New South Wales - Interim period: 1901-1917.
Ordinary rate transmission form: NI-TO-4.

  
General characteristics:

Heading and notes: Form number E.T. No. 2.
Standardised interim heading.
Message area: 6 lines of five unnumbered boxes.
Reverse side: Blank.
Colours (text & form): Black on cream.
Size of form overall: 173 × 207 mm.
Distinctive characteristics of this form:

Blank transmission forms could be collected from the Telegraph Offices and counters singly or in bulk. The latter created some difficulties and so the following notice was included in the Post Office Monthly Circular for October 1906:

Sale of Blank Telegram forms:

With reference to the arrangement under which blank telegram forms are sold to the public in lots of 100 at a cost of fourpence, it has been decided that, in future, instead of disposing of the forms loose, they will be wired together in pads of 100 for sale at the price named. A debit will be made of the number of pads issued to Post-Masters, who will be held responsible for their disposal. Supplies of these pads may now be obtained through the Distributor of Stamps.

NI-TO-4 NI-TO-4.
Unused transmission form.

Characteristics:

  • heading for PMG is in slightly smaller font, is bold and just extends above end boxes below;

Has two arcs following the schedule number and so a second printing (perhaps of that contract number).

Reverse has an interesting address to a Corporal Wood, A.J. in the 3rd Battalion in Egypt.

Details of use and rarity.

Form
sub-number		 Schedule number Earliest recorded date Rarity rating
TO-4 St 3451.   RRRR