Post Office Ordinance

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1. Short title.
2. Interpretation.
3. Establishment of Post Office.
4. Appointment of officers.
5. Regulations.
6. Fees.
7. No letters to be conveyed except by post.
8. Exemption from liability for loss, misdelivery, delay or damage.
9. Postage stamps.
10. Prohibition of sending by post explosives, noxious or deleterious substance, indecent printing, etc.
11. Postmaster may detain prohibited packets.
12. Registration of postal packets.
13. Compulsory registration of certain postal packets.
14. Postal orders and postal order regulations.
15. Exemption from liability in respect of postal orders.
16. Fraudulently issuing postal orders.
17. Penalty for refusing to receive mail bag on board.
18. Payment for conveyance of mail bags by non-contract vessels.
19. No payment for conveyance of mail bags already paid for at port of departure.
20. All mail bags and postal packets arriving by vessel to be delivered to Post Office by master.
21. Stealing mail bag or postal packet.
22. Unlawfully taking away or opening mail bag sent by vessel or vehicle employed by Post Office.
23. Prohibition of fictitious stamps.
24. Article containing or bearing a fictitious stamp may be withheld.
25. Limitation of action against officers.
26. Disposal of money fines and fees.
27. Saving of existing Post Office.

An ordinance to provide for the establishment and regulation of a post office in Pitcairn Island.

"mail" includes every conveyance by which postal packets are carried whether it be an aircraft, vessel, car, coach, cart, horse or any other conveyance and also a person employed in conveying postal packets and also any vessel employed by or under the post office for the transmission of postal packets by contract or otherwise in respect of postal packets transmitted by the vessel;

"mail bag" includes a bag, box, parcel or any other envelope or covering in which postal packets in course of transmission by post are conveyed whether it does or does not contain any such packet;

"Mayor" means the person from time to time holding the office of Mayor of Pitcairn under the provisions of the Local Government Ordinance;

"officer of the Post Office" includes the Postmaster and any person employed in any business of the Post Office whether appointed by the Governor or employed by the Postmaster;

"postal packet" means a letter, postcard, reply postcard, newspaper, printed packet, pattern or sample packet, or parcel, and every packet or article transmissible by post and includes a telegram when conveyed by post;

(a) a postal packet shall be deemed to be in course of transmission by post from the time of its being delivered to a post office to the time of its being delivered to the person to whom it is addressed; and

(b) the delivery of a postal packet at the house of the person to whom the packet is addressed or to him or her or to his or her servant or agent or other person considered to be authorized to receive the packet shall be a delivery to the person to whom it is addressed.

4.The Governor shall appoint a Postmaster and such other officers as may be necessary for the purposes of this ordinance.

5.The Mayor, with the approval of the Governor, may make regulations for any purpose for which regulations may be made under this ordinance, and for prescribing anything which may be prescribed under this ordinance, and in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing powers, for regulating or prescribing—

(g) the arrangements for the collection of any duties of Customs or any duties or fees other than those prescribed by section 6 of this ordinance.

6.The Mayor with the approval of the Governor, may prescribe the fees, rates or charges to be levied and received for the conveyance of postal packets and for any other services rendered by the Post Office.

7.—(1) No letters shall be conveyed into or out of Pitcairn Island from or to any place between which and the Island postal communications are established, or be delivered or be distributed in the Island, otherwise than by or through the post, except—

(a) letters taken by a private friend on his way, journey or travel to be delivered by him to the person to whom they are directed without hire, reward or other profit or advantage for receiving, carrying or delivering them;

(b) letters solely concerning the affairs of the sender or receiver thereof sent by a messenger on purpose;

(c) letters solely concerning goods or property, sent either by sea, by land or by air, to be delivered with the goods or property which the letters concern without hire, reward or profit or advantage for receiving, carrying or delivering them:

Provided that such letters are open to inspection and have superscribed thereon the words "Consignee's Letter" or other words to the same effect;

(d) letters carried by a servant of the sender or by a special messenger employed by him.

But nothing herein contained shall authorize any person to make a collection of those excepted letters for the purpose of sending them in the manner hereby authorized.

(2) Subject as aforesaid the following persons are expressly forbidden to carry a letter or to receive, collect or deliver a letter although they do not receive hire or reward for it, that is to say—

(a) common known carriers, their servants or agents, except a letter concerning goods in their aircraft or vehicles or conveyances;

(b) owners, masters or commanders of vessels to or from Pitcairn Island or their servants or agents, except in respect of letters of merchants, owners of ships or goods on board;

(d) officers of the Post Office, except in respect of letters in course of transmission by post.

(3) Any person who sends or causes to be sent, or tenders or delivers in order to be sent, or conveys, or performs any service incidental to conveying any letter in contravention of the provisions of this section, or makes a collection of those excepted letters for the purpose of conveying or sending them either by post or otherwise, shall be guilty of an offence and liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding fifty dollars and in default of payment to imprisonment not exceeding one month.

8.—(1) The Government shall not incur any liability by reason of the loss, misdelivery, delay of or damage to any postal packet in course of transmission by post.

(2) No officer of the Post Office shall incur any liability by reason of any such loss, misdelivery, delay or damage unless that person has caused the same intentionally or by his negligence.

9.—(1) The Mayor may, with the approval of the Governor, cause to be provided postage stamps of such kinds and denoting such values as he may consider necessary for the purposes of this ordinance.

(2) The Mayor may, with the approval of the Governor, declare by notice published by affixing copies thereof to the public notice board, that any postage stamps shall cease to be valid for the purposes of this ordinance and thereupon such postage stamps shall cease to be valid.

Prohibition of sending by post explosives, noxious or deleterious substance, indecent printing, etc

10.—(1) No person shall send or attempt to send by post any postal packet which—

(a) encloses any explosive substance, any filth, any noxious or deleterious substance, any sharp instrument not properly protected, any living creature which is either noxious or likely to injure other postal packets in course of transmission by post or an officer of the Post Office, or any article or thing whatsoever which is likely to injure either other postal packets in course of transmission by post or any officer of the Post Office; or

(b) encloses any indecent, obscene or seditious printing, painting, photograph, cinematograph film, lithograph, engraving, book or card or any other indecent, obscene or seditious article; or

(c) has on the packet or on the cover thereof any words, marks or designs of an indecent, obscene, seditious, scurrilous, threatening, libellous or grossly offensive character;

(d) bears any fictitious postage stamp or purports to be prepaid with any postage stamp which has been previously used to prepay any other postal packet or which has been previously used in payment of stamp duty;

(e) contains any public lottery ticket or any advertisement of prizes or any other announcement relating to public lottery sweepstakes;

(f) deals with a fraudulent or immoral business or undertaking or one which purports to foretell future events;

(g) contains any article or thing prohibited by the laws of the Islands or the country to which the postal packet is addressed; or

(h) contains opium, morphine, cocaine or any other narcotic except in accordance with regulations made under section 5 hereof.

