[615] The postman does not rely on his memory to discover at which houses he has packets to deliver. Usually he reverses in the bundle of letters that letter for delivery next preceding a packet. A complication is thus introduced in the preparation of the short letters for delivery.
[616] 2 & 3 Vict., cap. 98 and 56 & 57 Vict., cap. 38.
[617] In recent years the stamping at the office of receipt has been to a large extent dispensed with.
[618] In addition to these principal operations there are certain minor operations. The packets are in general sorted on frames, from which they are collected at intervals and taken to the despatching table for enclosure in the mail-bags. Here the short letters, etc., are tied in bundles (as explained above), and in many cases a label is affixed, on which the name of the office of destination is written by the despatching officer. Next a letter bill is prepared. On this are entered particulars of the mail and of registered letters. The bundles of letters, etc., the loose packets, the registered letters and the letter bill (to which are tied all packets which are insufficiently prepaid and are to be charged on delivery), are enclosed in a mail-bag on which is stencilled the name of the office of destination, and in some cases particulars of the route to be followed. The bag is then tied, sealed, and sent forward. The despatch of each bag is recorded, as is the receipt of each bag from another office.
The opening of bags at the office of receipt also comprises a distinct series of operations. First the letter bill is obtained and examined. The receipt of the registered letters and charged packets is verified, and the letters and packets are withdrawn for special treatment. The bag is then emptied on the "opening table," reversed, in order to ensure that no packets are overlooked, and the contents distributed for sorting.
[619] See infra, p. [297] (from Postmaster-General's Report, 1913-14, Appx. N).
[621] See The Post Office, an Historical Summary, London, 1911, p. 11.
[622] There is practically no short-distance newspaper traffic, and it is probable that, on the average, newspaper packets undergo one more intermediate handling than packets sent at the letter rate. In the absence of precise information, no adjustment of the relative cost for sorting has been made on this account. The result will, therefore, be slightly to the advantage of the newspaper packets.
[623] It has been estimated at .075d. per letter.