Australia.
Telegraphic Money Orders.

Telegraphic Money Orders were a process of transmitting money using telegraphic communication rather than the postal system. It involved sending a notification to a designated Telegraph Office and, at the same time, sending a telegram to the named recipient notifying them of the transfer.

The Money Order facet of the overall postal and telegraphic system is not addressed in detail on this site because telegrams were only an incidental and not a required component of the more detailed service offered to transfer money.

The Money Order System was introduced in New South Wales. It was augumented by the modern technology in from 1 July 1860 when notifications began to be sent over the telegraph lines.

Details provided are:

  1. background comments by Charles Todd in 1858 on the possible introduction of
    Telegraphic Money Orders in Colonial Australia;
  2. the introduction of the Money Order system in the various Colonies:
    New South Wales;
    Queensland;
    South Australia;
    Tasmania;
    Victoria;
    Western Australia.
  3. processing a Money Order in Australia post-Fedration;
    placing a request;
    the two telegrams required and dockets;
    an urgent notification;
    payment of funds.
  4. 1922 Regulations for Telegraphic Money Orders.

From 1 February, 1925, money orders could be issued in Australia for payment in countries other than Great Britain. They were advised by telegraph as far as London for onward transmission as ordinary money orders by post from London. Detailed information of the arrangement was obtainable on application at any money order office.

From 1 October 1934, it was possible to send five telegraph money orders from England to Australia in one advice telegram if the remittance did not exceed £200 from one remitter to the same payee. There was a supplementary fee of 1/- for each order.