Postal, Telegraphic and Telephone Regulations (Amendment) (Provisional)

Legislation au C1910L00092 Regulations Not in force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

STATUTORY RULES.

1910. No. 92.

 

PROVISIONAL REGULATIONS UNDER THE POST AND TELEGRAPH ACT 1901.

I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby certify that, on account of urgency, the undermentioned amended Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901, namely:—

Payment of Postage by the Receiver.

Official Correspondence—Commonwealth of Australia.

Telephone Regulations.

Part XIX.—Miscellaneous—Temporary Telephonic Communication,

should come into immediate operation, and make the amended Regulations to come into operation forthwith as Provisional Regulations.

Dated this 24th day of September, One thousand nine hundred and ten.

DUDLEY,

Governor-General.

By His Excellency’s Command,

JOSIAH THOMAS.

 

Payment of Postage by the Receiver.

Official Correspondence—Commonwealth of Australia.

The Regulation under this head (Gazette No. 7, of 13th February, 1903, page 90) is amended by adding at the end thereof the following paragraph:—

Postal articles enclosed in envelopes bearing the following indications, namely:—

“Commonwealth Census of 1911.”

“O.H.M.S.”

“Postage to be paid on delivery under provisions of Section 97 (q) of the Post and Telegraph Act 1901,”

and addressed to—

The State Supervisor of Census in any State, or The Enumerator in any Census District,

may, if posted within the Commonwealth of Australia, be sent by post without prepayment of postage, but the postage thereon at prepaid rates shall be paid by the person to whom they are addressed, upon their delivery to him.

C. 14579.—Price 3d.


139. The master or owner of any vessel in any port in Australia shall—

(1) thoroughly empty, or flush out and empty the bilges prior to berthing the vessel;

(2) keep all foodstuffs and food refuse in rat-proof and mouse-proof receptacles;

(3) prevent the discharge of any organic refuse, galley scraps and waste from the vessel on to the wharfs or into the waters of the port;

(4) maintain on board and use effective means for the destruction of rats and mice; and

(5) when so ordered by a quarantine officer lay on the vessel poison baits effective for rats and mice.

140. The master or owner of any vessel in any port in Australia, shall, if so ordered by a quarantine officer—

(1) submit any part or the whole of the vessel to sulphur fumigation as prescribed or to some other approved method of fumigation. If so directed by the quarantine officer, the fumigation shall be carried out while the vessel is alongside a wharf or while the vessel is in stream, and either before or after the cargo has been discharged;

(2) wash or spray thoroughly with the prescribed insecticidal solution all portions of the vessel likely to harbor or to afford a shelter for fleas, lice, bugs, and other vermin;

(3) empty and flush or disinfect and clean all lavatories, water tanks, or any closed space on board the vessel :

Provided that in any case where there is reasonable cause to apprehend that the vessel may be endangered by the removal of water ballast, the quarantine officer may cause any tank or other receptacle to be sealed; and thenceforward, so long as the vessel remains within the port, the master shall prevent the breaking or removal of the seal or the discharge or removal from the tank or receptacle of any part of the water ballast except with the written permission of the quarantine officer;

(4) cause to be disinfected or fumigated any articles specified by the quarantine officer.

140 (a). The master or owner of any vessel on arrival at any port in Australia from a place proclaimed infected with plague or as a place from or through which plague may be carried shall—

(1) submit the vessel to fumigation and treatment as prescribed for the destruction of rats, mice, and other vermin;

Provided that the vessel may be exempted from fumigation if the master produce—

(a) a certificate showing that at the port of departure the vessel, while empty or after loading for the current voyage, was fumigated as prescribed; and

(b) a certificate or certificates showing that at the port of departure (if a proclaimed place) and at every proclaimed place subsequently called at, effective measures were taken to prevent the migration of rats to the vessel. The measures adopted shall be specified in the certificate.


The certificate or certificates in each case shall be signed by the Port Health Officer or local quarantine officer if the proclaimed place is within the British Dominions, or be indorsed by the British Consul if the proclaimed place is a foreign port or country:

Provided further that in the, absence of such certificates the vessel may, if no plague infected rats or mice have been found on board, be exempted from fumigation at any port of call in Australia excepting the terminal port;

(2) if so ordered by a quarantine officer discharge the cargo into lighters in stream.

140 (b). The following processes are prescribed: —

(1) For the destruction of rats and mice in closed spaces in vessels—thorough sulphur fumigation for at least eight hours with a gaseous mixture containing not less than three parts per centum of sulphur oxides. The fumigation shall wherever practicable be effected by passing sulphur fumes under pressure into the closed space, the contained air being at the same time partially exhausted;

(2) For the destruction of insects and other vermin in vessels—thorough application of an aqueous solution or emulsion of soft soap, cyllin and kerosene, containing of each one part per centum. The application must be made by means of a mop or scrubbing brush or similar appliance, or by forcibly spraying the mixture into all places infested with or suspected of being infested with fleas, lice, bugs or similar insects or vermin.

140 (c). For the purpose of these Regulations, “wharf” shall include any pier, stage, landing place, jetty, or similar structure at which a vessel may lie.

