STATUTORY RULES.
1915. No. 180.
PROVISIONAL REGULATION UNDER THE POST AND TELEGRAPH ACT 1901-1913.
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 1901-1913, should come into immediate operation, and make the amended Regulation to come into operation forthwith as a provisional Regulation.
Dated this twenty-seventh day of September, One thousand nine hundred and fifteen.
R. M. FERGUSON,
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
W. G. SPENCE,
Postmaster-General.
Amendment of the Telephone Regulations 1913 (Statutory Rules 1913, No. 349, as Amended by Statutory Rules, 1915, No 42).
Sub-regulation (1) of Regulation 21 is repealed, and the following Sub-regulation is inserted in its stead:—
21. (1) (a) Should a subscriber’s telephone be removed at the subscriber’s request to another address or position within the same network he shall pay the cost of the removal. In cases where the rental is not increased such cost shall be the actual cost of labour, plus the value of the material used in wiring the premises (reckoned from the first pole outside the subscriber’s premises), less the value of the material recoverable from the former premises. In cases where the rental is increased consequent upon the removal, such cost shall be the actual cost of labour required on wiring the premises, and the cost of refitting the telephone apparatus.
(b) Should a subscriber require a removal or alteration of his telephone within the same premises the charges for such removal or alteration shall be in accordance with the following scale: Provided that the Deputy Postmaster-General may reduce the charge to be made for any removal or alteration in any case as to which he is satisfied that the circumstances warrant the reduction:—
1. Change of apparatus (but not its location) with increase in rental, nil.
2. Change of apparatus (but not its location), without increase in rental, 7s, 6d.
C.13085—Price 3d.
3. Removal of telephone instrument, bell, or extension bell to another position—
(i) within the same room, 9s.;
(ii) to another room involving not more than 50 yards of internal wiring, 15s.;
(iii) to another room involving more than 50 yards of internal wiring, 25s.;
4. Reversal of position of main and extension sets when—
(i) they are in the same room, 16s.;
(ii) they are in different rooms, and the change involves not more than 50 yards of internal wiring, 25s.;
(iii) the change involves more than 50 yards of internal wiring, 30s.;
5. Alteration of an Exchange number at the subscriber’s request, 4s. Provided that where, owing to an increase in the subscriber’s installation, it is desirable in the interests of both the subscriber and the Department that consecutive numbers should be given, no charge shall be made.
(c) Where the cost of travelling incurred in connexion with the execution of the removal or alteration amounts to more than 25 per cent. of the appropriate charge as set out in this Sub-regulation, the subscriber shall, in addition to such charge, pay the amount by which the cost of travelling exceeds 25 per cent. of the charge
Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.
Overview
The Provisional Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1913, enacted in 1915, addresses the need to establish a regulatory framework for telephone services, specifically outlining the costs associated with the relocation and alteration of telephone installations within the same network. This legislative instrument was issued by the Governor-General, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, to ensure that the regulation could come into immediate effect due to its urgency. The policy objective of the regulation is to provide clear guidelines and charges for subscribers who request changes to their telephone services, ensuring that the costs incurred by the Postmaster-General's Department are accurately reflected in the fees charged to the subscribers.
Scope and Application
The Provisional Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1913 applies to subscribers of telephone services within the network governed by the Department of Post and Telegraph. This Act sets out the conditions under which subscribers must pay for the costs associated with the removal or alteration of their telephone services, including the specific charges based on the nature and scope of the requested changes. The regulation applies to subscribers who request a change of location or alteration of their telephone services within the same network. The charges outlined in the regulation are based on the labour cost and materials used, with additional costs incurred if the change involves a significant increase in wiring distance. The Deputy Postmaster-General has the discretion to reduce these charges if the circumstances warrant it. The regulation’s scope is limited to the Commonwealth of Australia, and it does not specify any exclusions or exemptions. The regulation may be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, but the current text does not provide specific details on such instruments.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of this amended Regulation pertain to the charges subscribers incur when they request alterations or removals of their telephone equipment within the same network. Specifically, section 21(1)(a) details the cost a subscriber must bear when moving their telephone to another address or position within the same network. The costs include the actual cost of labour and materials, minus any recoverable material from the former premises. If the relocation results in an increased rental, the subscriber must also pay for the refitting of the telephone apparatus. Section 21(1)(b) outlines the charges for alterations or removals within the same premises, with a scale provided for different types of alterations and removals. It also notes that the Deputy Postmaster-General may reduce these charges if the circumstances warrant it.
These provisions impose certain obligations on subscribers who wish to move or alter their telephone equipment. Subscribers must pay the specified costs for the removal or alteration, which are calculated based on the type of work required. The Deputy Postmaster-General has discretion to reduce these charges if deemed appropriate. Additionally, if the cost of travelling for the execution of the removal or alteration exceeds 25% of the appropriate charge, the subscriber is liable for the additional amount.
The Regulation does not explicitly detail offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for non-compliance. However, it is implied that failure to pay the prescribed charges when alterations or removals are made could lead to disputes or potential enforcement actions by the Department. While the Regulation does not specify maximum penalties, such actions would likely be pursued under the general provisions of the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1913 or any subsequent legislation.