North Petherton "excessive" local delivery charge in 1804

The entire illustrated below (courtesy of mozzerb from Stampboards) is from Dorchester to North Petherton from 1804, dated 17th November 1804 in manuscript inside.  It has a "DORCHESTER / 123" handstamp (52x12 mm, DT 218, in use 1805-10 according to the British County Catalogue so this is an early usage) and a manuscript "1/-" for postage.

Dorchester to Bridgwater (which was North Petherton's Post Town) is approximately 55 miles so the postal rate in the General Post would have been 6d (for 50-80 mile) - as this had an enclosure it would have been charged double rate or 1/-.

On the reverse is another manuscript mark which appears to be "1/3".  This may well be the total charge to the recipient including a local delivery charge of 3d. on top of the 1/- General Post charge.  There is some documentary evidence that either the Bridgwater Postmaster or a local carrier charged this sort of amount as evidenced by a visit of the Surveyor to the area in April 1834 following complaints of the lack of a Penny Post. He submitted a report recommending the establishment of a Penny Post walk to North Petherton, to include the hamlets of Hamp, Huntworth, Moorland, North Newton, St. Michael Church, Thurloxton, Binford, Boomer, and Road. In supporting the recommendation, Francis Freeling wrote to the P.M.G., 'I presume your Grace will authorize his proposition, which will release the inhabitants from the excessive charges of 3d. and 4d. on their letters ..... '.

If this manuscript "1/3" is the total charge including the unofficial local delivery then that might explain why the "1/-" on the front is not crossed out.