STATUTORY RULES.
1908. No. 39.
PROVISIONAL REGULATION 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 Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901, namely:—
Postal Regulations.
Private Boxes.
should come into immediate operation, and make the amended Regulation to come into operation forthwith as a Provisional Regulation.
Dated this twelfth day of March, One thousand nine hundred and eight.
NORTHCOTE,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency's Command,
SAMUEL MAUGER.
Postal Regulations.
Private Boxes.
Regulation 1 under this head (Statutory Rules, 1907, No. 103) is repealed and the following substituted in lieu thereof:—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. |
(2) In the case of country towns 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 10s. per annum payable in advance.
(3) Private boxes will not be provided at a Post Office unless at least ten persons are severally prepared to rent private boxes at that Post Office for at least one year.
By Authority: J. Kemp, Government Printer, Melbourne.
C. 3543.—Price 3d.
Overview
The Provisional Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901, enacted in 1908, was introduced to address the need for updated and urgent regulations concerning the rental of private boxes at post offices across Australia. The regulation was issued by the Governor-General in Council, reflecting the urgency and importance of establishing clear guidelines for the management of these facilities. The primary policy objective of this regulation was to ensure that the provision of private boxes was both efficient and economically viable, by setting specific rental fees and conditions for their availability based on the frequency of postal deliveries in different locations. This legislation aimed to streamline the operation of postal services and provide a consistent framework for the rental of private boxes, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency of the postal system.
Scope and Application
The Postal Regulations.Private Boxes, as certified under the Provisional Regulation by the Governor-General, pertains specifically to the rental and provision of locked private boxes at General and other Post Offices across the Commonwealth of Australia. The regulation applies to individuals and entities seeking to rent private boxes for the storage of mail, with the stipulation that such boxes can only be provided at Post Offices where at least ten individuals are prepared to rent them for a minimum of one year. The fees for these private boxes vary according to their size and the frequency of postal service in the respective area, ranging from £3 per annum for a large box to 10s. per annum for a small box in areas with less frequent postal service. This regulation, which supersedes previous regulations, establishes the financial and logistical parameters under which private boxes can be made available, ensuring a structured and equitable system for their provision. The regulation’s reach is nationwide, encompassing all Post Offices within the Commonwealth, subject to the specified conditions.
Key Provisions
The primary operative sections of this legislation (Postal Regulations. Private Boxes) revolve around the rental of locked private boxes at the General Post Office and other Post Offices, except where specified (Reg. 1(1)). The fees for these boxes vary depending on their size, with large boxes costing £3 per annum, medium-sized boxes £2 per annum, and small boxes £1 per annum (Reg. 1(1)). In certain country towns where deliveries by Letter Carriers are not made at least twice a day on at least five days a week (other than holidays), the fee for a small private box is reduced to 10s. per annum, payable in advance (Reg. 1(2)). Additionally, private boxes will only be provided at a Post Office if at least ten persons are willing to rent them for at least one year (Reg. 1(3)).
The obligations and requirements imposed by this Act pertain primarily to the Post Offices and the individuals renting the private boxes. Post Offices must adhere to the fee structures outlined in the Regulation for renting private boxes (Reg. 1(1) and (2)), and must ensure that a minimum of ten individuals are prepared to rent private boxes for at least one year before providing such services (Reg. 1(3)). Individuals renting private boxes must pay the specified fees in advance, either £3 per annum for a large box, £2 per annum for a medium-sized box, £1 per annum for a small box, or 10s. per annum for a small box in country towns with less frequent postal deliveries (Reg. 1(1) and (2)).
There are no explicit offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences mentioned in the text of this legislation for breach of the outlined provisions. However, failure to comply with the fee structures or the requirement of at least ten individuals renting private boxes could result in the Post Office not providing private box services, thereby impacting the convenience and accessibility of postal services for the intended renters.