Postmaster General Clevelyn Crichlow yesterday moved to clear up confusion over a recent increase in postal rates and new local rebates.

The postal service in a press release on July 31 stated that as of August 1 postage rates were to increase by five cents.

It also noted that a 20-gram local letter was to increase from 20 cents to 25 cents.

And it stated that the cost of airmailing 20-gram first-class letters to the US, Canada and West Indies was to be 65 cents. The same mail going to the UK and Europe was to increase to 75 cents and to 85 cents for letters destined for Africa, Australia and the Middle East.

But it turned out that those were the old rates, leaving post office customers either confused or unaware of the increase.

In fact, on August 6 Mr. Crichlow sent out another press release warning the public that any mail which arrived at post offices without the correct postage would be returned to the sender.

But when contacted yesterday, Mr. Crichlow admitted that the post office had erred and he said it will be lenient with customers.

Mr. Crichlow noted that a corrected-version of the press release on rate increases was sent out later on July 31.

But The Royal Gazette did not receive it.

According to the corrected release -- which was received yesterday -- it now cost 30 cents to mail a 20-gram letter locally.

Those sending letters which weigh ten grams by air mail will have to pay 65 cents per letter if it is going to the US, Canada or the West Indies; 80 cents if it is going to the UK or Europe; and 90 cents if it is going to Africa, Australia, Asia or the Middle East.

Mr. Crichlow also noted that there was "a lot of confusion'' about post office rebates.

"We are giving discounts for local mail for the first time,'' he said. "For example, if they (customers) have 500 pieces of mail sorted to go to various parts of the Island, we will give them a rebate at the end of the month.'' Mr. Crichlow stressed that customers still had to pay the regular postage when sending the mail.

A rebate cheque will be sent to the customer at the end of the month.

However, he said: "The public has been very helpful and tolerant and for that we are grateful.''