(2) If any person acts in contravention of this section he shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars or to imprisonment not exceeding one year or to both such fine and imprisonment.

(3) The detention in the Post Office of any postal packet on the ground of its being in contravention of this section shall not exempt the sender from any proceedings which might have been taken if the packet had been delivered in due course of post.

11.Where the Postmaster has reason to suspect that any postal packet contains anything in contravention of the provisions of section 10 hereof he or she may cause such postal packet to be detained and opened, and if it is found to contain such matter the Postmaster shall cause it to be destroyed or dealt with in such other manner as, subject to any regulations made hereunder, the Mayor shall direct:

Provided that no such postal packet being a closed letter shall be so opened without the consent in writing of the Mayor.

12.The sender of any postal packet, excepting a parcel, may upon payment of the prescribed fee in addition to the ordinary postage have that packet registered and obtain a receipt for the same from the Postmaster, but no such registration or receipt shall confer on any person any right to compensation or otherwise or impose on any officer of the Post Office any liability for the loss of any such packet or of the contents thereof:

Provided that the Postmaster may in his or her discretion and subject to requirements and limitations prescribed by regulation pay compensation for the loss of any registered postal packet or of the contents thereof.

13.Every postal packet containing coin, bank notes, currency notes, negotiable instruments payable to bearer, platinum, gold or silver manufactured or not, precious stones, jewels and other valuable articles shall, if posted unregistered, be liable to compulsory registration and to a consequent charge on delivery equal to double the amount of any deficiency in prepayment as a registered packet which may be shown thereon, but upon no postal packet compulsorily registered as aforesaid shall compensation be paid in case of loss.

14.—(1) The Mayor may, with the approval of the Governor, provide for the remitting of sums of money through the Post Office by means of postal orders and may make regulations as to such orders.

(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power such regulations may prescribe—

(3) Postal orders shall be issued and paid at such times and in such manner as the Postmaster may direct.

and no officer of the Post Office shall incur any such liability unless he or she has knowingly caused the same fraudulently or maliciously or by any wilful act or default.

16.—(1) If any officer of the Post Office grants or issues any postal order with a fraudulent intent he or she shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to imprisonment for any term not exceeding seven years.

(2) If any officer of the Post Office re-issues a postal order previously paid he or she shall be deemed to have issued the order with a fraudulent intent under this section.

17.If any master or person in charge of any vessel about to depart from Pitcairn Island to any port or place beyond the Island shall (after being thereto required by the Postmaster) refuse or neglect to receive on board such vessel any mail bag or to give a receipt for the same being thereto required by the person tendering or delivering such mail bag, or shall refuse or neglect carefully to deposit such mailbag in some secure and dry place on board of such vessel, or to convey the same upon her then intended voyage, such master or person shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars and in default of payment to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months.

18.—(1) Every master or person in charge of any vessel about to depart from Pitcairn Island for any other place beyond the Island, who receives on board thereof any mail bag for the purpose of conveying the same according to the direction thereof, shall be entitled to demand and receive for the carriage thereof payment at rates to be from time to time prescribed by the Governor.

(2) Nothing herein contained shall entitle the master or person in charge of any vessel under contract for the carriage of mail bags to receive payment for the same as aforesaid.

No payment for conveyance of mail bags already paid for at port pf departure

19. No payment shall be made to the master or person in charge of any vessel arriving from any port or place beyond Pitcairn Island for the conveyance of any mail bag on which payments have already been made at the port of departure.

All mail bags and Postal packets arriving by vessel to be delievered to Post Office by master

20.All mail bags and every loose postal packet which at the time of the arrival of any vessel at Pitcairn Island from any port or place beyond the same shall be on board thereof directed to any person in the Islands shall be delivered to the Postmaster or to any person duly authorized in that behalf. Any person who shall knowingly or negligently detain or keep in his or her possession or shall neglect or refuse to deliver any mail bag or any postal packet shall be guilty of an offence, and shall be liable to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars and in default of payment to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months:

Provided that nothing in this section shall apply to letters concerning goods on board such vessel and to be delivered with such goods or containing any commission, writ or affidavit or suit by way of introduction only or concerning the bearer's private affairs.

shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to imprisonment for any term not exceeding three years.

Unlawfully taking away or opening mail bag sent by vessel or vehicle employed by Post Office

22.Any person who unlawfully takes away or opens a mail bag sent by any vessel or vehicle employed by or under the Post Office for the transmission of postal packets under contract, or unlawfully takes a postal packet in course of transmission by post out of a mail bag so sent, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to imprisonment for any term not exceeding three years.

23.—(1) A person shall not knowingly use for the purpose of the Post Office any fictitious stamp.

(2) Subject to such conditions as may be prescribed it shall be lawful for a person to make or have in his possession a fictitious stamp or make or have in his possession a die, plate, instrument or materials for making such a stamp but not otherwise.

(3) Any person who acts in contravention of this section shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding two hundred dollars.

(4) Any stamp, die, plate, instruments or materials found in possession of any person in contravention of this section may be seized and shall on conviction of such person be forfeited.

(5) For the purposes of this section "fictitious stamp" shall mean any facsimile imitation or representation whether on paper or otherwise of any stamp for the time being authorized or required to be used for the purpose of the Post Office or of any stamp for denoting a current rate of postage of any country outside Pitcairn Island.

