Her Majesty's Mails

THE BOOK-POST. (a) Written or printed matter of any kind--including matter which may be sent by the ordinary newspaper-post, or under the special privileges of parliamentary proceedings--may be sent through the book-post under the following rates and conditions:-- (b) A packet weighing not more than 4 oz. 1d. " more than 4 oz. but not exceeding 8 oz. 2d. " more than 8 oz. " 1 lb. 4d. " more than 1 lb. " 1½ lb. 6d. " more than 1½ lb. " 2 lb. 8d. and so on; twopence being charged for every additional half-pound or fraction of a half-pound. (c) The postage on book-packets must be prepaid, and that by postage-stamps affixed outside the packets or their covers. If a book-packet should be posted insufficiently prepaid, it is forwarded, charged with the deficient book postage together with an additional rate; thus, one weighing over four ounces and only bearing one penny stamp, would be charged twopence additional postage on delivery. If a book-packet is posted bearing no stamps at all, it is charged as an unpaid letter. (d) In cases where a book-packet is re-directed from one to another postal district in the United Kingdom, the same charge is made on delivery as was originally made for the postage, one penny for four ounces, twopence for a packet under eight ounces, and so on. (e) Every book-packet must be sent either without a cover, or with one open at the ends or sides, in order that the contents may be examined if it be thought necessary. For greater security, it may be tied round the ends with string, though each postmaster is empowered to remove it for the purpose of examining the packet. He will re-secure it, however, after examination. As a security against fraud, it has been found necessary to adopt precautionary measures with book-packets and newspapers: it has been demonstrated over and over again that many people will evade the Post-Office charges, cheap as they now are, if it be possible to do so.[207] When any head postmaster has grounds for suspecting an infringement of the rules of the book-post, and occasionally when he has no suspicion, he is required to open and examine packets passing through his office, in order to assure himself that the privileges of the book-post are being legitimately used.