New South Wales - Colonial period: 1858 - 1900.
Telegram rates.


After the first rates for sending telegrams had been established, they were continually reviewed until Federation. After 1871, there was an occasional link between the rates and the use of stamps to prepay the telegraph costs.

The years in which the major changes occurred are:

 

1858 - 1870 rates:

(a) Within New South Wales.

The first rates were dependent on the distances over which the telegraphic message was sent. The following table shows the first 10 stations - no charge being made for the date, address or signature:

N.S.W. Telegraphic Charges - from 22 September 1858
Station Sydney Parramatta Liverpool Campbelltown Berrima
First 10 words Per extra words First 10 words Per extra words First 10 words Per extra words First 10 words Per extra words First 10 words Per extra words
Sydney     1s 1d 2s 2d 2s 2d 2s 6d 2d
Parramatta 1s 1d     1s 1d 2s 2d 2s 6d 2d
Liverpool 2s 2d 1s 1d     1s 1d 2s 6d 2d
Campbelltown 2s 2d 2s 2d 1s 1d     2s 2d
Berrima 2s 6d 2d 2s 6d 2d 2s 6d 2d 2s 2d    
Goulburn 3s 3d 3s 3d 3s 3d 3s 3d 2s 2d
Yass 3s 6d 3d 3s 6d 3d 3s 6d 3d 3s 6d 3d 3s 3d
Gundagai 4s 4d 4s 3d 4s 3d 4s 3d 3s 3d
Albury 4s 4d 4s 3d 4s 3d 4s 3d 4s 3d
South Head 1s 1d 2s 2d 2s 2d 3s 3d 3s 3d
SOURCE: Sydney Morning Herald 25 September 1858.

Other stations added soon after were:

Telegram from to Station at First 10 words Each additional word
Newcastle Albury 4/- 3d.
Armidale Deniliquin 6/- 4d.
Maitland Berrima 3/6 3d.

By 1861, there were 36 Telegraph Stations in New South Wales. Each of the 630 possible pairs had a cost. To make it easier for the Operators, a wall chart (23 × 30 cm) was prepared for display showing each pair of New South Wales Stations with the relevant basic cost and the cost for additional words. The 1861 chart - split into two sections - is shown elsewhere together with the Regulations. These charts were reprinted (possibly annually) as additional Stations were included in the network. The December 1868 chart (35 × 86 cm), for example, listed 54 NSW Stations.

See also Mr Middleton.

Rates were always a topic for discussion in all jurisdictions. They were often seen as being pitched at a level affordable only by business and the rich but beyond the purview of the ordinary citizens. There were many with a social conscience in this matter especially in the Newspapers. A typical articles is the following:

"We are not going to complain of the Telegraph Department officials who are no doubt both skillful and careful, though they do make occasional mistakes of an aggravating character - horrify one with spoiling that would drive Manor mad, and puzzle one with the names of people and of places unknown respectively to fame and the maps. We have no doubt that they do their duty excellently well, under the circumstances; and no man can be expected, for a moderate salary, to prove himself either a walking biographical dictionary or a peripatetic gazetteer.

But we do want to know what the services of this large staff of public officials were retained for - the convenience of the many or of the few? Practically, we all know, the telegraph is used almost exclusively by the wealthy, for the same reason that all other luxuries are used only by the wealthy—because the poor cannot afford to pay for them. The high charge which has always been made in this country for telegraphic messages has had the effect of giving to the rich a monopoly of the luxury of the lines; and even they use it mostly for business purposes and as seldom as they can.

It is perfectly clear that this must be a losing policy. It involves a double loss—a loss to the public of the great convenience the department might easily afford, and a loss, to the department of the revenue which the public would only be too happy to pay for the convenience. Why not apply to the Telegraph the same principle which has had such marvelous results in connection with the Post Office — reduce the charge to the minimum and thus place it within the reach of all? It would be impossible, of course, to make telegraphic communication absolutely as cheap as postal, but it might be made relatively as cheap, and we think with, relatively, as good an effect. No one, rich or poor, telegraphs now, except in cases of absolute necessity and to the latter the necessity must often amount to a hardship.