24.—(1) Whenever it is notified by the Postal Administration of any country to the Postmaster that any postal packet contains or bears any fictitious postage stamp, that is to say any facsimile or imitation or representation of any stamp for denoting any rate of duty or postage, or purports to be prepaid with any postage stamp which has been previously used to prepay any other postal packet, or whenever any postal packet containing or bearing any such fictitious postage stamp is found in the Post Office of Pitcairn Island, it shall be the duty of the Postmaster to withhold the delivery of such postal packet from the person to whom the same may be addressed, unless such addressee or his or her representative consents to make known the name and address of the sender and to place at the disposal of the Post Office, after having taken cognizance of the contents, the entire packet, if it is inseparable from the offence itself, or else the part of the packet, wrapper or other portion of such postal packet which contains the address, if any, and the stamp so stated to be fictitious or used, and provided also that such addressee or representative shall sign or fill up any document that may be required by the Postmaster embodying the above information.

(2) In the event of the refusal of the addressee or his or her representative to comply with the above requirements such postal packet may either be sent back to the country of origin or may be dealt with or disposed of in such manner as may be authorized by the Mayor.

25.If any action or suit shall be commenced against any officer of the Post Office for damages on account of anything done or omitted to be done in pursuance of this ordinance the same shall be commenced within twelve months after the act committed or omitted, and no such action shall be commenced until one month after notice thereof and of the cause thereof shall have been delivered to the defendant or left at his usual place of abode by the party intending to commence such action, and upon the back of such notice shall be endorsed the name and place of abode or business of the plaintiff and his or her attorney or agent. The defendant in such action may plead the general issue and give the special matter in evidence, and if it shall appear that the action was commenced after the time before limited for bringing the same the court shall give judgment for the defendant.

26.All moneys levied and received and all penalties recovered under the provisions of this ordinance shall be paid to the general revenue of the Islands.

27.The Post Office in Pitcairn Island at the commencement of this ordinance shall be deemed to have been established by the Governor under this Ordinance.

1.These regulations may be cited for all purposes as the Post Office Regulations.

2.The hours during which the Post Office shall be open for the conduct of various classes of public business shall be as determined and notified by the Postmaster.

3.The rates of postage payable for the transmission of postal packets through the post and the supplementary fees in connection therewith shall be as set forth in Appendices A, B, C and E in the Schedule to these regulations.

4.The dimensions and weights of packets transmitted through the post shall be as set forth in Appendix D in the Schedule to these regulations.

5.The contents of every postal packet shall be packed and secured by the sender in such a manner as may afford adequate protection to the contents thereof and to other postal packets. Any packet which in the opinion of the Postmaster does not comply with this regulation may be refused acceptance or may be intercepted and detained in the course of transmission.

6.No postal packet directed to one address may contain any other packet addressed to a different address. Any postal packet found to contain any enclosure contrary to this regulation shall be surcharged on delivery with an amount equal to double the postage which would have been payable upon such enclosure if it had been transmitted separately.

7.—(1) Postal packets for transmission at the rate of postage prescribed for commercial papers, printed papers, samples or newspapers shall be made up in such manner as to be capable of a ready inspection of the contents.

(2) Officers of the post office may examine the contents of any packet of commercial or printed papers or samples for the purpose of ascertaining whether they are in accordance with these regulations but such officers must securely refasten any packet so opened.

8.Any postal packet purporting to be a commercial paper, a printed paper, a sample or a newspaper within the meaning of these regulations which may be found to contravene any of the provisions thereof shall, without prejudice to any penalty which may be imposed upon the sender under the Post Office Ordinance, cap. 21, be liable to be treated as a letter and surcharged upon delivery with an amount equal to double the deficient postage at the letter rate.

9.For every inquiry instituted by the Postmaster at the request of either the sender or the addressee in regard to any registered postal packet or parcel said to have been posted, the Postmaster may require the applicant to make a declaration in support of the information furnished by the applicant in such form as may be decided by the Postmaster and except where an acknowledgment of delivery has been paid for, may further require the applicant to pay the fee prescribed in Appendix E in the Schedule to these regulations.

10.Postal packets addressed to or received from any country outside Pitcairn Island shall be subject to the provisions of any Convention or agreement in regard to transmission of such packets through the post in force for the time being between the Island and the postal authority of such country and to the provisions of any contract for the conveyance of mails by sea in force for the time being between the Island and any company or person or body of persons.

11.Letters shall not contain any letter, note or document which has the character of current and personal correspondence addressed to persons other than the addressee or persons living with the addressee.

12.The following shall be considered as commercial papers, provided that they have not the character of current and personal correspondence: All correspondence which is out-of-date and has already fulfilled its original purpose, and copies thereof, papers of legal procedure, documents of all kinds drawn up by public functionaries, way-bills or bills of lading, invoices, documents of insurance companies, copies of or extracts from deeds under private seal written on stamped or unstamped paper, musical scores or sheets of music in manuscript, the manuscripts of works or of newspapers forwarded separately, pupils' exercises in original or with corrections but without any note which does not relate directly to the execution of the work.

13.Commercial papers shall be subject so far as regards form and make-up to the regulations laid down for printed papers:

Provided that envelopes only partly open at the ends or in any way closed against inspection shall not be admitted as commercial papers.

14.The following shall be considered as printed papers and shall be allowed to pass as such: newspapers and periodicals, books sewn or bound, pamphlets, sheets of music excluding perforated sheets intended to be used with automatic musical instruments, visiting cards, address cards, proofs of printing, engravings, photographs and albums containing photographs, pictures, drawings, plans, maps, paper patterns, catalogues, prospectuses, advertisements and notices of various kinds, printed, engraved, lithographed or mimeographed, and in general all impressions or copies obtained upon paper or similar materials, parchment or cardboard by means of printing, engraving, lithography, mimeography or any other mechanical process easy to recognize, except the copying press handstamps with or without movable type and the typewriter.

15.—(1) Printed papers must be made up in such a way that they can be easily examined. They shall be either placed in wrappers or upon rollers or between boards or in cases open at both ends or open both sides or in unclosed envelopes or they shall be secured with a string easy to untie.

(2) Printed papers of the form and substance of a card may be sent unenclosed without band, envelope or fastening. The same method of despatch shall be allowed for printed papers folded in such a way that they cannot become unfolded during transmission and so that there shall be no risk of their entrapping other articles.

16.It shall be permissible to enclose in one and the same packet commercial papers, printed papers (but not printed papers intended for the blind), and samples of merchandise, subject to the following conditions:—

(a) that each packet taken singly does not exceed the limits which are applicable to it as regards weight and size;

17.Small packets shall be packed in such a manner as to be easy of examination and they shall be sent in bags, boxes, or removable covers.

