Postal, Telegraphic and Telephone Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901, specifically Statutory Rules 1905 No. 37, were enacted to formalise the provision of burglar alarm services through the postal infrastructure. This legislative instrument was introduced to address the need for a structured approach to providing such services, ensuring that they were accessible and properly managed. The Regulations were enacted by the Governor-General in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, to implement a system for the installation, maintenance, and operation of burglar alarm systems across designated locations. The objective of these Regulations is to establish a clear framework for the application, implementation, and financial arrangements for burglar alarm services, while also specifying the limitations of the Postmaster-General's liability regarding the efficiency and defects of the provided service.

Scope and Application

The Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901, specifically addressing burglar alarms, establish the procedures and conditions under which individuals and entities may apply for burglar alarm connections between designated points. The application process requires written submissions to the Deputy Postmaster-General, detailing the nature of the service requested and the points to be connected. The Postmaster-General is responsible for the erection, supply, and maintenance of all lines and apparatus associated with the burglar alarms, which remain the property of the Postmaster-General. The regulations specify the rates for the service, which are based on the length of the line and the type of apparatus selected by the subscriber, with options available for different types of equipment. The service must be rented for a minimum term of three years, and if one of the connection points is a police station, the written consent of the local police authorities is mandatory. Notably, the Postmaster-General does not guarantee the efficiency of the supplied service, and neither the Postmaster-General nor the Commonwealth accepts liability for any defects or inefficiencies in the service provided.

Key Provisions

The regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901, as stated in Statutory Rule No. 37, pertain specifically to the installation and operation of burglar alarm systems. These regulations, which came into effect on the first day of July, 1905, outline the processes and requirements for the establishment of burglar alarm connections (Regulation 1). The regulations specify that any application for such connections must be made in writing to the Deputy Postmaster-General, detailing the nature of the service required and the points between which the connection is desired. The Postmaster-General is responsible for erecting, supplying, and maintaining all lines and apparatus associated with the burglar alarms, and these will be the property of the Postmaster-General (Regulation 2). The rates for the service are prescribed, with charges varying based on the length of the line and the type of apparatus used, whether at the place to be protected or the protecting point (Regulation 3). The subscriber has the option to select the type of apparatus to be used. Additionally, these lines and apparatus must be rented for a minimum term of three years (Regulation 4), and if one of the connection points is a police station, written consent from the local police authorities is required and must be submitted to the Deputy Postmaster-General by the applicant (Regulation 5). The regulations also clarify that the Postmaster-General does not guarantee the efficiency of the service and that neither the Postmaster-General nor the Commonwealth will be liable for any defects or inefficiencies in the line, apparatus, or service (Regulation 6). The obligations imposed by these regulations are primarily administrative and financial. Applicants for burglar alarm connections must submit a written application to the Deputy Postmaster-General, clearly stating the specifics of the required service. They must also obtain written consent from local police authorities if one of the connection points is a police station. The Postmaster-General, on the other hand, is obligated to erect, supply, and maintain the necessary lines and apparatus, ensuring they are available for the term of the rental agreement. Subscribers are required to pay the specified rates for the service, which are based on the length of the line and the type of apparatus used. They must also adhere to the minimum three-year rental term. Violations of these regulations do not explicitly outline specific offences or penalties within the text provided. However, it is clear that the Postmaster-General does not guarantee the efficiency of the service supplied, and neither the Postmaster-General nor the Commonwealth will be held liable for any defects or inefficiencies in the service. This lack of liability suggests that while there may be no direct criminal or civil penalties specified, subscribers may not have recourse for service failures within the framework of these regulations. The main consequence for subscribers appears to be the potential lack of service efficiency, without explicit recourse or penalty for the Postmaster-General's failure to meet service standards.