Secretaries of

of the said in part recited Acts passed in the Fourth and Forty- Clerks in the second Years of the Reign of His late Majesty King George Offices of the the Third, and of any other Acts as authorize and empower State, and any Clerks in the Offices of His Majesty's Principal Secretaries Officers in the of State, and any Officers in the Office of His Majesty's Post- Post Office, to master General, to send or receive printed Votes and Proceed frank printed ings in Parliament and printed Newspapers by the Post, free of Newspapers, &c. repealed. the Duty of Postage, shall be and the same is and are hereby repealed; and the said Privilege of franking as heretofore enjoyed by the said Officers and Clerks shall be and the same is hereby wholly annulled.

II. And whereas by an Act passed in the Sixth Year of the So much of 'Reign of His late Majesty King George the Fourth, intituled 6 G. 4. c. 68. An Act to regulate the Conveyance of printed Votes and Proceed- as relates to Conveyance of ings in Parliament and printed Newspapers by Packet Boats Newspapers by ' between Great Britain and Ireland and the British Colonies, and Packet Boats also in the United Kingdom, printed Newspapers were autho- to and from 'rized to be sent by Packet Boats from Great Britain and the Colonies Ireland to any of His Majesty's Colonies and Possessions repealed. beyond the Seas, at a Rate of One Penny Halfpenny each, and Newspapers printed within His Majesty's Colonies and Possessions beyond the Seas were authorized to be sent by Packet Boats to Great Britain and Ireland, at a Rate of Three-pence each: And whereas it is expedient to authorize the Conveyance of printed Newspapers by Packet Boats between the United Kingdom and His Majesty's Colonies free of Postage;' be it therefore further enacted, That from and after the First Day of October One thousand eight hundred and thirty-four so much of the said in part recited Act passed in the Sixth Year of the Reign of His late Majesty King George the Fourth as relates to the Postage and Conveyance of printed Newspapers by Packet Boats to and from His Majesty's Colonies and Possessions beyond the Seas shall be and the same is hereby repealed.

the Colonies.

III. And be it further enacted, That from and after the said Newspapers First Day of October One thousand eight hundred and thirty-four to and from it shall and may be lawful to and for His Majesty's Postmaster General for the Time being, and his Deputy and Deputies in Great Britain and Ireland, to receive at any General Post Office printed Newspapers liable to the Stamp Duty, and duly stamped for Conveyance by Packet Boat from the United Kingdom to any of His Majesty's Colonies and Possessions beyond the Seas, and to forward and convey the same accordingly free of Postage; and for His Majesty's Postmaster General and his Deputy and Deputies in His Majesty's Colonies and Possessions beyond the Seas to receive Newspapers printed and published within such Colonies or Possessions for Conveyance by Packet Boats to Great Britain or Ireland, and to deliver the same by the General Post within the United Kingdom free of the Duty of Postage.

IV. And be it further enacted, That from and after the said Newspapers to First Day of October One thousand eight hundred and thirty-four and from it shall and may be lawful for His Majesty's Postmaster General Foreign Parts. for the Time being, and his Deputy and Deputies in Great Britain and Ireland, to receive at any General Post Office printed Newspapers

K 2

Newspapers liable to the Stamp Duty, and duly stamped for Con-
veyance by Packet Boats from Great Britain and Ireland to any
Port out of the United Kingdom, other than His Majesty's Colo-
nies and Possessions, and to forward the same accordingly free of
the Duty of Postage, and that Newspapers printed in any King-
dom or State beyond the Seas, other than His Majesty's Colonies
and Possessions, and brought into the United Kingdom by Packet
Boats, shall and may (if printed in the Language of the Foreign
Kingdom or State from which the same shall be forwarded, but
not otherwise), be delivered by the General Post within the
United Kingdom free of the Duty of Postage: Provided always,
that before any Newspapers to or from any Foreign Port shall be
permitted to be conveyed or delivered free of Postage, under the
Provisions of this Clause, satisfactory Proof shall have been laid
before the Postmaster General for the Time being that printed
Newspapers sent from Great Britain or Ireland, addressed to
any Person or Place in any Foreign Kingdom or State, are
allowed to pass by the Post within any such Foreign Kingdom or
State free of Postage, and also that Newspapers addressed to any
Person or Place in Great Britain or Ireland from any such
Foreign Kingdom or State are allowed to pass by the Post within
such Foreign Kingdom or State free of Postage; and it is hereby
further declared, that as to every Newspaper put into any
General Post Office within Great Britain or Ireland for Convey-
ance by Packet Boat, addressed to any Person or Place in any
Foreign Kingdom or State in which printed Newspapers from
Great Britain or Ireland shall not be allowed to pass by the Post
free of Postage, it shall be lawful for His Majesty's Postmaster
General for the Time being (until such satisfactory Proof shall
be laid before him as aforesaid), and his Deputy and Deputies,
for the Use of His Majesty, His Heirs and Successors, to demand,
have, receive, and take for the Conveyance of every such printed
Newspaper to any Foreign Port the Sum of Two-pence, to be
paid when the same shall be put into the Post Office; and as to
every Newspaper addressed to Great Britain or Ireland, and
brought into the United Kingdom from any Foreign Kingdom or
State in which such printed Newspapers shall not be allowed to
pass by the Post free of Postage, it is hereby declared that it
shall be lawful for His Majesty's Postmaster General for the Time
being (until such satisfactory Proof shall be laid before him as
aforesaid), and his Deputy and Deputies, to and for the Use of
His Majesty, His Heirs and Successors, to demand, have, receive,
and take for the Conveyance of every such Newspaper by the
General Post the Sum of Two-pence on Delivery thereof by
such Post to the Person to whom the same shall be addressed,
over and above and in addition to any Postage charged thereon
by any Foreign Post Office, provided every such Paper be printed
and published in the Language of the Kingdom or State from
which the same shall be forwarded.
render

