In the year 1887 there will be two eclipses of the Sun, and two of the Moon.

1. Partial eclipse of the Moon, February 7th-8th, invisible at Greenwich.

2. Annular eclipse of the SUN, February 22nd, invisible at Greenwich.

3. Partial eclipse of the Moon, August 3rd, visible at Greenwich.

4. Total eclipse of the SUN, August loth, partly visible as a partial eclipse at Greenwich.

The Gregorian or New Style is 12 days in front of the Julian or Old Style. Thus in Russia, where the Julian Calendar is still in use, our 15th March is the 3rd March.

The year 5648 of the Jewish Era commences on September 19, 1837.

The ye r 1305 of the Mohammedan Era commences on September 19, 1887.

Ramadân (Month of Abstinence observed by the Turks, commences on May 24th, 1887.

REGISTRATION OF VOTERS

(Under 6 Vict. c. 18; 28 & 29 Vict. c. 36; 41 & 42 Vict. c. 26, and 48 Vict. c. 15.)

Overseers issue Notices respecting payment of Rates, on or before
Ownership Claims (Counties) to be sent to Overseers on or before
Claims of Lodgers already n the Register, on or before
Lists of new Voters published

Claims of omitted Voters, and Objections to be sent to Overseers on or before

Courts of Revision, between

(See also under "Parliamentary Franchise," and "Registration of Voters.")

Sept. 15 and

Oct. 31)

POSTAL RATES, MONEY ORDERS, TELEGRAPHS, &c

RATES OF POSTAGE ON INLAND LETTERS.

4 oz.

6 oz.

2d. 21d.

10 oz.

12 oz.

4d.

12 oz.

14 oz.

44d.

And so on at the rate of d. for every additional 2 oz. Letters posted unpaid are chargeable on delivery with double postage; if insufficiently paid, with double the deficiency. No letter, except it be sent to or from a Government Office, may exceed 18 in. in length, 9 in. in width, or 6 in. in depth.

NEWSPAPERS.-The prepaid postage on every inland newspaper is 1d. A packet containing two or more registered newspapers is chargeable at book post rates; but no such packet may exceed 14 lbs. in weight, 2 ft. in length, 1 ft. in width, or 1 ft. in depth.

BOOK POST.-The prepaid postage of a book-packet is d. for every 2 oz. or part of 2 oz ; but no packet may exceed 5 lb. in weight, 18 in. in length, 9 in. in width, or 6 in. in depth, unless it be sent to or from a Government Office.

PARCEL POST.-Parcels not exceeding 11 lbs. in weight are received at any Post Office for transmission between places in the United Kingdom. All parcels must be distinctly marked "Parcel Post" in the left-hand top corner. The rates of Postage are as follows:

Not exceeding 1 lb. 3d.; 2 lbs. 44d.; 3 lbs. 6d. ; 4 lbs. 74d.; 5lbs. 9d.; 6lbs. 10d.; 7lbs. 1s.

8 lbs. 1s 1d.; 9lbs. 1s. 3d.; 10 lbs. 1s. 43d.; 11 lbs. 1s. 6d.

The dimensions allowed for an Inland Parcel are-Greatest length, 3 ft. 6 in.; greatest length and girth combined, 6 ft.

MONEY ORDERS.--The Commission on Inland Money Orders is :For sums not exceeding £1

2d. For sums exceeding £4 and not exceeding £7 5d.

£2

exceeding £1 and not exceeding £2 3d.
£4 4d.

£10 6d. The Commission on Foreign Money Orders is-for sums not exceeding £2, 6d. ; £5, 1s. ; £7, 1s. 6d. ; £10, 28. The following is a list of Foreign Countries on which Orders are issued :—

Also to Constantinople, Smyrna, and Panama, and to all British Colonies and Possessions. POSTAL ORDERS.- Postal Orders for fixed sums from 1s. up to £1 are now issued at all Money Order Offices in the United Kingdom, and at Malta, Gibraltar, and Constantinople. The following are the amounts for which they are issued, and the Poundage payable in respect of each Order :

Broken amounts may be made up by affixing stamps not exceeding 5d. on the face of the Order. Postal Orders must be presented within three months of issue, or a fresh commission will be charge 1. POST OFFICE SAVINGS BANKS.-Deposits of one shilling or any number of shillings wil be received at all Money Order Offices in the United Kingdom. Not more than £30 may be deposited in one year, nor will any interest be paid when the amount of a depositor's account reaches £200, inclusive of interest. The rate of interest paid is 2 per cent., or 6d. per pound per annum.

The Post Office also undertakes the investment of small sums, for depositors in the Post Office Savings Bank, in Government Stock. The sums invested must not be less than £1; and not more than £100 Stock can be credited to an account in any year, nor more than £300 Stock in all. The following are the rates of Commission charged for investment, including receipt of Dividends :On Stock not exceeding £25

The charges on sales are the same as above; but for sums between £100 and £200 the Commission is 2s. 9d., and between £200 and £300 it is 3s. 3d.

TELEGRAPHS.-The charge for the transmission of Inland Telegrams is at the rate of 6d. for the first twelve words or part thereof-counting the names and addresses of the sender and addressee as part of the twelve words-and one halfpenny for each additional word. The amount paid for transmission covers the cost of delivery within the limit of one mile from the terminal telegraphic office; beyond that limit porterage is charged at the rate of 6d. per mile or part thereof, calculated from the boundary of free delivery.

(The Post Office Handbook, issued half-yearly, price 1d., and obtainable at all Post Offices, contains in a convenient form the principal regulations under which the business of the Department is conducted.