The style of cancellation which is employed by the Department at Ottawa, where all the pre-cancelling is evidently done, is a three line one--the town name above and the province name below, separated by two parallel lines. It is applied in black ink. Evidently considerable mail is sent out under this method for the precancelled stamps are fairly common. One other variety comes from Montreal with "FOR-THIRD-CLASS-MATTER-ONLY", (a line for a word) beneath MONTREAL and separated from it by two thin parallel lines. The issuing of "Permits" was an outgrowth of the precancelled stamp system, it being in effect a _stamped cover_ fulfilling the same purpose as a cover with a precancelled adhesive affixed to it. The idea was again borrowed from the United States. The circular issued to postmasters will fully explain the methods adopted under this new plan:[253]-- POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, CANADA. OTTAWA, 2nd February, 1903. PREPAYMENT OF THIRD-CLASS (PRINTED) MATTER IN CASH. The Postmaster General in order to facilitate the posting of printed matter mailed in considerable quantities addressed for delivery at post-offices within the Dominion of Canada, has decided that prepayment of postage on same may be effected in cash (instead of postage stamps) in conformity with the following REGULATIONS. 1. Each lot of mail matter which is posted under this arrangement must be accompanied by a Permit, which has been obtained from the Postmaster of the office at which it is posted. The application must be made in writing on one of the forms provided for the purpose, in which shall be stated approximately the number of pieces it is intended to mail, and the postage on each piece at the rate of one cent per two ounces or fraction thereof. 2. The articles posted must be of an uniform weight, and must be put up in such a way as to admit of their being readily counted. The weight and number must be verified beyond doubt. Circulars to be put up in packages of 50, 75 or 100, with addressed sides faced all one way. Catalogues must be tied up in neat bundles. 3. Each article must have printed upon its wrapper or cover an impression of an official stamp, a fac-simile of which is here given, which shall be furnished by the Postmaster of the office of posting, mentioning the name of the office at which posted, and stating that the postage was prepaid in cash. [Illustration: POSTAGE PAID IN CASH At OTTAWA, Canada Authorized under Permit No. ANYBODY USING THIS STAMP WITHOUT AUTHORITY WILL RENDER HIMSELF LIABLE TO PROSECUTION ] 4. The lowest amount which may be received in payment for matter mailed under these regulations is $25.00.