Postal, Telegraphic and Telephone Regulations (Amendment)

Legislation au C1908L00107 Regulations Not in force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

STATUTORY RULES.

1908. No. 107.

 

REGULATIONS UNDER THE POST AND TELEGRAPH ACT 1901.

(Issued provisionally as Statutory Rules 1908, Nos. 61 and 74.)

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 Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901, namely:—

Postal Regulations.

Private Boxes.

Registration.

Telegraphic Regulations.

Telegrams within the Commonwealth.—Extra Rates after Ordinary Business Hours, and on Sunday, Christmas Day, and Good Friday;

Telephone Regulations.

Part IV.—Public Telephones.

General Postal Regulations.

Late Fees.

Telephone Regulations.

Part 1.—Telephone Exchanges, Regulation 31;

to come into operation on the 24th day of October, 1908.

Dated this thirtieth day of September, one thousand nine hundred and eight.

DUDLEY,

Governor-General.

By His Excellency’s Command,

SAMUEL MAUGER.

 

Postal Regulations.

Private Boxes.

Regulation 1 under this head (Statutory Rules 1908, No. 39) is repealed, and the following regulation substituted in lieu thereof:—

1. (1) Locked Private Boxes may be rented at the General Post Office, and, where provided, at other Post Offices (except those hereinafter provided for) on payment in advance of the following fees:—

For a large box......................

£3 per annum.

For a medium-sized box................

£2 per annum.

For a small box......................

£1 per annum.

 

 

 

C.13094.—Price 3d.


(2) In the case of a country town where, other than on holidays deliveries are not effected by letter carriers at least twice a day on at least five days per week, the fee for a small private box shall be only 10s. per annum, payable in advance, provided that at least ten persons are severally prepared to rent private boxes at the post office at that town for at least one year.

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions in this regulation for payment of annual fees, persons who declare that they are temporary residents only, and who desire to rent a private box for a limited time, may be allowed the use of such box for a minimum period of three months. In those cases the fee will be charged from the first day of the month in which the box is taken, and a deposit of Five shillings, in addition to the fee, must be made as a guarantee for return in good order of the keys of the box, which deposit will be refunded on the keys being so returned.

Registration.

Regulation 4 under this head (Statutory Rules 1907, No. 123) is repealed, and the following substituted in lieu thereof:—

4. (1) No registered postal article shall be delivered to any person other than—

(a) The addressee in person; or,

(b) A person authorized by an order from the addressee to receive registered postal articles on his behalf; or,

(c) In the case of business establishments, public institutions, hotels, and lodging houses, the proprietor, or manager, or some person authorized by the proprietor or manager to receive the correspondence at such places.

(2) An order under paragraph (b) must bear the date on which it was made, and the addressee’s address, and must be witnessed by some person other than the person in whose favour it is made, and must be delivered to the Postmaster or other proper officer.

Telegraphic Regulations.

Telegrams within the Commonwealth.—Extra Rates after Ordinary Business Hours, and on Sunday, Christmas Day, and Good Friday.

The regulation under this head (Gazette of 5th June, 1902) is repealed, and the following regulation substituted in lieu thereof:—

Double the prescribed rates shall be charged on telegrams (press telegrams excepted) tendered for transmission on Sunday, Christmas Day, and Good Friday; and on other days, between 8 p.m. and 9 a.m., in those States in which offices open for business at 9 a.m., and between the corresponding hours in other States, for transmission to offices where business is transacted during those hours.

Telephone Regulations.

Part IV.—Public Telephones.

Regulation No. 49 under this head (Statutory Rules 1906, No. 114) is amended by the addition of the following new clause at the end thereof:—

8. A public telephone will be provided at a cab rank, where required, on the understanding that if a minimum revenue of £5 per annum be not derived from the use of the telephone the instrument


will be removed. Any cab proprietor or driver using the cab rank so connected shall be entitled to use the telephone upon payment of the prescribed fee for each call he makes; and no preference, whether for inward or outward messages, shall be given to any cab proprietor or driver using that cab rank.

This Regulation shall not apply to any telephone at a cab rank the annual fee for which is paid by a municipal council.

General Postal Regulations.

Late Fees.

