POSTAL INFORMATION.
ALTHOUGH the publication of this Almanac has been delayed up
to the present date (Dec 22nd) we have not yet been able to procure any
satisfactory information as to the mail arrangements for 1859, although an
earnest appeal has been made to the Postmaster-General himself. We can,
therefore only summarise the regulations, and give the probable alterations in
the service as far as we have been able correctly to obtain them
REGULATIONS.
All letters ought to be prepaid by stamps. The postage on
letters for the colony of N.S Wales is 2d on letters under ½ oz,
4d between ½
oz and 1 oz, and 4d more for every ½ oz, or fraction of an oz. Letters for
the other Australasian colonies are charged for every ½ oz, or fraction of ½ oz.
Letters for Great Britain are charged as follows - 6d under
the ½
oz, 1s between the ½ oz and 1 oz, and is additional for every oz or fraction
of 1 oz. Letters sent via Marseilles are charged extra at the rate of 3d for
every ½
oz. Via Trieste letters not exceeding ½ oz 1s, exceeding ½ oz
and not above 1 oz 2s, exceeding 1 oz and not above 2 oz 4s, and 2s additional
for every extra oz or fraction of ditto. Newspapers 2d each.
Registered letters must have on them a distinctive
registration stamp, which may only be used for this purpose. The stamp costs
6d. Local newspapers may be sent free to any part of N S. Wales, Tasmania, New
Zealand, or South Australia, if posted within 7 days of publication, but a 1d
stamp must be affixed for transmission to Victoria, which rate is also charged
on newspapers intended for Great Britain.
Book packets must not exceed two feet in length, or weigh
more than 3 lbs and must be sent open at the ends or sides. The denomination of
"book packets" includes books, publications, printed forms, M.S.
intended for publication, maps, almanacs, prints, and works of literature and
art. The postage must be prepaid, and the rates are as follow - British book
packets - under ½ lb, 8d; between ½ Ib and 1 lb, 1s 4d, and 8d for every
additional ½
lb or portion of ½ lb. Intercolonial ditto:- under ½lb, 6d, between ½
lb and 1 lb, 1s, and 6d for every additional ½ lb or portion of ½ lb.
Inland ditto:- not exceeding 4 oz, 2d, and 1d extra for every additional 2 oz
or fraction of 2 oz - Bankers' parcels, or parcels containing notes, orders,
specie, patterns and samples of merchandise, deeds, conveyances, affidavits, or
letters of attorney,- are now charged at ordinary letter rates.
POST OFFICES, & C.
The following is a list of the offices established, or to be established, in the northern districts, and which are officially connected with the Brisbane post-office
Rockhampton Brisbane and Ipswich are the only towns in the northern districts in which letters are delivered by carrier. During the past year, an arrangement came into effect by which the Moreton Bay mails are made up in London and sent out direct, so as to avoid detention in Sydney.
ALTERATIONS.
THE ALTERATIONS yet known are as follow-Lines from North
Brisbane to Burnett Inn, from Drayton to Gayndah, and from Burnett Inn to
Taroom, will be discontinued. Lines from Ipswich to Burnett Inn, and from
Condamine to Taroom, to be resumed. New routes are to be established from Dalby
to Gayndah (via Burnett Inn), and from Gayndah to Taroom. It was proposed to
have a line from Gladstone to Rockhampton, but we do not apprehend the idea
will be carried out. The Brisbane and Casino contract was not taken up to this
date.
[WHEN the new arrangements are promulgated, a gratuitous
SUPPLEMENT will be issued to all purchasers of Pugh's Almanacs got up in a
style to suit desks and offices]
