5. Leather bags should, as a general rule, be used on stage routes.
On the outlying routes, where the mails are exposed to the weather, waterproof canvass bags should be used.
ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW ROUTES OR ALTERATIONS IN ROUTES ALREADY IN OPERATION.
1. In making reports on proposed new mail routes, or alterations of existing routes--state clearly--
Additional cost per annum to be incurred;
Present revenue of the offices to be served;
Increased revenue which it is estimated would result from proposed additional mail facilities;
Give tables also of the present and proposed routes, showing offices served and intermediate distances. State, also, dates on which contracts which it is proposed to discontinue would terminate provided previous notice were not given by the Postmaster General.
2. With each report send a sketch or tracing from the Post Office Map of your Division, showing all the offices affected by the proposed arrangements, denoting the lines of existing routes which it is recommended should be discontinued in blue, and the new routes which it is recommended should be established in red.
3. All changes in Mail Services should--except in very special cases--take effect on the first day of each mouth.
1. For every Mail Service there should be a written contract or memorandum of agreement, which should be made out and executed in triplicate, one copy being for the Department at Ottawa, one for the contractor, and one for yourself.
2. All contracts for Mail Services should be made so as to terminate at the end of a quarter, or if that is not possible, at the end of a month.
3. The contracts terminating at the end of each quarter should be entered in the record of expiration of contracts, a page or two pages in this book as may be required, being appropriated for each quarter.
4. _Six months_ previous to the expiration of the contracts, the usual printed circular should be issued to the Postmaster at each of the termini of the several routes, asking whether any improvements can be made in the service.
5. Should any change be desirable a report should be made thereon to the Postmaster General, at least one month previous to the preparation of the notices inviting tenders for a new contract.