RATES OF POSTAGE.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume I, 26 March 1842, Page 11

RATES OF POSTAGE.

Previous to our leaving England, regulations " respecting the Postage of Letters to and within the colony of New Zealand,'appeared in the London Gazette. A Postage Bill has passed the Legislative Council giving a different and higher rate of charges, and these are the charges now made on letters by the Postmaster Y>f Nelson. We have seen al?o the rate of charges .given by the Postmaster of Port Nicholson for the direction of Mr. Young, who undertook the management of the Post Office until the arrival of the Postmaster here. We give this scale also, which, as will be seen, is different from both the others. We do not pretend to determine which is properly the legal rate, but we observe that the one which appears to us to be of the highest authority is the most moderate ; and also that the one adopted is the least moderate : — we should like to have this matter explained. Several of our fellow- colonists have called our attention to the subject, and though willing to pay all legal charges on letters, yet there appears to be no occasion to pay more than the legal charges. Misapprehension on these matters is apt to lead to very disagreeable results ; we tiust, therefore, that the Postmaster will oblige us with some explanation on the subject : — Regulations respecting the Postage of Letters to and within the Colony of New Zealand, Gazetted, September 1, 1841. That the postage of all letters transmitted by the post between places within the colony, shall be an uniform rate of 4d. for every half ounce (without reference to the number of sheets of paper or enclosures, or without regard to the distance). From one-half ounce to an ounce, Bd. ; from one ounce to two ounces, 15.4 d.; from two ounces to three ounces, 25. ; from three ounces to four ounces, 2s. Bd. ; for every additional ounce beyond four ounces (and fraction of an ounce), Bd. No letter exceeding sixteen ounces will be forwarded within the colony, except deeds, law proceedings, and law papers, posted subject to such regulations as the Post-master-General or his deputy may appoint; and except letters to and from places beyond the seas, to and from the Governor, or any of the Government offices or -departments. The above rates are exclusive of letters sent beyond the seas, posted or delivered at the port at which they may be' landed or despatched ; but inclusive of letters sent to or from places beyond the seas, posted or delivered at any place within the colony other than the port where they may be landed, or from whence despatched. Letters from the United Kingdom, or colonies where there are no post office agents, or deputy postmasters ; or from foreign countries, without having passed through any post office, or subject to any charge for ship letter — a sea postage of 4d. per half ounce in addition to, and increasing in the same ratio as the inland postages. The same rates are applicable to letters brought into tbe colonies where a pout office has been or shall be established, not having already passed through any post office, or been subject to charge for ship letter postage. Letters between any places (other than British colonies) in the West Indies and North or South America, between any port in the United Kingdom and any port or place on the northern or eastern coast of .the Isthmus of Panama, in South America — a packet rate of Is. increasing as before. Between the southern and western coast of South America, in addition to all other rrtestto which they may be liable, a packet rate of Is. increasing as before. Every newspaper (British, colonial, or foreign) conveyed between any places within New Zealand, whether posted and delivered within, or brought into or sent out of . the colony to any other British colony, the United Kingdom, or any foreign country (except such as are posted or delivered at the port at which they may be

landed or despatched from), an uniform rate of Id. If conveyed between any colonies where posts are or may be established .(except colonies having Houses of Assembly or Colonial Legislatures), the above uniform rate' of Id. For every foreign newspaper conveyed between any British colonies or any foreign country, without passing through the United Kingdom, (in addition to any colonial postage to which they may be liable), a 6ea postage of 2d. For every newspaper conveyed intermediately between any places (other than the British colonies) in the West Indies and North or South America, between any foreign ports in South America, or between the Island of Madeira or the Canary Islands, and between the island of Madeira or the Canary Islands and any port in South America — a packet rate of 2d. No newspapers conveyed at the above rates of postage unless sent without a cover, or in a cover open at the, sides, without any mark or writing, or enclosure, except the name and address of the person to whom sent. The above regulations to come into operation on the 11th of October, 1841. Rates chargeable on Letters, according to the Postage Bill of the Legislative Council. For every letter (other than such as are hereinafter excepted) -which shall be transmitted from any post office for delivery within the colony, or to any place beyond the seas, there shall be paid a postage according to the following rate, that is to say : — for every letter not exceeding the weight of half an ounce, 6d ; for every letter exceeding the weight of half an ounce, but not exceeding the weight of one ounce,- Is. ; for every letter exceeding the weight of one ounce, but not exceeding one ounce and a half, is. 6d. ; and so on after the rate of 6d. for every additional half ounce, or any additional fractional part thereof. For every letter, other than letters brought to this colony from parts beyond the seas, such postage Bhall be paid at the time of putting such letters into the post office. For every letter brought to^this colony from parts beyond the seas, there shall be paid on the delivery thereof the sum of threepence, together with such postage as aforesaid, in case such letter shall have been transmitted by post within the colony. It shall be lawful for his Excellency the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council, from time to time to increase or diminish the aforesaid rate. All newspapers shall be conveyed and delivered free of postage: provided only, that if there shall be upon any newspaper, or any corner of any newspaper, any writing other than the direction thereof, such newspaper shall be deemed a letter, and charged accordingly. The Rates as given to Mr. Young by the Postmaster of .Port Nicholson. Rates of inland postage : — .Letters under half an ounce, 4d. ; half an ounce, and under threequarters of an ounce, Bd. ; three-quarters of an ounce, and under one ounce, Is. ; one ounce, and under one ounce and a quarter, Is. 4d. The inland postage may be pre-paid or not. Rates of sea postage : — Letters under half an ounce, 3d. : half an ounce, and under threequarters of an ounce, 6d. ; three-quarters of an ounce, and under one ounce, 9d. ; one ounce, and under one ounce and a quarter, is. Sea postage must be pre-paid. All letters for ports beyond the colony of New Zealand are liable to the above rates of sea postage.