The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1882-04-29
CLUBBED LETTERS.

\ dubbed packet of letters is n collection of
letters made by anyone who is not an agent of the
+. Administration, and which are presented for
transmission under one single cover in view of
their being delivered by the receiver to several
other persons, without preparing the proper fee
due on each separate letter according to its weight.
This is prohibited by the Indian Post-office Act
under II specific penalty; and it would be interest
ing to study whether this example might not be
followed here, within reasonable limits for pre-
venting abuses, without encroaching on the
necessary facilities the public are entitled to.
SALE OF STAMPS BY PRIVATE PARTIES.
The increased facilities of postal communica-
tons impose on the Department the duty of
augmented accommodations for the sale of
postage stamps. Every government even studies
the ways of favoring the increase in the sale OF
stamps, and at the same time relieving the Of
fees from this work. Thus 1 find what follows
in the Union Postaie, vol. ", p. 5 Since the
Universal Postal Union, the sale of stamps has
augmented in enormous proportions. From this
followed an increased demand at Office windows,
which, combined with the fact that the public,
as n rule, has to afix himself the necessary
stamps on all correspondence Except perhaps,
registered articles) has led everywhere to the
adoption of arrangements for facilitating the
purchase of Postal stamps, and for preventing
the Post-ofices from being over-crowded by per-
sons who, merely for purchasing a few
stamps, keep the officers from attending
to the public who may have important
letters or urgent business to dispatch.
IAN u bIC SLACA Ihf dACRhSbl
the plan of entrusting the sale of postage stamps,
pos. cards and stamped envelopes to private
persons and allowing them in most cases, as u
compensation for their trouble, IA certain per-
centage, generally l per cent, sometimes more,
on the aggregate value of stamps by them sold.
1t may interest our readers to draw their at
tention as to the arrangements adopted In the
German Empire for facilitating the sale of post
age stamps without causing any expense to the
Department idest, without allowing any COM
misSiOn.)
Then follow the details of appointment of
OFFICIAL sellers of stamps, selected among
certain trades-people and shop-keepers, who
gladly undertake this sale for the sake OF
attracting the public in their shops and for
the honor of being considered as AGENTS of
the Department. This system has most success
fully worked for over seven years, and more
than 5000 persons have thus been found
gratuitously to help in the most effective way
the sale of stamps.
Here something must be done to the same eff
feet, and towards accommodating the public
when the Post-ofice Is closed, specially on
steamer days: or else a special window ought to
be kept open-as done in most countries-when
the office is closed for sorting and packing the
mails. But even this, though calling for an extra
clerk, would not answer for the facilities which
the public is entitled to for buying stamps at
late hours outside of the regular office hours l
should consequently very earnestly recommend
the trial of private stamp sellers, chosen by gov
eminent either with or without commission, or
on salary.
Anx.NT.GEs-oF PREPAYMENT OF POSTAGE.
The Paris Convention allows letters to be
forwarded even when not prepaid 81 all, ana
other mail matter also forwarded, provided some
prepayment has been affixed. 1t Is. however, the
interest of the members of the Unlon to get
every transmitted article prepaid if possible.
Therefore the different Administration are al
lowed by the Convention to make II difference IN
the treatment of correspondence, according to
whether they are or not prepaid, and 1t would be
sroper to enlighten the public on the subject.
Regularly prepaid articles are to be sent by the
earliest mail and by the most direct and rapid
routes; on the contrary, lnsuthcIentiy prepaid
correspondence can be retained for later mails
and sent by the longest and cheapest routes. Ii
other words, to elucidate practically the applica'
tons of this faculty to our condition here, pre-
paid articles will be sent by steamers, whilst IN
sufficiently prepaid matter may be kept back fol
sailing vessels.
STAMPED ENVELOPES.
Before leaving the subject of stamps, L shall
notice that most countries find an advantage II
preparing for the public, envelopes anticipated,
stamped or embossed" which are sold II
large or small quantities to suit. 1t seems there
fore. that the Hawaiian Post-ofhce might b
benefited in the same way, by issuing slmlla
envelopes. on which a noticeable advance coul
be realized on the cost of the paper. In Amer
lea the Post charges for the material, OUTSIDE Q
the value of the postage stamps, OF from TO l
% cents per 100 envelopes. according 10 sizes
CERTIFICATES OF POSTAGE.
In India to afford the public an ssurancet tina
letters and articles entrusted to Sc vants or mel
ssnqers for posting, have actually been posteo
the Post-ofices are allowed to issue certylcdt'
Of posting. which can be obtained for all ordlnar
unreeistered matter, letters, post cards an