V. And whereas Circumstances may arise which may
it expedient again to impose and demand the said respective
Rates of Two-pence by the said lastly herein-before mentioned
Clause granted, after the same shall have ceased to be de-
manded by reason of such satisfactory Proof having been laid

'before

'before the Postmaster General for the Time being as aforesaid;' now be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful for His Majesty's Postmaster General for the Time being, by and with the Consent of the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury, or any Three or more of them, at any Time after such satisfactory Proof shall have been laid before His Majesty's Postmaster General for the Time being as aforesaid, again to impose, demand, and receive the said respective Rates of Two-pence for the Conveyance of any such printed Newspaper to any Foreign Port, and on the Delivery of any such printed Newspaper from any Foreign Kingdom or State, whenever it shall be deemed expedient so to do.

VI. And be it further enacted, That no Newspaper shall be Newspapers sent by the Post under the Provisions of this present Act, unless to be sent in every such Paper be sent without a Cover, or in a Cover open at the Sides, Covers, open at the Sides, and that there be no Words or Communication &c. printed on such Paper after the same shall have been published, nor any Writing or Marks upon such printed Paper or the Cover thereof, other than the Name and Address of the Person to whom it is sent, and so that there be no Paper or Thing enclosed or concealed in or with such printed Paper or the Cover thereof, nor any printed Words or Communication on the Cover thereof.

Publication.

VII. And be it further enacted, That every printed Newspaper Newspapers to be sent out of the United Kingdom under the Provisions of to be posted this Act shall in all Cases be put into a Post Office or Receiving within Seven Office in Great Britain or Ireland within Seven Days next after Days after the Day on which the same shall be published, the Day of Publication to be ascertained by the Date of such Paper; and in case any such Paper shall be put into any Post Office at any Time after the Expiration of such Seven Days, it shall and may be lawful for His Majesty's Postmaster General or his Deputy or Deputies, at his or their Discretion, either to detain any such Paper or to forward the same by the Post, charged with the full Duty of Letter Postage according to the Rates now established by Law.

Persons who have removed

Charge.

VIII. And be it further enacted, That in case any Person to Newspapers whom any printed Newspaper brought into the United Kingdom addressed to under the Provisions of this Act shall be directed shall have removed from or quitted the Place to which such Newspaper may be reshall be addressed prior to the Delivery thereof at such Place, directed, and any such Newspaper, on arriving or Delivery at the Place of its sent to them Address, shall and may (provided the same shall not have been free of extra opened or used, but not otherwise) be re-directed, and forwarded by the Post to such Person at any other Place within the United Kingdom, free of any Charge for such extra Conveyance; but if any such Newspaper shall have been opened or used, the same shall, on re-direction, be charged and chargeable with the Rate of a Single Letter, from the Place at which such Newspaper shall be re-directed or re-posted to the Place at which it shall be ultimately delivered.

IX. And whereas under and by virtue of the said in part ' recited Acts of the Fourth and Forty-second Years of the Reign

Postmaster
General, with

of King George the Third, and the Privilege thereby conferred, Consent of the certain unstamped Publications have from Time immemorial Treasury, may

K 3

• been

contract with

Editors, &c.
of unstamped
Publications
for forwarding
the same by
Post, on Pay-
ment of a yearly

Sum for each
Publication.

Power to examine and search printed Papers sent in Covers open at the Sides.

