Postal, Telegraphic and Telephone Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules No. 81 of 1906, issued under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901 and the Post and Telegraph Rates Act 1902, represent an amendment to the existing regulations governing telegraphic services, post office express delivery, and telephone lines within the Commonwealth of Australia. Enacted by the Governor-General, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, these regulations aim to address specific operational aspects of postal and communication services, ensuring they align with contemporary needs and statutory requirements. The primary objective of these regulations is to streamline and clarify the procedures and conditions under which telegraphic communications, particularly those concerning electoral matters, are handled and delivered, alongside ensuring the express delivery of mail is conducted within appropriate timeframes and the management of telephone lines for military purposes is clearly defined.

Scope and Application

The amended Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901 and the Post and Telegraph Rates Act 1902 apply to various aspects of communication services within the Commonwealth of Australia, including the transmission of telegrams, the delivery of express mail, and the use of telephone lines for military purposes. These Regulations are designed to govern the operational standards and financial obligations associated with these services. Specifically, the Regulations address the transmission of electoral telegrams concerning Commonwealth Parliamentary Elections, ensuring that such telegrams are sent within specified rates and conditions, provided they are lodged on or before the day following the election. The Post Office Express Delivery Service is also covered, with the express delivery of letters and packets limited to hours when the office is open for public business and messengers are on duty. Additionally, the Regulations pertain to telephone lines required solely for military purposes, stipulating that when such lines are erected partly on poles belonging to the Postmaster-General, the applicable charges are set at 25 shillings per annum per mile. These Regulations extend across the Commonwealth, impacting all entities involved in the transmission of telegrams, the delivery of express mail, and the installation of military telephone lines.

Key Provisions

The Statutory Rules No. 81, 1906, under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901 and the Post and Telegraph Rates Act 1902, introduce specific regulations for telegraphic communications, postal express delivery services, and telephone lines. Firstly, the Telegraphic Regulations (regulation 1) clarify that telegrams concerning Commonwealth parliamentary elections, containing only electoral division names, candidate names, and vote counts, can be transmitted on the election day or before noon the next day, subject to the same rates and conditions as Commonwealth Press telegrams. Secondly, the Post Office Express Delivery Service (regulation 2) specifies that express delivery of letters and packets will be handled by messengers only during office hours when the telegraph office is open for business. Lastly, the Telephone Regulations (regulation 3) determine that for telephone lines required solely for military purposes and not connected to the public system, if these lines are partially erected on poles owned by the Postmaster-General, the charges for this portion will be 25 shillings per annum per mile, based on the total length of the circuits. These regulations impose specific obligations on parties involved in telegraphic communications and postal services. For instance, under the Telegraphic Regulations, any telegrams concerning parliamentary elections must be lodged for transmission on or before noon the day after the election, adhering to the prescribed rates and conditions. In the context of postal express delivery, the requirement for messengers to deliver letters and packets only during office hours ensures that such services are rendered when the office is open for public telegraph business. Furthermore, the Telephone Regulations necessitate that charges for military telephone lines partially erected on Postmaster-General's poles be calculated based on the aggregate length of the circuits. The Statutory Rules establish potential consequences for breaches of the specified regulations. Although the document does not detail specific offences or penalties, non-compliance with these regulations could lead to administrative or financial repercussions, given the structured nature of the services provided under these acts. The regulations aim to maintain orderly and efficient operations within the postal and telegraphic services, ensuring that all communications and deliveries adhere to the stipulated conditions and timelines.