18.Articles of glass or other fragile materials, packets containing liquids, oils, fatty substances, dry powders whether dyes or not, as well as packets of live bees, leeches, and of silkworm eggs, shall be treated as small packets, provided that they are packed in the following manner—

(a) articles of glass or other fragile materials shall be securely packed in boxes of metal, wood or strong corrugated cardboard so as to prevent all danger to postal officers and to correspondence;

(b) liquids, oils and substances which easily liquefy shall be enclosed in receptacles hermetically sealed. Each receptacle shall be placed in a special box of metal, strong wood, or strong corrugated cardboard containing sawdust, cotton or spongy material in sufficient quantity to absorb the liquid in the event of the breakage of the receptacle. The lid of the box shall be fixed in such a manner that it cannot easily become detached;

(c) fatty substances which do not easily liquefy such as ointments, soft soap, resin, etc., as well as silkworm eggs, the transmission of which presents fewer difficulties shall be enclosed in an inner cover, box, bag of linen or parchment, etc., which shall itself be placed in a second box of wood, metal or stout thick leather;

(d) dry colouring powders, such as aniline blue, shall not be admitted unless enclosed in stout tin boxes placed inside wooden boxes with sawdust between the two covers. Dry non-colouring powders shall be placed in boxes of metal, wood, or cardboard; these boxes shall themselves be enclosed in a bag of linen or parchment;

(e) live bees and leeches shall be enclosed in boxes so constructed as to avoid all danger.

19.Articles which would be spoilt if packed according to the general rules shall be admitted in a cover hermetically sealed. In that case the sender or the addressee may be required to assist in the check of the contents either by opening certain packets indicated by the Postmaster or in some other satisfactory manner.

20.Packing shall not be obligatory for articles consisting of one piece such as pieces of metal or wood which it is not the custom of the trade to pack.

21.—(1) The name and address of the sender shall be indicated on small packets at the bottom left hand corner of the address side.

(2) Small packets may contain all articles admissible for transmission by letter post including dutiable articles but shall not contain letters, notes or documents having the character of actual and personal correspondence (other than an open invoice reduced to its simplest form, the address of the article and the sender's address); coin; banknotes; currency notes; negotiable instruments payable to bearer; platinum, gold or silver, manufactured or not; precious stones; jewels and other valuable articles, postage stamps whether obliterated or not.

(3) Small packets addressed to places beyond the Island shall bear a special green Customs label obtainable at all post offices.

(4) Small packets may be addressed to any place within the Island, Great Britain, the United States of America and such other countries as accept them.

22.—(1) Correspondence posted for delivery within Pitcairn Island which is wholly unpaid or insufficiently prepaid shall be charged with double the deficiency on delivery.

(2) Wholly unpaid and insufficiently prepaid letters and postcards and other articles which are partly prepaid posted within Pitcairn Island addressed to any other part of the British Commonwealth shall be forwarded for delivery; articles other than letters and postcards which are wholly unpaid shall not be forwarded but shall be dealt with through the Post Office.

(3) Wholly unpaid and insufficiently prepaid letters and postcards, and other articles which are partly prepaid posted within Pitcairn Island addressed to any other country shall be charged with double the deficiency with a minimum charge of one cent and shall be forwarded for delivery. Articles other than letters and postcards which are wholly unpaid shall not be forwarded but shall be dealt with through the Post Office.

(4) Reply paid postcards of which the two halves are not fully prepaid shall not be forwarded to their destination.

23.The address of every postal packet for registration shall be written in ink or copying ink pencil and in Roman characters.

24.Postal packets for registration shall be handed to an officer appointed for that purpose during such hours as may be notified and shall not be posted in any posting-box.

25.Postal packets for registration shall be fully prepaid at the time of handing in for transmission to the place of destination.

26.No packet shall be accepted for registration unless the cover is in sound condition. Under no circumstances shall packets be accepted for registration if selvaged stamp paper or other gummed paper is attached to the covers thereof or if the packets have the appearance of having been opened and resealed.

27.Every postal packet duly handed in for registration shall be given a distinctive number. A receipt bearing such number, the address of the relative packet and an impression of the date stamp of the office at which the packet is handed in for registration shall be given to the sender by the receiving officer and such receipt shall be prima facie evidence of the registration of such packet.

28.The sender of any registered postal packet may upon application either at the time of registration thereof or at any time within one year thereafter and upon payment of the fee set out in Appendix E in the Schedule to these regulations in addition to the fee for registration require to be furnished with an acknowledgment of the receipt of such packet.

29.—(1) Any postal packet which may be posted otherwise than as laid down in regulation 24 and which may bear any inscription or mark which may reasonably be assumed to indicate that it was the intention of the sender that such packet should be registered may upon detection be registered and subjected to the fee prescribed in Appendix E in the Schedule to these regulations for compulsory registration in addition to the ordinary postage due upon such letter or packet, and any unregistered postal packet which there is reasonable cause to believe contains money or other valuable enclosure (including postage stamps exceeding 10 cents in value) shall be similarly treated.

(2) Any postal packet which has been compulsorily registered under this regulation on the ground of its being supposed to contain a valuable enclosure and which may be opened in the presence of the officer delivering the same and found not to contain any such enclosure shall be delivered free of charge in respect of registration.

30.Any person to whom any registered postal packet is delivered shall give to the officer delivering it a receipt for the same on a form to be provided by the Postmaster, which receipt shall be a good discharge for the delivery of such registered packet.

31.Every registered postal packet which may from any cause be undeliverable to the person to whom it is addressed shall be returned to the sender, if known, by registered post without further charge for postage or registration. And any unregistered postal packet which may likewise be undeliverable and the contents of which may be found to be of intrinsic value may be returned by the Postmaster to the sender, if known, through the registered post and such sender shall be liable in respect of such packet for the fee prescribed in Appendix E in the Schedule to these regulations for compulsory registration.

32.The Postmaster may in his discretion and as an act of grace, subject to the conditions hereinafter mentioned, pay compensation not exceeding four dollars for the loss, while in the custody of the Post Office, of any postal packet, or the whole or any portion of the contents thereof, which has been admitted for transmission by registered post within Pitcairn Island.

