STATUTORY RULES.
1908. No. 63.
REGULATIONS UNDER THE POST AND TELEGRAPH ACT 1901.
(Issued provisionally as Statutory Rules 1908, No. 29.)
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:—
Telephone Regulations.
Part 1.—Telephone Exchanges;
Regulation 7;
Regulation 29;
Part VI.—Telephone Junction and Trunk Lines;
Press Rates, Regulation 55;
to come into operation on the 20th day of June, 1908.
Dated this twenty-third day of May, One thousand nine hundred and eight.
NORTHCOTE,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
SAMUEL MAUGER.
Telephone Regulations.
Part 1.—Telephone Exchanges.
(1). Regulation 7 under this head (Statutory Rules 1906, No. 114) is amended by adding thereto, at the end thereof, the following paragraph, viz.:—
A statement of account, certified by a responsible officer of the Department as being correct, shall be accepted as primâ facie evidence of the number of effective calls originated by the subscriber.
(2). Regulation 29 under this head (Statutory Rules 1906, No. 114) is repealed.
Part VI.—Telephone Junction and Trunk lines.
Press Rates.
(3). Regulation 55 under this head (Statutory Rules 1907, No. 74) is repealed, and the following substituted therefor:—
55. Where telephone trunk lines connect two towns, at both of which telephone attendants are employed during the night, the charge for
conversations in the nature of press telegrams, as defined in the Telegraph Regulations under the head “Press Telegrams,” between the hours of 6 p.m. and 8 a.m., shall be as follows:—
Distance. | Rates for Five Minutes’ Conversation. |
| s. | d. |
Not exceeding 25 miles........................... | 0 | 4 |
Not exceeding 50 miles........................... | 0 | 6 |
Not exceeding 100 miles.......................... | 0 | 9 |
Not exceeding 150 miles.......................... | 1 | 1 |
Not exceeding 200 miles.......................... | 1 | 5 |
Not exceeding 250 miles.......................... | 1 | 9 |
Not exceeding 300 miles.......................... | 2 | 1 |
|
Ordinary business shall take precedence of that sent at press rates.
By Authority: J. Kemp, Government Printer, Melbourne.
Overview
The Statutory Rules 1908, No. 63, issued under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901, were enacted by the Governor-General in Council to amend certain regulations related to telephone services. These regulations address the need for updated procedures regarding the certification of telephone call statements and the adjustment of rates for press telegrams transmitted via telephone trunk lines during specific hours. The objective was to streamline the evidence requirements for telephone call accounting and to adjust the pricing structure for press-related communications, thereby ensuring that the regulation of telecommunications services aligns with the evolving needs of the time. The regulations came into effect on 20 June 1908, providing a formal mechanism for updating the administrative and commercial practices within the postal and telegraph services.
Scope and Application
The Statutory Rules 1908, No. 63, which amend the Telephone Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901, apply to the operations and rates associated with telephone exchanges and trunk lines within the Commonwealth of Australia. Specifically, these regulations govern the certification of telephone call accounts and the pricing structure for press telegrams between towns where telephone attendants are employed during the night. The new regulations, which came into effect on 20 June 1908, adjust the evidentiary status of certified account statements, enhancing the reliability of call records, and replace previous rates for press telegrams with a new tiered pricing system based on distance. These amendments extend to all telephone exchanges and trunk lines that connect towns with night-time telephone attendants, thereby affecting the telecommunications industry and its customers directly.
Key Provisions
The statutory rules 1908, No. 63, under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901, introduce amendments to the Telephone Regulations, specifically concerning telephone exchanges and the rates for press telegrams on telephone trunk lines. Regulation 7 now mandates that a statement of account certified by a responsible officer of the Department be accepted as prima facie evidence of the number of effective calls originated by the subscriber. This means that if a certified account is presented, it is presumed correct unless proven otherwise. Regulation 29 has been repealed, indicating that certain provisions previously in place are no longer applicable.
The obligations imposed by these regulations require the Department to ensure that certified statements of account accurately reflect subscriber call data, and that the new press rates for telephone trunk lines are adhered to. The replacement of Regulation 55 implies that the rates for press telegrams have been updated, with specific rates defined for conversations between the hours of 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. These rates vary according to the distance between the two towns connected by the trunk line. It is also stipulated that ordinary business shall take precedence over press telegrams, ensuring that essential communications are prioritised.
Breaches of these regulations may lead to civil or criminal consequences, although the specific penalties are not detailed within the text. Given the historical context of the regulations, it is plausible that penalties could include fines or other administrative actions as determined by the relevant authorities under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901. The introduction of these regulations aims to streamline and clarify the processes and costs associated with telephone services and press telegrams, ensuring that both subscribers and the Department operate within a defined framework.