But how many would avail themselves of this means of communication if the charge was reduced to such a figure as would enable all to use a convenience for the construction of which all have paid? We are in the position at present of having constructed, at great cost, a great public convenience, of which, when it is constructed, we make no use or, at any rate, only half the use that might be made of it. Reduce the charges so as to render the lines easily available to all, and the Telegraph becomes what it is now only in name, a great public institution and a great public blessing.

We are not, of course, in a position to say what the exact figure should be, but let us take the lowest and say a penny per word. Imagine the immense number of people who would use the telegraph who never before used it; and imagine to what an extent those would use it who have always used it. For every message now sent, we may safely say there would then be thousands; and for every one word in the message of the old system there would be hundreds in the message of the new. The old story of the penny postage would be repeated — the seeming sacrifice of to-day would prove the sure and handsome profit of tomorrow.

Another question in connection with our telegraphs system is, why should not a uniform rate be charged for all telegrams, irrespective of distance? It costs the department no more to send a telegram to Wagga Wagga than to Parramatta, but it costs us a great deal more to receive it. The first construction of the line was, of course, more expensive, but the advantage of the connection of the metropolis with a far outlying, but important district is surely a sufficient set-off to this item, independent of the fact that a cheaper rate would, undoubtedly be far more profitable. Electricity, like every other science, in this age of progress, is 'making giant strides'. Every mail from the old country announces some new application of the marvelous power which, to a far greater extent even than steam, is destined, probably, to revolutionize the habits of centuries. and change the whole conditions of civilised life. The form in which we, are familiar with it is really its simplest and earliest form and the work which to us appears so wonderful will one day seem mere child's play. It is quite possible that we may awake some morning and find the expensive system upon which we have spent so much to such little purpose as old-fashioned as our ladies' bonnets or as much behind the times as our Treasurers. While it is something to be proud of, we should so use it that, when the time does come for it to give way to some even more brilliant invention, we shall have something better than the mere memory of an expensive toy" (Wagga Wagga Advertiser 27 January 1869).


REDUCTION OF TELEGRAPH CHARGES.

Maitland Mercury 20 Jan 1870.

A deputation from the Chamber of Commerce, consisting of Messrs. Montefiore, Willie, Chapman, Molyneanx and Ebsworth, waited upon the Postmaster-General, this morning, for the purpose of representing to him the expediency of reducing the present telegraphic rates to a uniform charge. Mr. S. H. Lambton, the Under-Secretary of the Post Office, and Mr. Cracknell, the Superintendent of Telegraphs, were present at the interview.

Mr. Montefiore stated the object of the deputation was to urge upon the Government the necessity of reducing the telegraphic charges to the same level as the charges of other colonies. He pointed out that in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, all messages were sent at a uniform rate of 1s. for ten words and he contended that New South Wales ought to follow the example of the sister colonies. He also stated, that in India there was a uniform charge of one rupee for each message.

Mr. Cracknell produced a statement of the revenue received from the telegraph in South Australia, during the years 1866 to 1869 inclusive, from which it appeared that since the charges had been reduced, there had not only been a decrease in the revenue, but a decrease in the number of messages transmitted. Mr. Willis pointed out that the reason of the loss was the reduction applied to messages sent within the colony alone. If the reduction were extended to intercolonial messages, there would be a great increase in the number of telegrams sent and also in the revenue derived therefrom.>

At the same time, the statement produced by Mr. Cracknell showed that the revenue in 1869, after the reductions had been made, was considerably in excess of the revenue received from the same source in 1866. Mr. Chapman contended that a slight loss would be more than counterbalanced by the benefits the reduction would confer upon the community generally. Mr. Cracknell was of opinion that a reduction to the uniform rate of one shilling for each message of ten words would cause a considerable decrease in the revenue. He said the Government would have to put up new wires, as the circuits were now all overloaded and the clerks had to remain late in the offices to get through the business. The expense would be much greater here than in the other colonies as the lines in Victoria and South Australia were very much shorter than the lines here; the number of the messages sent from the large towns might be increased, but there would be no increase in the number of messages sent from the small towns throughout the colony. The reduction would only reduce the revenue from those places.