(a) any postal packet containing anything which may not be lawfully sent by post; or

(b) money, whether coin or paper unless sent by registered letter post and then only if—

(i) any coins enclosed in the letter have been packed in such a way as to move about as little as possible;

(ii) the number, amount and date of issue of any currency note and also the bank of issue in the case of a bank note enclosed, be supplied to the Postmaster when required;

(iii) the amount, number and date of issue of any money order or postal order enclosed be supplied to the Postmaster when required; and

(iv) particulars sufficient to identify the document be supplied to the Postmaster in the case of any bill of exchange, bond, coupon or other order or authority for the payment of money or security for money, enclosed in the letter.

34.In no case shall compensation be paid where it appears that the loss has arisen from any neglect or omission on the part of the sender.

35.—(1) Compensation shall in no case exceed the value of the postal packet or any portion of the contents thereof which may be lost. No compensation shall be given for injury or damage consequent upon the loss of any registered packet.

(2) The Postmaster may in any case reinstate or make good in kind the contents of any lost packet instead of giving pecuniary compensation for loss.

(3) Where compensation has been given in respect of any postal packet and such packet subsequently comes into the hands of the Postmaster, he may retain or dispose of the same as he may deem fit.

36.The receipt given to the sender at the time of registration of any postal packet in connection with the loss of which application is made for compensation, shall be produced by the applicant whenever required by the Postmaster.

37.Every application for compensation in respect of a postal packet the contents of which are alleged to have been lost during transmission through the post shall be accompanied by the envelope or cover of such article in as nearly as possible the condition in which it was delivered by the Post Office.

38.Under no circumstances shall an application for compensation be entertained if made after the expiration of one year from the date of posting the relative postal packet.

39.In cases where registered packets are lost abroad the final decision upon the question of payment of compensation rests with the Postal Administration of the country in which the loss takes place.

40.When no direction in writing to the contrary has been received correspondence for a husband may be delivered to his wife and correspondence for a wife may be delivered to her husband and correspondence addressed to members of the same family living in the same house may be delivered to any responsible member of the family living in the house (except young children) or to any messenger authorized to receive it.

41.Except as set forth in regulation 40 no postal packet shall be delivered to any person other than—

(b) a person authorized by written order from the addressee to receive delivery of postal packets on his behalf; such order shall bear the date on which it is made and the addressee's address and shall be witnessed by some person other than the person in whose favour it is made and shall be delivered to the Postmaster;

(a) having marked thereon or on the cover thereof any words, letters or marks (used without due authority) which signify or imply or may reasonably lead the recipient thereof to believe that the postal packet is sent on Her Majesty's Service;

(b) having thereon or on the cover thereof any words, marks or designs of a character likely in the opinion of the Postmaster to embarrass the officers of the post office in dealing with the packet in the post; or

(c) of such a form or so made up for transmission by post as to be likely in the opinion of the Postmaster to embarrass the officers of the post office in dealing with the packet in the post.

43.There shall not be conveyed by unregistered post, coin, banknotes, currency notes, negotiable instruments payable to bearer, platinum, gold or silver manufactured or not, precious stones, jewels or other valuable articles. The transmission of postage stamps whether obliterated or not in open packets is prohibited.

44.Prohibited packets if tendered for transmission shall be refused or, if detected in transit, detained and dealt with in such a manner as the Postmaster may direct.

45.Packets enclosed in envelopes entirely transparent or in envelopes with an open panel or with a panel which reflects artificial light are prohibited and shall be dealt with under the last preceding regulation.

46.The following conditions apply to packets in envelopes with a transparent panel—

(a) the transparent panel shall be parallel to the length of the envelope so that the addressee appears in the same direction and the application of the date stamp is not interfered with;

(b) the panel shall be sufficiently transparent for the address to be perfectly legible even in artificial light and shall take writing;

(c) only the name and address of the addressee shall show through the panel and the contents of the envelope shall be folded so that the address cannot be obscured wholly or partly through slipping; and

(d) the address shall be legibly indicated in ink or typewriting. Articles addressed in copying-ink pencil or lead pencil shall not be admitted.

47.In this Part the expression "parcel" means a postal packet which is posted as a parcel in accordance with the provisions of these regulations or any regulations amending the same.

48.Every parcel shall bear on the outside of the cover thereof the name and address of the sender and unless inscribed with the words "Parcel Post" and secured in such a manner as to allow the contents to be readily withdrawn and examined shall have attached to the cover a form similar to that set forth in Appendix F in the Schedule to these regulations.

49.Every parcel for transmission shall be handed in over the Post Office counter during such hours as may be notified by the Postmaster. Any parcel for delivery within Pitcairn Island which is posted in a posting box shall be subject on delivery to a fee as set out in Appendix E in the Schedule to these regulations in addition to any other charges which may be due thereon.

50.The sender of any parcel may upon application at the time of handing in such parcel obtain a certificate of the posting thereof. Such certificate shall not however imply any liability on the part of the Postmaster for any loss, injury or delay which may subsequently take place in respect of such parcel.

51.Any parcel found to contain or to bear on the cover thereof any article or communication chargeable at the letter rate of postage shall without prejudice to any penalty which may be imposed under the Post Office Ordinance be surcharged on delivery with an amount equal to double the postage payable upon such article or communication if it had been transmitted separately.

52.Every parcel redirected at the request of either the sender or the addressee thereof from one post office to another shall be subject upon delivery in addition to any other charges which may be leviable thereon to a charge equal to the postage which would have been payable upon such parcel if it were being transmitted for the first time from the one office to the other.

53.—(1) In case of any parcel returned to the sender at his request before the same has been despatched from the office at which it was handed in, the sender shall have no claim in respect of the postage stamps affixed to such parcel if such stamps have already been cancelled.

(2) Any parcel stopped in transit for return to the sender or delivery to the addressee at any post office other than the office at which stoppage is effected and any undeliverable parcel returned to the sender direct from the office to which the same has been forwarded for delivery shall be regarded as redirected from such office to another office and shall be subject to the usual charges in respect of such redirection.

54.The Postmaster may return to the sender at the expense of the latter any parcel which has not been claimed within a period of fifteen days from the date on which it was originally received at the office of destination except in the case of parcels originating in New Zealand in which case the period of retention shall be thirty days.