 

The following Regulation is inserted after Regulation No. 142:—

The working days and hours, and overtime rates for certain quarantine officers.

143. The working days and hours and rates of payment for overtime of quarantine officers engaged in disinfection and fumigation work and supervision shall be as follow:—

Days:—All days except Sundays and Public Holidays.

By special permission of the Minister, work may be allowed on any Sunday, or by special permission of the Chief Quarantine Officer may be allowed on any Public Holiday for such time and under such conditions as are approved.

Hours:—Any eight hours, or any periods aggregating eight hours daily (between sunrise and sunset) provided that the working hours shall not be less than 44 clear working hours per week.

On Saturdays work shall cease at noon.

The Chief Quarantine Officer may permit any quarantine officer to work before and after working hours on any working day.


When work is permitted before or after the working hours, or on any Sunday or holiday, the rate to be charged for the services of each officer employed shall be 1s. 6d. per hour or part thereof.

The overtime charges shall be calculated from the hour at which the officer is required to attend, and shall include charges at the same rate in respect of the time reasonably occupied in proceeding to and returning from the wharf or other place where the attendance is required.

Where any officer is required to attend between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., the rate prescribed shall be increased by one-half; provided that the total charge for any officer employed between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. shall not exceed 15s.

The money received for overtime shall be held by the Department, and may be paid to the officers who have earned the same at the rate mentioned above.

 

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

Overview

The Provisional Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901, enacted in 1910, were introduced to address immediate needs in postal services and maritime sanitation, particularly in the context of preventing the spread of diseases such as plague. These regulations, issued by the Governor-General with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, aimed to ensure efficient postal operations and stringent sanitary measures for vessels entering Australian ports. The policy objective was to facilitate the smooth operation of postal services while simultaneously enforcing quarantine measures to safeguard public health. This legislative instrument established specific protocols for the handling of postal articles related to the Commonwealth Census of 1911 and O.H.M.S., allowing them to be sent without prepayment of postage, provided that the postage was paid upon delivery. Additionally, the regulations mandated strict sanitary practices for vessels, including the prevention of the discharge of organic refuse and the use of effective means to destroy vermin, thereby minimising the risk of disease transmission.

Scope and Application

The Provisional Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901 cover a variety of aspects including payment of postage for specific postal articles, management of sanitary conditions on vessels in Australian ports, and protocols for dealing with vessels arriving from areas infected with plague. The provisions regarding postage allow certain census-related mail to be sent without prepayment, with the recipient paying postage upon delivery. The regulations pertaining to vessels in Australian ports mandate the master or owner to ensure the vessel is free from rodents and organic refuse, maintain hygiene standards, and comply with fumigation and disinfection procedures as directed by a quarantine officer. Additionally, vessels arriving from plague-infected areas are subject to specific fumigation and treatment requirements. The regulations also detail the working conditions and overtime rates for quarantine officers involved in disinfection and fumigation activities. The scope of these regulations applies to individuals and entities operating within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia, specifically targeting the maritime industry and postal services. The geographic reach of these regulations extends to all ports within Australia and apply to all vessels entering these ports.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of these Provisional Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901 outline specific provisions related to postal services, shipping, and quarantine measures. Firstly, Section 139 mandates that the master or owner of any vessel in any Australian port must thoroughly empty and flush out bilges, keep foodstuffs in rat-proof receptacles, prevent organic refuse discharge, maintain means for pest destruction, and use poison baits upon a quarantine officer's order (s.139). Secondly, Section 140 requires the master or owner to submit the vessel to fumigation, wash or spray with an insecticidal solution, empty and disinfect lavatories and closed spaces, and disinfect specified articles as directed by a quarantine officer (s.140). Additionally, vessels arriving from plague-infected areas must undergo specific fumigation and treatment unless exempted by certificates proving prior fumigation and rat prevention measures (s.140(a)). The processes prescribed include sulphur fumigation for vermin destruction and an aqueous solution application for insect and vermin control (s.140(b)). Lastly, a new regulation specifies the working days, hours, and overtime rates for quarantine officers involved in disinfection and fumigation work (s.143). The obligations imposed on the parties governed by these regulations include stringent sanitary and pest control measures for vessels docking at Australian ports. Masters or owners of vessels must ensure that bilges are thoroughly emptied and flushed, foodstuffs are stored in rat-proof containers, and organic refuse is not discharged into port waters. They must also have effective means for pest control on board and comply with quarantine officer orders for fumigation, washing, disinfecting, and cargo discharge. Furthermore, vessels arriving from plague-infected areas must present certificates proving prior fumigation and rat prevention measures, or undergo mandatory fumigation and treatment. Additionally, quarantine officers must adhere to specified working hours and rates for overtime, with special conditions for night and holiday work. The regulations outline specific offences and penalties for breaches. While the text does not explicitly state maximum penalties for non-compliance, breaches of these provisions likely incur civil or criminal consequences under the overarching Post and Telegraph Act 1901 or related maritime and health legislation. For instance, failure to comply with pest control and sanitary measures could result in fines, vessel detention, or other enforcement actions. Non-compliance with quarantine officer orders may lead to legal repercussions, including potential prosecution for breaches of health and safety regulations.

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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.