Someone wrote the Postmaster General, quoting the above letter and asking further particulars. The reply stated[133] that "the regulations do not fix any limit to the weight of letters.... According to the regulations of this Department 'Second Class Matter' comprises newspapers and periodicals addressed to regular subscribers, (including sample copies) and that, postage being payable upon such matter at a bulk rate of 1c. per lb., the stamps required for prepayment are not affixed to the packages, but are placed in small books and cancelled. The books for this purpose are supplied by the Department to all Post Offices where they are required." This was analogous to the practice in the United States, only regular postage stamps were employed instead of special newspaper and periodical stamps. As a matter of fact the high value Jubilee stamps, which later became a drug on the market, were largely used for this purpose. Mr. King confirms the fact of large postage payments:[134] "I have seen packages originating at and passing through the post office here [Halifax] that had from $12.00 to $15.00 postage on them ... and the case can be recalled of a letter on which $40 was prepaid." [133] =ibid.=, XI: 426. [134] =Monthly Journal=, VIII: 177. The question of the unlimited validity of the Jubilee stamps for postage was also brought up, doubtless because of the temporary nature of their issue, and a special circular was issued touching this point, of which the following is a copy:[135]-- POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, CANADA. POSTAGE STAMP BRANCH. OTTAWA, 24th June, 1897. SIR--I am directed to send you for your information and guidance, the following statement, which has just been given to the press: "Enquiry having been made at the Post Office Department as to whether the Canadian Jubilee Postage Stamps would continue good as postage for a limited period only, it has been officially stated that the Jubilee stamp will remain valid for postage purposes so long as they may continue in circulation. _They will not, however, be redeemed by the Department, a distinction being drawn in this respect between them and the ordinary postage stamps._" I am Sir, Your obedient Servant, E. P. STANTON, Superintendent. [135] =Weekly Philatelic Era= XII: 210. A curious case of splits is recorded from the _Sussex, N. B., News_:[136]--