He pointed out that this scheme had been tried in England, and the result had been almost ruinous to small companies while the large companies had been severely injured. With regard to India, he said that country was divided into sections and the charges were different in the different sections. He thought a reduction in the present rates of telegraphic charges should be made but that we should not go to an extreme. If the charge were made as low as one shilling and it were found too low, we should never be able to raise it again. Mr. Montefiore said that when Mr. Rowland Hill introduced the penny postage, if such an argument as that of Mr. Cracknell had been considered, the system would not have been initiated. There was a loss at first but it was soon pulled up and the advantages to the community soon outbalanced the loss. He pointed out that the lines being formed here, the reduction of price, and consequent increase of work, would not lead to greater expense. Mr Cracknell said the working expenses would be increased.

Mr. Chapman said there was not one merchant in Sydney, who for one message he now sent to Melbourne, would not, if the charge were reduced, send half a dozen. He submitted also that the telegraph offices, at least in Sydney and Melbourne, should be kept open, if not all night, at any rate for a longer period than they now were. Mr. Cracknell agreed with that but said the Government could not afford to do it or they would have to increase the staff. He also stated that it would be better to increase the number of words in a message than to decrease the price. Mr. Egan said he had had the expediency of doubling the number of words in a message for some time under consideration and he was exceedingly obliged to the deputation for bringing the subject so prominently under the notice of the Government. As it was, however, a matter affecting the revenue, he could not deal with it as he might deal with any mere departmental question; but he should bring the subject before the Government and as soon as the Government arrived at a proper decision, he should inform the deputation of it. His own opinion was that there should be a reduction and he should give that part of the scheme his strongest support. He was quite sure his colleagues would give the subject that fair consideration which its importance deserved.

After thanking the Minister for his courtesy, the deputation withdrew.

(b) Inter-Colonial rates.

As for the intra-Colonial rates. most inter-Colonial rates were also based on distance but with the emphasis more on regions. There was clearly a complicated formula (perhaps moderated with politics) to determine the rates which have been scanned from the same wall charts used for the intra-colonial rates and included elsewhere for Victoria and for Queensland.

 

8 August 1870 - 1873.

(a) Within New South Wales.

Radius of region around a station First 10 words Each additional word.
less than 35 miles 1/- 1d.
over 35 miles 2/- 1d.
     

(b) Inter-colonial rates.

Telegram from to Station in First 10 words Each additional word
All stations in NSW except
Albury and Deniliquin.
Victoria 2/- 3d.
All stations in NSW except
Euston and Wentworth.
South Australia 5/- 4d.
All stations in NSW. Brisbane and the southern
section of Queensland
4/- 3d.
All stations in NSW. Rockhampton and central
section of Queensland.
6/- 4d
All stations in NSW Northern section of Queensland 8/- 4d.
All stations in NSW. Tasmania
(land line only)
8/- 4d (land line only)
  Tasmania - by cable Additional 5 words or any portion of
5 words: 2/-

Source: SMH 8 August 1870 and Maitland Mercury 9 Aug 1870.

There was one brief and restricted change to these rates. The Sydney Royal Easter Show was first held in 1823. It has always been the responsibility of the Royal Agricultural Society of N.S.W. The site was at Parramatta Park, 24 km (14.9 mi) west of the town of Sydney and it was originally intended to display horses, cattle, sheep, pig and poultry. In 1869, the event moved from Parramatta to Prince Alfred Park. On 14 March 1872, the Evening News informed its readers that "to facilitate communications between the committee of the Agricultural Society, into whose hands the gathering of exhibits for the display in Prince Alfred Park, the Government have granted the free use of the telegraph wires throughout the colony. The Exhibition of 1872 will, like that of 1870, embrace all arts and manufac tures. A new and important feature is introduced viz., all processes and machinery used to save manual labour. Of this we shall give a more lengthy description in a future issue".

1 November 1873 - 1884.

(a) within New South Wales.

