Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1898-12-23
THE NEW POSTOFFICE.
Some Facts and uresSConcerning Its
Equipment.

Equipment.
The removal of the postoffice from its
present quarters to the room In the Bat
tell block on the corner of Main street
and Merchants Row has been authorized
by the postoffice department, and the
change will be made after the close of
business on Saturday evening, the 3lst
inst.
The boxes and all the fittings andifur-
nishings of the new Office will be of the
most modern and approved style. No
pains or money has been spared to afford
an outfit thoroughly first-class in every
particular. 1t is too early yet and un.
necessary in this connection to enter into
minute description of the proposed
office. which will be in shape in a few
days to show for itself; but its patrons
will want to know In advance of its occu-
pancy something about the boxes, how
they are to be assigned, etc.
There will be 520 call boxes, 12G lock
boxes of the No. size, measuring five
by three and a quarter inches inside and
ten inches deep; "A No. , lock boxes five
by five and an eighth inches and ten
inches deep, and six lock drawers five by
ten inches and If inches deep. Sixty
three of the No. and II of the No. ,
boxes and all of the drawers will have
good key locks, while the remaining 63
No. and II No. , boxes will have key
less locks. These latter are a compare
lively new device, constructed somewhat
on the principle of the combination locks
used on safes. Those who take them
will not be under the necessity of carry
ing key or of making a key deposit.
On the other hand, there were those who
thought a key lock preferable. so both
kinds were bought.
The department has revised the rates
for box rents. which will be as follows
on and after Jan. ! Call boxes, - cents
a quarter: No. lock boxes. 35 cents a
quarter: No. lock boxes, 30 cents a
quarter, and lock drawers, - cents a
quarter. The old rates were badly
mixed and inequitable, a portion of the
small lock boxes renting for - cents a
quarter and the remainder for 30 cents,
1t is believed that the new rates are fair
and reasonable and will be generally
acceptable.
Those now having call boxes will be
assigned call boxes of the same numbers
in the new office, unless they signify
their desire for lock boxes. All who
wish lock boxes, whether they now have
them or not, are requested to hand in at
the pOstofice, on or before Wednesday
the 2Sth inst, their names, together with
statement of what size of box is de-
sired and what kind, whether key or key
! less. The lock boxes of each kind and
size will then be assigned by lot. A de.
posit of 20 cents for each key issued will
be required.
The postOtfice authorities, in fixing the
new rentals, very emphatically call at
tention to the following section of the
postal laws and regulations, which the
postmaster finds himself bound to abide
by, Notwithstanding the previous prac
tice of the office:
section 44G Use of Boxes. - \ person
renting a box may have the mail addressed
to members of his family, including visitors
and that addressed 10 his care or to the mum
Der of his box for persons who wish him TEN
porarlv to take charge of it, placed in sucl
box The employees of a firm or corporation
may, by consent OF their employers, hav,
their mail put in the cOmpanys box; but i
the box Will not contain all the mail, the boz
holder must be notified that he may rent an
other box. With these eXceptiong. the use o
a box il restricted to one family, firm or cor
poration.