TELEGRAPHIC MESSAGES RELATING TO SICKNESS OR DEATH.

Kumara Times, Issue 2016, 14 February 1883, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC MESSAGES RELATING TO SICKNESS OR DEATH.

By an Order in Council, dated Wellington, 18th January, 1883, telegraphic messages relating to sickness or death can be ■ transmitted from any to any telegraph office after ordinary official hours on payment of double the ordinary tariff rates, provided that the attention of the terminal office can be obtained.

In addition to the payment of double tariff rates the following scale of fees have also to be paid : 1. For calling upon a Postmaster or Operator in charge to transmit a message after his ordinary hours of duty, and when the office is closed, a special fee of 2s 6d., which amount must be paid even if the telegram fails to reach its destination, but in the latter case the tariff rates collected will be refunded.

2. In addition to the charges for transmission, and fee to the Postmaster or Operator, a farther charge of 2s must be paid for delivering a message any distance within a radius of a mile from the office. All charges for ferries, tolls, or increased extra cost incurred by the department beyond the ordinary limits of delivery must also be borne by the sender, and paid for at time of presenting the message. The sender of a message will, however, be held liable for any short collections should it be subsequently found that the amount collected for carriage in the first instance has not been sufficient.