To continue again with the Postmaster General's reports. We find in that for 31st March, 1856, a note to the effect that the postage on letters to France had been once more reduced, this time to 10d. currency per ¼ oz., which gave further employment to the new 10d. stamp. There is also some information concerning the registry system, but this will be treated later under that head. One item is found in the accounts to interest us:—
Rawdon, Wright, Hatch & Edson, for printing 300,000 postage stamps for Post Office Department £15.2.3.
As only 3d. stamps were received during the year, this of course refers to that value, and the price charged is found to be practically one shilling, currency, per thousand, or twenty cents American money.
In June of 1857 the Canadian Parliament made further changes in the newspaper rates, etc., according to the following Act:—
20o Vict. Cap. XXV.
An Act to Amend the Post-Office Laws of this Province.
[Assented to 10th June 1857.]
Whereas it is expedient to amend the Post-Office Laws, in the manner hereafter provided: Therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council and Assembly of Canada enacts as follows:
I. [Repeals sections I and V of 18o Vict. Cap. 79.][49]
II. Newspapers printed and published within this Province and addressed from the Office of Publication, shall be transmitted from the Post-Office where mailed to any other Post-Office in Canada, or to the United Kingdom, or to any British Colony or Possession, or to France, free of Canadian Postage.
III. Newspapers printed and published in the United Kingdom, or in any British Colony or Possession, or in France, when received in mails addressed to this Province, and directed to any place in Canada, shall pass through the Post and be delivered at the Post-Office addressed, free of Canadian postage.