6

'been sent by the General Post from London to Places within the United Kingdom, at certain small annual Charges, and much Injury and Inconvenience may arise to the Public by the Repeal of such Privilege in regard to the said Publications;' be it therefore enacted, That it shall be lawful for His Majesty's Postmaster General for the Time being, and he is hereby authorized and empowered, with the Consent and Approbation of the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury, or any Three or more of them, from Time to Time to contract, compound, and agree with the Editor, Proprietor, or Publisher of any such unstamped Publication as hath hitherto been sent by the Post under the Privilege aforesaid, for forwarding the same by the General Post within the United Kingdom, on Payment to His Majesty's Post Office Revenue yearly of such a Sum of Money for each such Publication as may from Time to Time be agreed on, so as every such Publication be sent without a Cover, or in a Cover open at the Sides, and there be no Words or Communication printed on any such Publication after the same shall have been published, nor any Writing or Marks upon such Publication or the Cover thereof, other than the Name and Address of the Person to whom it is sent, and so that there be no Paper or Thing enclosed or concealed in or with any such Publication or the Cover thereof, nor any printed Words or Communication on the Cover thereof; and the forwarding of such Publications by the Post shall be subject to all such other Regulations as the Postmaster General may deem expedient.

X. And be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful for His Majesty's Postmaster General and his Deputy and Deputies, or any of the Officers employed under him or them respectively, to examine and search any printed Paper or Packet which under the Provisions of this present Act shall be sent by the Post without a Cover, or in a Cover open at the Sides as aforesaid, in order to discover whether any Words or Communication have or has been printed on such Paper after the same was published, or whether there is any Writing or Mark upon such printed Paper or the Cover thereof other than the Name and Address of the Person to whom it is sent, or whether there is any Paper or Thing enclosed or concealed in or with such printed Paper or the Cover thereof, or whether there are any printed Words or Communication on the Cover thereof, or whether the Papers brought into the United Kingdom from any Foreign Kingdom or State shall be printed and published in the Language of the Kingdom or State from which they shall have been forwarded; and also, in order to discover whether the Newspapers printed and posted in the United Kingdom shall be duly stamped, and in case any Words or Communication shall be found to have been printed on any such Paper after the same was published, or any Writing or Mark shall be found on any such printed Paper or the Cover thereof other than the Name and Address of the Person to whom it is sent, or any other Paper or Thing shall be found to be enclosed or concealed in or with such printed Paper or the Cover thereof as aforesaid, or any printed Words or Communication shall be found upon the Cover thereof, or in case any Newspaper brought into the United Kingdom from any Foreign Kingdom or

State

State shall not be printed and published in the Language of the Kingdom or State from which the same shall have been forwarded, the whole of every such Packet addressed and delivered to any Person within the United Kingdom shall be charged with Treble the Duty of Letter Postage according to the Rates now established by Law; and as to every such Paper or Packet going out of the United Kingdom it shall be lawful for the Postmaster General or his Deputy or Deputies, at his or their Discretion, either to detain any such Paper or Packet or to forward the same by the Post, charged with the Duty of Letter Postage; and in case any Newspaper printed and posted in the United Kingdom and sent by the Post under the Provisions of this Act shall appear not to have been duly stamped, the same shall be stopped and sent to the Commissioners of Stamps either at London or Dublin, as the Case may be.

XI. And be it further enacted, That all printed Papers to be conveyed by the Post under the Provisions of this Act shall be delivered to the Postmaster General, or his Deputy or Deputies, at such Hours in the Day and under all such Regulations as the Postmaster General for the Time being shall in his Discretion from Time to Time appoint.

any

Delivery of
Papers to
General.

Postmaster

XII. And be it further enacted, That nothing herein contained Not to oblige shall be construed to oblige any Person or Persons to send Persons to send printed Newspapers to or from Places beyond the Seas through Newspapers His Majesty's Post Office, but that it shall and may be lawful Office. for all Persons to send such printed Newspapers to and from Places beyond the Seas in any Manner they may find practicable

or convenient.

through the

General, with

Concurrence of the Treasury, may determine any Dispute or Question as

XIII. And be it further enacted, That in all Cases in which Postmaster any Dispute, Controversy, or Question shall arise whether any printed Paper sent or offered to be sent by the Post, under the Provisions of this Act or any other Act relating or referring to the Post Office, is to be considered and deemed a Newspaper within the Intent and Meaning of this Act or any other Act relating or referring to the Post Office, or whether any such printed Paper is entitled to the Exemptions and Privileges of Newspaper so far as to authorize the Transmission of the by the Post free of Postage, the Question shall be referred to the Judgment and Determination of the Postmaster General for the Time being, whose Decision, with the Concurrence of any Three or more of the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury, shall be final and conclusive on all Persons whomsoever.

a

same

XIV. And be it further enacted, That the several Rates and Duties herein-before granted shall be paid from Time to Time into the Hands of the Receiver General for the Time being in England and Ireland of the Revenue of the Post Office, who shall pay the same (the necessary Charges for collecting, paying, and accounting for the same being first deducted) into the Receipt of His Majesty's Exchequer, on such Days and Times, and in such Manner as the Rates and Duties of Postage by any Act or Acts in force at or immediately before the passing of this Act are directed to be paid; and the said Duties so to be paid into the said Receipt as aforesaid shall be carried to and made Part of K 4

the

to what shall be deemed a Newspaper.

Rates to be carried to and form Part of

the Consolidated Fund.