivery of telegrams within the Commonwealth of Australia. The regulations pertain specifically to the delivery of telegrams by the postal service, ensuring that telegrams are delivered free of charge within specified distances from telegraph offices. Telegrams delivered within a three-mile radius of a Chief Telegraph Office and within a one-and-a-half-mile radius from other offices equipped with a telegraph messenger are to be delivered without charge. For deliveries beyond these radii but within a three-and-a-half-mile radius from a Chief Telegraph Office, a charge of three pence per delivery applies, irrespective of the number of telegrams. Beyond these set radii, additional delivery expenses will be charged, and for telegrams delivered on shipboard, a charge for boat hire may also apply. The regulations apply nationwide, impacting both the delivery service providers and recipients of telegrams within the Commonwealth.
Key Provisions
The primary operative sections of this amended Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1923 focus on the delivery of telegrams. Section 350 outlines the delivery scope and charges for telegrams within specified distances from telegraph offices (Section 350). Specifically, telegrams are to be delivered free of charge within a 3-mile radius from a Chief Telegraph Office and within a 1.5-mile radius from other offices that employ a telegraph messenger for this purpose. For deliveries between 3 miles and 3.5 miles from a Chief Telegraph Office, a charge of 3 pence per delivery applies, irrespective of the number of telegrams delivered at one time. Beyond these specified radii, delivery charges are applicable, and additional charges may be levied for boat hire if the delivery is to a ship at sea.
The Act imposes certain obligations on the parties involved, primarily focusing on the delivery of telegrams within the specified distances and charging appropriately beyond these distances. The Chief Telegraph Office and other designated offices must ensure that telegrams are delivered within the free delivery radius as stipulated. Offices employing a telegraph messenger must adhere to the delivery protocols and charge the appropriate fees for deliveries beyond the free delivery area. Furthermore, the Act mandates that charges for boat hire may be applied if telegrams are to be delivered to ships at sea.
In terms of penalties and consequences, the Regulation does not explicitly state any specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breaches. However, non-compliance with the specified delivery protocols and charging requirements could potentially lead to administrative actions, fines, or other penalties as prescribed by the overarching Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1923 or subsequent amendments. While the exact penalties are not detailed in this Regulation, it is reasonable to infer that breaches of the delivery and charging stipulations could result in legal ramifications under the broader legislative framework.