A special suburban rates was also introduced for telegrams sent within 5 miles within Sydney. On 30 September, 1873, the following announcement appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald:

REDUCTION OF TELEGRAPH RATES:

It is hereby notified that his Excellency the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council, has approved of the transmission of Telegraph Messages between any one and another of the Branch Offices at William Street, South-Head Road, Parramatta Street, Paddington, Balmain and Newtown for delivery within the boundaries of the place in which the Branch Office is situated, or between any one of the Branch Offices and the Head Office for delivery within the limits of the City, at the following rates, viz:

Sixpence. (6d) for the first ten (10) words, and one penny (1d.) for every additional word.

The rates for Telegraph Messages to and from the Branch Offices and places beyond Sydney to be the same as those now charged between the Head Office and those places.

HENRY PARKES

Each of the Offices nominated in the above were also announced on the same day for business including Telegraphic business: South-Head Road (near Crown Street); William Street, Woolloomooloo at the corner of Forbes Street; Parramatta Street near the corner of Newtown Road; Paddington at the corner of Elizabeth Street and Old South Head Road; Balmain in the present (1873) post-office premises; Newtown in the present post-office premises.

In addition, messages sent within the Colony were charged at 1/- for 10 words and 1d for each additional word.

It took until November 1878 before pressures to extend these reduced rates developed. The Australian Town and Country Journal of 23 November 1878 reported that a deputation had met with the Postmaster General and requested that, "on the ground that as Newtown, Paddington, Randwick, Redfern, St. Leonards, Waverley and other suburbs had been granted a reduction of 50 per cent, on their telegrams, the same concession ought to be made for Ashfield, Burwood, Ryde, Hunter's Hill and other suburbs. Mr. Burns said he would do in this as in other matters - get a return compiled, and ascertain to what degree the revenue was likely to be affected by the proposed reduction, and if it was not likely there would be much of a loss he would concede it; but if there was likely to be a loss he would endeavour to pick out the towns that it could be extended to without much loss to the revenue. The deputation thanked Mr. Burns and the interview terminated".

(b) Inter-colonial rates (from 1 November 1873).

Telegram from to Station in First 10 words Each additional word
New South Wales Victoria 2/- 2d.
  South Australia (as far as Port Augusta) 2/- 2d.
  Queensland (as far as Bowen) 2/- 2d.
  Northern Queensland 8/- 4d.
  Tasmania (land charges) 7/- 3d
  Tasmania (cable charges)   2/- for every additional five words.

Source: SMH 29 October 1873.

Press messages: half of the above rates.

NSW-Victoria Border rates.

On 4 September 1878, the rates for border towns was revised. From that date, the single rate of 1s. per ten words, for the transmission of telegraph messages, between Albury, Corowa, Howlong, Moana, Wodonga, Wahgunyah and Echuca, border towns of New South Wales and Victoria, and any station in either colony, came into operation.

 

NSW-Victoria-South Australia.

On 26 July 1878, the Northern Argus was one on a number of newspapers carrying the following information:

"It is stated that the Victorian Government have approved of the following arrangements in connection with the electric telegraph between the colonies of Victoria, New South Wales and South Aastralia, to take effect from 1st July:

1. After office hours, the charge for intercolonial messages (Press and private), with the exception of English mail reports, to be 50 per cent on the ordinary rates.
On Sundays the minimum charge for private messages to be as follows: For 10 words and under, 6s; for each additional word, 4d.

2. Collect messages to be guaranteed by sending station and should the receiving station be unable to collect thereon, the sending station is to be forthwith advised and checked without further communication. This is not to apply to Collect messages sent in answer to messages containing the words 'Reply Paid' ".

 

1884 - 1896.

(a) within New South Wales.