55.The delivery of parcels otherwise than from post offices shall not be obligatory, but where such delivery is not undertaken, the Postmaster shall cause the addressee of every parcel to be advised by post of the receipt thereof at the local post office and of its detention there.

56.No parcel shall consist of or contain two or more packets addressed to different persons at different addresses. If such parcel be discovered, each of its contents shall be treated as a separate parcel and be charged for accordingly.

57.Parcels shall be so securely and substantially packed as to preserve their contents from loss or damage in the post and also to avoid injuring other parcels in the mail or any officer of the post office.

58.In any case where an officer of the post office may find it necessary or expedient for the safety or protection of parcels that any parcel should be forwarded or delivered by some later despatch or delivery than that for which the same was posted or despatched or intended to be posted or despatched he may delay the despatch or delivery of such parcel or make other and special arrangements as to the despatch or delivery thereof as may be deemed by such officer necessary or expedient in the circumstances of the case.

59.The sender of a parcel may request at the time of posting that if the parcel cannot be delivered as addressed it may be either—

and no other alternative shall be admissible. If the sender avails himself of this facility his request shall be written on the parcel and shall be in one of the following forms:

60.In the absence of a definite request for abandonment, a parcel which is undeliverable at the original address, or at the alternative address if one is furnished, shall be returned to the sender without previous notification and at his expense.

61.Where the despatch or delivery from the Post Office in Pitcairn Island of letters would be delayed by the despatch or delivery therefrom at the same time of parcels such parcels or any of them may be detained in the office until the despatch or delivery next following that by which they would ordinarily be despatched or delivered.

62.The contents of unclaimed or undelivered parcels which have been returned to Pitcairn Island and cannot be delivered to the sender shall be sold or destroyed as directed by the Postmaster.

63.Parcels shall be received and forwarded at the risk of the owners but, as an act of grace, compensation up to the maximum of two dollars may be allowed for total loss of or damage to a parcel securely packed and forwarded in accordance with these regulations:

Provided that no compensation shall be paid for damage to any article inadequately or insecurely packed.

64.In no circumstances will compensation be paid in respect of a parcel which has been lost or has sustained damage or loss of contents through any cause beyond control. Each claim for compensation must be supported by the production of the relative certificate of posting.

65.No parcel shall be delivered by the Postmaster except to the addressee thereof or his authorized agent. Every addressee of a parcel wishing it to be delivered to another person on his behalf must sign and deliver to the Postmaster an authority in such form as he may direct.

66.—(1) All notices of removal and applications for the redirection of postal packets shall be signed by the persons to whom such packets are addressed.

(2) The printed form of notice which may be obtained on application at any Post Office shall be used wherever practicable.

(3) Redirection orders by telegraph shall be accepted provided that signatures are in full and can be verified.

67.—(1) Changes of address shall be recorded for a period not exceeding six months and if not renewed before the expiration of that time, shall be deemed to have lapsed.

(2) Applications for the redirection of postal packets should be made to the Postmaster of the office to which such packets are addressed.

68.No charge shall be made for redirection of postal packets except in the case of parcels, but a postal packet which is properly prepaid for first transmission and on which the supplementary postage appropriate to the further transmission has not been paid before redirection shall be charged with a rate equal to the difference (if any) between the amount of postage already paid and that which would have been charged if the postal packet had been despatched in the first instance to the new destination.

69.A postal packet unpaid or insufficiently prepaid for transmission to the place of first address, if redirected to another address shall, in addition to any charges already due thereon, be subject to a charge under the last preceding regulation.

Official documents to be franked by authorised persons for free transmission

70.—(1) Postal packets on the public service shall be franked for transmission by post either by means of a franking stamp approved by the Mayor and bearing the designation of the department or office from which it is posted and the words "Official Paid"; or shall bear the signature of the sender followed by his official designation at the bottom lefthand corner of the envelope or cover.

(2) Every officer authorized to use a franking stamp shall be responsible for its proper use and custody according to these rules.

(3) Officers authorized to frank postal packets on the public service shall also be entitled to receive, without prepayment of postage, letters and other documents addressed to them in their official capacity and superscribed "On Her Majesty's Service" provided such articles are on the public service and not on the private business or in the personal interest of the sender.

(4) Any public officer who may receive any postal packet which is franked as being "On Her Majesty's Service" but is not entitled to pass through the post without prepayment, shall forward the cover thereof, a certified copy of the contents and a statement of its weight, with a report of the facts of the case, to the Mayor, by whom the postage due thereon shall be collected from the sender or other action taken, as the Mayor may deem fit.

(b) postal packets addressed to initials or fictitious names except when directed to the care of a person or a private post office box duly rented;

(d) postal packets supposed to contain enclosures the registration of which is compulsory or the transmission of which to the place of address is prohibited;

(e) postal packets addressed to a deceased person which cannot be delivered to a lawful representative;

(f) postal packets the address of which applies equally to two or more persons or firms leaving it doubtful for whom they are intended;

(g) postal packets posted in contravention of the Post Office Ordinance, or these regulations;

(h) postal packets addressed to a person who cannot be found at the address given and whose whereabouts is unknown;

(i) postal packets addressed to a poste restante of "to be called for" remaining undelivered after the expiration of two months from the date of their receipt at the post office to which they are addressed;

(j) postal packets directed to a ship which it is known will not be at the port to which such articles are addressed within a period of six months from the date of their receipt at the post office at such port.

72.—(1) Subject to the provisions of the next succeeding paragraph, every postal packet which remains undelivered at the post office shall be kept at such office for delivery for a period of one month; and if still undelivered at the expiration of such period shall be dealt with as provided by the next succeeding regulation:

Provided that postal packets originally posted outside Pitcairn Island shall be kept for a period of six months before being dealt with.

(2) Any undelivered postal packet (other than a parcel or a newspaper) bearing on the outside of the cover the name and address of the writer or sender thereof may, after retention for the usual period at the office to which the same has been forwarded for delivery, be returned unopened from such office to such writer or sender; and any postal packet (other than a parcel or a newspaper) bearing on the address side of the cover thereof a request that it be returned to the sender if undelivered after the expiration of a specified period shorter than the time prescribed for the retention of undelivered postal packets generally, shall be returned in like manner immediately after the expiration of the period specified in such request.

