Telegraph Charges.

The large telegraph business indicated by the foregoing figures is doubtless due, in no small degree, to the introduction of a uniform and low scale of charges. For the first four years a mileage rate was charged of from 2d. to 6d. per word. In 1869 this was altered to a uniform rate of 2s. 6d. for the first ten words, and 6d. for every additional five words. In 1870 the charge was reduced to 1s. for the first ten words, and 6d. for each additional five words; and in 1873 the charge was yet further reduced, ten words being allowed free of charge for address and signature, and any additional words over the first ten being rated at one penny for each word. More recently a still further reduction has been made for a certain class of messages called by the somewhat awkward term of "delayed telegrams."