6d Sydney suburban rate (less than 15 miles)

The Sydney Morning Herald of 17 January 1884 notes the first suggestion of an URGENT RATE for telegrams in New South Wales:

""An urgent telegraphic rate" is the subject of a letter we have received from a correspondent, who points out that this system is in force in New Zealand, also in Queensland, in whose footsteps we have followed with regard to the "delayed rate". The system of "an urgent telegraphic rate" is that by tendering the Department an additional rate beyond that charged for ordinary messages, the message thus paid for will take precedence, and be at once despatched. Our correspondent states: "As arrangements now are, if a person wants a message sent through at once, say to catch a mail leaving an up-country town in a few minutes, or to bring someone down by a certain train, it is necessary to solicit the clerk in charge to do a favour, which, if he grants, as very likely he will, he does so at the risk of being brought to book for breaking one of the most stringent rules, and to the delay of other telegrams handed in earlier and waiting their turn of despatch. If, however, standing upon the order of his rules and regulations he refused, the customer would probably complain to the head of tho service and, if he were a person of some importance, the clerk would probably receive a rap over the knuckles". The writer is confident that, if this system of extra rates for urgent telegrams were adopted, the Telegraph Department revenue would be considerably increased, as the number of urgent telegrams would be large and increasing".

(b) Inter-colonial rates.

At the Postal Conference held in Sydney in May 1883, it was agreed (on page 10 of the report) in relation to Intercolonial Telegraph Rates that:

The Conference having considered the subject of reduction of Intercolonial Telegraph Rates, the Colonies of New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania agree to the following:

A message of ten words transmitted over the land lines of two Colonies ....... 1/-

For each additional word ................................................................................... 2d

A message of two words transmitted by many lines of three Colonies .............. 1/6

For each additional word ................................................................................... 3d

To be divided in equal shares between the Colonies performing the service.

Submarine cable charges additional in all cases where the cable is used.

The Sydney Morning Herald of 24 May 1884 reported that, in the Legislative Assembly the previous day, the Postmaster-General noted that "Effect has not yet been given to the proposed reduction of intercolonial telegraphic rates because ... it will be necessary to construct an additional wire between Sydney and Melbourne to meet the increased business expected. The wire has not yet been put up, but may be in two or three months time ... (the changes also include) telegraphic messages being sent by post without extra charge".

REDUCED TELEGRAPH RATES BETWEEN VICTORIA AND NEW SOUTH WALES.
Melbourne, July 6.
South Australian Register 7 July 1885.

A return has been prepared showing the results which have followed the reduction from 2s. to 1s. for the transmission of ten word telegrams from Victoria to New South Wales. During the half-year ending June 30, 1884, the number of telegrams from Victoria to New South Wales was 58,547, while for the half-year ending June 30, 1885, the number was 76,164 - an increase of 17,617 in the number of messages or 30 per cent, but a falling off in the revenue of nearly 11 per cent. The receipts for the first half-year before being £8,212 6s. and for the first half of the current year £7,309 16s. 9d. - the decrease being £302 9s. 3d. This result is considered satisfactory and equal to expectations.

Not very dissimilar results followed the reduction in 1873 from 3s. to 2s. In that year, the number of messages was 36,844, which in 1874 increased to 48,624, while the revenue fell from £7,686 13s. 1d. to £7,024 3s. 8d. The business then increased steadily at the rate of 14 per cent per year till in 1884. The revenue from New South Wales messages reached £16,948 15s. 1d. against £7,024 3s. 8d. in 1874.

A new ruling was Gazetted to come into effect as from 1 October 1885:

"Telegraph messages must be pre-paid by postage stamps; and this, it is claimed will be of great public benefit. Hitherto the time of the various offices was considerably taken up in checking accounts with other stations; but under the new arrangement all the time will be given to attending to the public. A good deal of trouble and confusion through the practice of having "collect" telegrams (which has never been a recognised rule of the department except in the case of a distressed person) will be avoided and the system generally will be so much simplified that greater attention to public business can be given and more general satisfaction will be the consequence".

A supplementary report on the NSW-Victoria rate reduction was contained in the 1886 Annual Report of Victoria noted:

"The reduction in the telegraph rates to New South Wales from 2/- to I/- for the first 10 words resulted in an increase of business to the extent of 39%. On the other hand, the revenue from this source decreased from £16,948 to £14,7S0, being a falling-off of 13%. A similar result was experienced on the introduction (in Victoria) of six-penny telegrams. The business increased 41% but the revenue decreased 4½%".