73.—(1) All postal packets other than parcels or newspapers remaining undelivered shall be disposed of in the following manner—

(a) a postal packet from a place beyond Pitcairn Island shall be returned unopened to the country of origin;

(b) a postal packet originally posted within the Island shall if possible, be returned to the writer or sender thereof. When necessary, any such postal packet may be opened by the Postmaster;

(c) a postal packet which cannot be delivered either to the addressee or to the writer or sender thereof may, unless it contains coin or valuable or saleable articles, be destroyed by the Postmaster;

(d) a postal packet found to contain coin or any valuable or saleable article shall be safely kept and a memorandum of such contents shall be made and preserved for six months, at the end of which time the coin shall be paid to the general revenue and the valuable or saleable article may be destroyed or sold as the Mayor may direct; and if sold, the proceeds thereof shall be paid into general revenue.

(2) Before an undelivered postal packet on which postal charges have become due is returned to the sender, such postal charges shall be paid by the sender.

(3) Printed papers of no value shall not be returned to the country of origin or to the senders unless their return has been asked for by means of a note on the cover.

74.No information shall be given respecting postal packets passing through a post office except to the persons to whom they are addressed; and in no other way shall information of a private character be made public.

75.Except as provided in these regulations, the Postmaster shall not return any postal packet to the writer or sender or to any one else or delay forwarding it to its destination according to the address.

76.—(1) The Postmaster is not bound to weigh postal packets for the public but he may do so if his duty is not thereby impeded.

(2) This regulation does not apply to parcels which shall be tested both as to weight and size before being accepted.

77.The Postmaster is not bound to give change and when money is paid at the post office, whether as change or otherwise, no question as to its right amount, goodness or weight shall be entertained after it has been removed from the counter.

Letters	First 20g or fraction thereof.. Every succeeding 20g or fraction thereof	15c 10c
Postcards	Single rectangular postcard	10c
Printed papers Comprising books magazines, newspapers etc	Every 100g or fraction thereof	10c
Registration	Registration fee	50c
Small Packets (up to a limit of 1kg)	First 250g or fraction thereof Every succeeding 50g or fraction thereof	20c 10c
Literature for the Blind	Free (Up to 7kg)

APPENDIX B
ECONOMY INTERNATIONAL
RATES OF POSTAGE BEYOND PITCAIRN
(via New Zealand Post International only)

Weight KG	New Zealand	Australia & South Pacific	East Asia & North America	UK & Europe	Rest of the World
0 – 1.0	$1.00	$1.80	$2.00	$2.50	$3.00
1.0 – 2.0	$1.50	$2.50	$2.80	$3.00	$4.00
2.0 – 3.0	$2.00	$3.00	$3.60	$3.80	$5.00
3.0 – 4.0	$2.50	$3.50	$4.40	$4.60	$6.00
4.0 – 5.0	$3.00	$4.00	$5.20	$5.50	$7.00
5.0 – 6.0	$3.50	$5.00	$6.00	$6.40	$8.00
6.0 – 7.0	$4.00	$5.50	$6.80	$7.30	$9.00
7.0 – 8.0	$4.50	$6.00	$7.60	$8.20	$10.00
8.0 – 9.0	$5.00	$6.50	$8.40	$9.00	$11.00
9.0 – 10.0	$5.50	$7.00	$9.20	$10.00	$12.00

Weight KG	New Zealand	Australia & South Pacific	East Asia & North America	UK & Europe	Rest of the World
0–0.5	$ 1.20	$ 4.00	$ 5.50	$ 6.50	$ 8.20
0.5–1.0	$2.00	$5.50	$9.20	$11.20	$13.50
1.0–1.5	$2.50	$7.50	$13.50	$16.00	$19.00
1.5–2.0	$3.00	$9.20	$17.50	$20.50	$24.50
2.0–3.0	$3.80	$11.50	$23.20	$27.50	$32.00
3.0–4.0	$4.50	$14.00	$29.50	$34.20	$41.20
4.0–5.0	$5.20	$17.50	$36.00	$42.50	$51.50
5.0–6.0	$6.00	$19.20	$39.50	$49.00	$58.00
6.0–7.0	$7.00	$21.00	$43.00	$54.20	$64.20
7.0–8.0	$8.00	$22.50	$47.20	$58.50	$72.00
8.0–9.0	$9.00	$24.20	$52.50	$63.50	$78.50
9.0–10.0	$10.00	$26.00	$58.00	$68.00	$85.00

A blue Air International label must be affixed to the top left-hand corner of each article to be sent by Air International. Alternatively, the indication "Air Mail" may be written prominently in the same position.

Weight KG	New Zealand	Australia & South Pacific	East Asia & North America	UK & Europe	Rest of the World
0–1.0	$4.50	$5.50	$9.00	$7.50	$11.00
1.0–1.5	$6.00	$7.50	$12.00	$11.00	$16.50
1.5–2.0	$7.50	$10.00	$16.50	$14.20	$21.00
2.0–3.0	$9.20	$13.20	$22.20	$18.00	$27.50
3.0–4.0	$11.50	$16.50	$28.00	$23.00	$33.50
4.0–5.0	$14.00	$20.00	$34.00	$27.50	$40.00
5.0–6.0	$15.50	$23.50	$37.50	$30.20	$43.00
6.0–7.0	$17.00	$27.00	$41.00	$33.50	$48.50
7.0–8.0	$18.50	$30.20	$45.50	$36.50	$53.00
8.0–9.0	$20.20	$34.00	$50.00	$40.00	$58.00
9.0–10.0	$22.00	$38.00	$55.00	$45.00	$64.00

Item	Charge
For the registration of any postal packet	$2.00
For the acknowledgement of delivery of any registered packet (Regulation 28)	$1.00
For the compulsory registration of any packet (Regulation 29) less any amount pre-paid in excess of the postage	$2.00
For a parcel posted in a letter-box	$0.10
For every inquiry under Regulation 9	$1.00

