The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1859-04-14
New Intcr.Islnnd Postage LAW.

The meager reports which we publish of legis-
lative proceedings do not convey to our readers
an idea of the very important changes which are
to be Incorporated into the New Code now before
the Legislature. Among these is the law i'm
posing hostages on letters and most kinds of
printed matter now sent by mail. 1t is well
known that from the first establishment of mails
among the islands, letters and all mail matter
have been carried free. This practice was insti-
tuted, no doubt. for the purpose of encouraging
correspondence among the natives, and it has been
followed with the results which were anticipated.
From the year 1916 to 1850, the custom-house
was the post-ofice, and the collector was the post
master. 1t was only in 1850 that any attempt
was made to establish a post-of6ce, which, till
1854, was located in the government printing
Office. So greatly had the business of the post
office increased during the four years, that a sep
arate office was demanded by the interests of the
public, and it was removed to its present location
in the latter year. In the amount of native cor
respondence, particularly, there has been a steady
increase.
1t is now proposed to introduce a system Of in
ter-island hostages, and the following law has
been framed and Incorporated in the Code. 1t
has passed through the House of Mobiles, but has
not been finally acted on yet by the Representa-
tives though on its first Introduction before the
latter it was stricken out by a large majority
Sec. 1913. On and after July l, 1859, the rate of
intcr-island postage shall be as follows: Two cents
for every single letter weighing less than half an
ounce; four cents for every letter weighing not less
than half an ounce or more than one ounce, and two
cents for every additional ounce.
One cent an ounce for all bound volumes; newspa-
pers mailed from the Office of publication to subscri-
bers, free; on those otherwise mailed, the rate Of
postage shall be one cent on each.
Pamphlets containing less than two hundred pages,
two cents each; and those containing over two hum
dred pages four cents each. Sealed packages at the
same rate rs letters. Drop letters, or those mailed ut
the office Of delivery, free.
All parcels containing anything besides letters or
printed matter to be excluded from the inter-island
mails, unless postage be paid on the same at the rate
of one cent an ounce or fraction of an ounce in weight.
No package to be conveyed by mail containing liquors
in glass or other articles destructive to the contents of
the mail bags. Provided, however, that the above
rates of inter-island postage shall not apply to mail
matter received from foreign countries, but only to
such as is mailed within the kingdom.
Sec. $685.. No inter-island letters shall be trans
mitted by mail unless previously stamped, and it
shall be unlawful for coasting vessels, steamers or in
dividuals to convey unstamped letters from port to
port, except letters directed to and intended for own
ers and consignees- Provided, however, that if in case
Of absence or deficiency of stamps, the post master at
the place of mailing receives an equivalent in money,
in which case it shall be his duty to mark such letters
paid when they shall be transmitted by regular course
Of mail; and provided also that the provisions Of this
and the preceding section shall not apply to the cor
Tespondence Of their Majesties the King and Queen.
His Msjesty's Ministers, or to any official correspond
ence whatever. provided the same be designated by
proper superscription.
Sec. 40O-provides that the postmaster and his
deputies may issue and sell postage stamps, and the
usual restrictions about celebrating with a view to
using again on conviction shall be guilty of felony
| and fined not to exceed $500. or hard labor for not
more than one year.
The object of this law is no doubt a wise one,
viz. to produce revenue. So far as foreigners
are concerned, we have no doubt they are willing
to pay a light postage on their letters, but an inn
position of any postage must have the effect of
diminishing foreign correspondence from what it
is at present. But the question comes up. will
not the law defeat the object which it is intended
to produce, and at the came time result in check
ing the growing correspondence Of the natives,