The Regulations under this head (Gazette, 5th June, 1902) are amended by inserting the words, “and packets,” after the word “Letters” whereever that word appears.

Telephone Regulations.

Part 1.—Telephone Exchanges.

Regulation 31 under this head (Statutory Rules 1906, No. 114) is amended by inserting after the word “speaking,” in the third paragraph thereof, the following words:—

Subscribers to Telephone Exchanges worked on the Common Battery System can also be supplied with similar control keys, which it is necessary to insert into the receptacle before originating a conversation or answering a call.

 

By Authority: J. Kemp, Government Printer, Melbourne.

Overview

The Statutory Rules of 1908, No. 107, which amends the Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901, was enacted to update and refine the regulatory framework governing postal and telegraph services in Australia. This legislation was issued by the Governor-General in accordance with the Federal Executive Council and aimed to address the need for revised operational guidelines and fee structures within the postal and telegraph sectors. The overarching policy objective of these regulations was to ensure efficient and fair service delivery, alongside the appropriate financial management of the public services involved. These amendments included changes to the fees for private postal boxes, the conditions under which registered postal articles could be delivered, the rates for telegrams sent outside of ordinary business hours and on special days, and the conditions for the installation and use of public telephones at cab ranks. The intent was to modernise and streamline postal and telegraph operations while maintaining the integrity and reliability of these essential services.

Scope and Application

The amended Postal Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901 establish detailed provisions concerning the rental of locked private boxes, which may be rented at General Post Offices and other Post Offices, except where specifically excluded, for an annual fee based on the size of the box. In country towns where deliveries are not made at least twice a day on at least five days per week, a reduced fee applies provided there is sufficient demand. Temporary residents can also rent a private box for a minimum of three months, subject to a deposit for the return of the keys. The regulations also clarify the conditions under which registered postal articles can be delivered, requiring an order from the addressee, witnessed by a third party, and delivered to the Postmaster or appropriate officer. The Telegraphic Regulations specify that extra rates will apply to telegrams sent on Sundays, Christmas Day, Good Friday, and outside ordinary business hours in certain states. Under the amended Telephone Regulations, public telephones will be installed at cab ranks if they generate a minimum annual revenue of £5, with cab proprietors or drivers paying a fee per call, except where municipal councils cover the annual fee. These regulations apply across the Commonwealth, establishing uniform standards and fees for postal, telegraphic, and telephonic services.

Key Provisions

The statutory regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901, detailed in Statutory Rules 1908, No. 107, introduce several provisions concerning postal services, telegraphic communications, and telephone regulations. Regulation 1 (Statutory Rules 1908, No. 39) governs the rental of locked private boxes at the General Post Office and other post offices, with varying fees based on box size. In country towns with specific delivery conditions, the fee for a small box is reduced to 10 shillings per annum, provided multiple residents are willing to rent boxes. Temporary residents can rent boxes for a minimum of three months, with additional deposit requirements. Regulation 4 (Statutory Rules 1907, No. 123) outlines the conditions for delivering registered postal articles, ensuring they are only handed to the addressee in person, an authorized person, or an appropriate representative at business establishments or lodging houses. A written authorization is required for the latter, bearing specific details and a witness signature. The obligations imposed by these regulations primarily concern post office staff and service users. Postmasters and officers must adhere strictly to the conditions for delivering registered articles, ensuring they go only to authorized recipients. For private box rentals, post office staff must verify tenant eligibility and collect appropriate fees, including any additional deposits for temporary residents. In the case of public telephones at cab ranks, operators must ensure the minimum revenue requirement is met to avoid removal of the telephone. If the revenue threshold is not achieved, the telephone will be taken away, and no preferential treatment will be given to any user. Breaches of these regulations may result in civil consequences, particularly regarding the improper handling of registered postal articles. For instance, if a registered article is delivered to an unauthorized person, the post office could face liability for any loss or damage. Regarding telephone usage at cab ranks, failure to meet the minimum revenue requirement may lead to the removal of the telephone, affecting both the cab proprietors and drivers who depend on it. Additionally, there may be financial penalties for not adhering to the specified fees and conditions for private box rentals. While the regulations do not explicitly state maximum penalties for these breaches, they imply that non-compliance could lead to administrative or financial repercussions, depending on the nature and severity of the violation.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.