The first set of Regulations governing the implementation of the telegraphic network were released at about the same time as the first line from Brisbane to Ipswich was being finalised.
Brisbane. 27th March 1861.
His Excellency the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council, has been pleased to approve of the following regulations under which telegraphic business may be transacted in the Colony of Queensland.
Regulations
1. All messages will be held strictly confidential.
2. Messages must be written with ink in a legible manner, properly dated, and have a full and distinct address. The signature of the sender will also be required in authentication of each message. No charge will be made for date, address or signature.
3. All ordinary messages to be paid for before transmission, except in cases of unusual emergency or replies to interrogatory messages bearing the words "Reply paid for". Press reports to be paid for at Receiving Station on delivery.
4. Cipher may be used in the transmission of messages at 60 per cent above the ordinary rates but cipher words most not consist of more than two syllables.
5. To insure greater accuracy, it is requested that all numbers may be expressed in words at full length and repeated in figures. Charge will be made for the words only although the figures also will be transmitted.
6. Messages will be transmitted in the order of their reception with the following exceptions in which cases precedence will be given viz: — Messages on the service of the State, sickness, death or sudden emergency.
7. When an immediate answer is required, the words 'Reply paid for, answer immediately' should be appended to the message. Messengers delivering will, in such cases, be instructed to wait five minutes for reply.
8. Every precaution will be taken to insure the accuracy of all messages transmitted whether important or otherwise. If desired, messages of consequence can be repeated from stations at which received, to stations from which originally sent, on payment of an additional half rate, but no responsibility will be undertaken, nor any claim for compensation entertained for any errors in transmission, or delay in delivery of messages, whether repeated or unrepeated nor for non-transmission or non-delivery of messages arising from any cause whatsoever.
9. Messages will be delivered free within one mile of the station to which transmitted. Charges for porterage, horse or boat hire will be made beyond such distance, payable by the persons to whom messages are addressed.
10. Originals of messages transmitted and duplicates of messages received, after being kept for one year, will be burned in in the presence of the officers in charge of Stations. 11. In the event of any interruption of the working of the Electric Telegraph by which messages may be unusually delayed, it will be optional with the senders to withdraw such messages before transmission, and receive back amounts paid.
Until communication is established with New South Wales, offices will be open (Sundays excepted) from 10 am. to 5 p.m., daily, closing on Saturdays at 1 pm.
The Queensland Times of 22 July 1869 reported on a challenge to one of the clauses of the Act from which the above regularions, in part, are based. It was a critical challenge and one all Telegraph Acts throughout the world contained:
"On Tuesday, says the Courier, a rather important point connected with telegraphic communication was brought before Mr. Justice Lutwyche "in insolvency" in the estate of David Palmer. The telegraph station-master at Bowen, Mr. Brand, had been subpoenaed to produce certain telegrams sent by Mr. Wilson of Brisbane and, on being requested by counsel to produce them, declined to do so on the ground that he was bound by Act of Parliament not to divulge the contents or substance of any private telegram.
After hearing the arguments of Mr. Pring, in relation to the application for their production, and of Mr. Blake, who opposed it, his Honor decided that the witness must produce the telegrams on the ground that otherwise the wire might be abused with impunity by persons in the committal of heinous crime. He stated, however, that as the Court ordered the witness to produce the document, he would not be held to have divulged the contents of a telegram within the meaning of the section of the Act of Parliament in question. The witness thereupon produced the telegrams.
The Act referred to is the Electric Telegraphs Act, the 9th section of which is as follows: Every officer, clerk, or other person employed in working any line, who shall divulge the contents or substance of any private or secret dispatch, message or other communication, transmitted or intended to be transmitted by any such line shall, on conviction by any two justices, be liable for every such offence to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds or to be imprisoned, with or without hard labour, for any period not exceeding six months."