APPENDIX F
PARCEL POST LABELS (Regulation 48)
PITCAIRN ISLAND PARCEL POST

POSTAL ADMINISTRATION PITCAIRN ISLAND CUSTOMS DECLARATION					IMPORTANT The customs abroad need to know exactly what is in your package. If this declaration does not provide sufficient information there may be delay and inconvenience to the addressee. Make sure that the contents are described separately, accurately, and in detail. Give all relevant information and do not use general descriptions such as "foodstuff", "clothing", "gift". False, misleading or incomplete declaration may lead to seizure of the package or the imposition of penalties.
Total gross weight of parcel ______		Country of Origin		Country of Destination	INSERT 'X' if contents are : A gift ! A sample merchandise !
Statement of Contents (see above)					Tariff Number	Value		Net Weight
Qty	Detailed Desciption					$
						:
						:
						:
						:
						:

Instructions for disposal in the event of non-delivery must be indicated by placing a tick in the appropriate box below. The sender must repay all charges due on a returned parcel which in the case of return by air may be considerable. Parcels for which the sender has not given instructions are returned without advice. If the parcel cannot be delivered as addressed, I request that it be: ! (a) returned to me forthwith by surface/air ! (b) returned to me by surface/air at the end of a period of ........ days ! (c) delivered or redirected by *surface/air to: ......................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................... ! (d) treated as abandoned
The undersigned certifies that the particulars given in this Declaration are correct							Senders reference if any
Signature And Address of Sender			) ) ) )
*Delete whichever is applicable

*Custom Declaration*							*Douane CN22*
!	Merchandise/ Sample Enchantilloncommercial	!	Gift Cadeau		!	Documents Documents		Value (Valueur)





Total weight (Poids brut)				Total value NZ$ (Valeur totale)

I certify that this article DOES NOT contain any DANGEROUS or PROHIBITED GOODS This article may be opened officially (Peut être ouvert d'office)
Signature of Sender Signature de l 'expenditeur				X

Regulations:
14^th July 1954
9^th November 1958
4^th November 1968
26^th March 1971

1. Short title.
2. Payment restricted to British postal orders.
3. Where postal orders are payable.
4. Poundage.
5. Stamps attached to postal orders in extension of face value.
6. Issue of orders.
7. Validity of orders.
8. Signature of payee to be obtained.
9. Mutilated or defaced orders.
10. Payment of orders in intestate estates.
11. Non-liability of the postmaster.

2.The payment of postal orders under these Regulations shall be restricted to British postal orders issued in the United Kingdom or such other countries as the Governor may from time to time by notice declare.

3.Postal orders may be issued for payment within such countries of the British Commonwealth and other countries as the Governor may from time to time by notice declare.

4.The rates of poundage which shall be charged for the issue of postal orders shall be as set out in the Schedule hereto.\

5.—(1) Postage stamps, not exceeding two in number and nine cents (or its nearest equivalent in the currency of the country of issue) in value may be affixed to the face of any postal order to supplement its value, and such order shall be cashed on presentation for the full value of the order and the stamps combined:

Provided that the stamps are affixed in the spaces set apart for the purpose only; that they represent 1 cent or its nearest equivalent in the currency of the country of issue or a multiple thereof, and are stamps of the Islands, the United Kingdom or of the country in which the order shall have been issued; and that such country has agreed to the encashment of stamps when affixed to postal orders.

(2) Postage stamps perforated with initials or marks, and embossed or impressed stamps cut out of envelopes, postcard wrappers, letter-cards, or other articles shall not be available for attachment to postal orders.

6.Before any postal order shall be issued, the remitter shall pay to the Postmaster the amount of the order and the poundage due thereon, and shall furnish all such information as may be required by the Postmaster. The Postmaster shall then sign the order and stamp it with the date-stamp of his office, indicating the date upon which the order is issued.

7.No postal order shall be paid after the expiration of six months from the last day of the month in which it shall have been issued, except under the express authority of the Governor and upon payment of a further commission equal to the original poundage charged.

8.—(1) Before any postal order shall be paid, the payee shall fill in the name of the office at which the order is to be paid (if this has not already been done) and sign his or her name in ink in the space provided for the purpose on the order, and shall furnish such means of identification or proof of his or her authority to receive payment of the order as may be required by the Postmaster.

(2) If the payee cannot write, his or her mark shall be attested by a witness in the presence of the paying officer.

(3) The signature of the payee shall correspond in every particular with the name of the payee as stated in the postal order.

9.Any postal order presented for payment in a mutilated or defaced condition, or bearing signs of any erasure or alteration having been made therein, may be refused payment.

10.Should the payee of any postal order die intestate before payment of such order is effected, and letters of administration be not produced to the Postmaster, the Mayor may at his discretion authorize the payment of the amount of such order either to the next of kin of the deceased payee or to such other person as may to him appear to be entitled thereto, and every such payment shall be a valid and effectual discharge against any demand or claim made upon the Postmaster by any other person as being the lawful representative of such payee, and any such person as aforesaid shall have his remedy by recourse against the person who shall have received such payment and not otherwise.

11.After once paying a postal order, by whomsoever presented, the Government shall not be liable to pay compensation for loss or injury arising out of delay in payment of a postal order, or out of any other irregularities in connection with a postal order.

	New Zealand	Australia & South Pacific	East Asia & North America	UK & Europe	Rest of the World
Post Card	$0.20	$0.20	$0.20	$0.20	$0.20
Medium	$0.20	$0.30	$0.40	$0.40	$0.40
Large	$0.50	$0.70	$0.80	$0.80	$1.00
Extra Large	$0.80	$1.00	$1.20	$1.50	$1.80

Size	Maximum Dimensions	Maximum Weight	Maximum Thickness
Postcards	120mm x 235mm	10g	–
Medium	120mm x 235mm	200g	10mm
Large	230mm x 325mm	200g	10mm
Extra Large	260mm x 385mm	200g	10mm

Item	Maximum Dimensions		Maximum Weight
Small Parcel	Length + width + depth Up to 900mm	Length of any side up to 600mm	1kg
Rolls & Tubes	Length + twice diameter Up to 1040mm	Length Up to 900mm	1kg

Item	Maximum Dimensions		Maximum Weight
Parcels	Length + girth Up to 2 metres	Length of any side 1.05 metres	10kg

Denominations in Sterling	Poundage in New Zealand cents
5 p to 95 p inclusive.........................	8 cents
£1.....................................................	10 cents
£2 to £5 inclusive.............................	18 cents

Pitcairn Islands Consolidated Legislation

Post Office Ordinance