vendors was 62 at 31st March, 1951. Permits were issued for the manu- facture of privately printed light air letter forms. A total of 12 licences have been issued to applicants desiring to use the Business Reply Service. The total number of postal franking machines licensed at the end of the year was 25.
RADIO LICENSING & INSPECTION BRANCH.
Broadcast Receiving Licences.
25. The number of broadcast receiving licences in force on 31st March, 1951, was 43,377 of which 39,706 were taken out by the non- European section of the population. This figure is an increase of 1,009 over the previous year. The total revenue from receiving licences was $867,540.00.
REDIFFUSION.
26. On 1st January, 1951, a new agreement with Messrs. Rediffusion (Hong Kong) Ltd., became operative. Under this agreement, Government receives a royalty of $1 per subscriber per month irrespective of whether the Rediffusion subscriber is a radio licensee or not. The revenue from this source during the year ended 31st March, 1951, was $429,007.
WIRELESS SURVEYS.
27. During the past year 215 ship wireless stations were surveyed, and 157 ship and 4 aircraft wireless stations were inspected by the Wireless Surveyor.
EXAMINATIONS.
28. Examinations for the Postmaster General's certificates of Proficiency in Wireless Telegraphy, 1st, 2nd and Special Class, were con- ducted by this Branch during August and November, 1950, at the Government Technical College. 31 candidates submitted themselves for these examinations and 14 qualified for the 2nd Class Certificate. During the August examination two candidates were examined for the 1st Class Certificate, this being the first occasion on which such an examination has been held in the Colony. Unfortunately both candidates failed to qualify.
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