at the General Post Office new direct first and second class surface despatches became possible and were formed to the following countries :
Country
Nigeria
Panama
Nicaragua
Surinam
Venezuela
A
British Guiana
Zanzibar Protectorate
British Solomon Islands
Iran
Brazil
Jamaica
Office of Exchange
Lagos
Panama City
Managua
Paramaribo
Caracas
Georgetown
Zanzibar
Honiara
Khorramshahr
Rio de Janeiro ... Kingston
44. Direct closed surface despatches were received in the same period from Tchita (U.S.S.R.) and Swatow (China).
45. Examination of letter mails received at Hong Kong revealed that three minor violations had occurred; the contents of a few packets being pilfered. No violation of letter mails shipped from Hong Kong was reported and strict control continued to be maintained on the stowage of mails loaded by the Hong Kong Post Office.
46. Difficulty however was experienced in providing quick off- loading from some vessels owing to the over-stowage of mails by cargo. This was noticeably so on ships plying the Pacific routes.
47. The conveyor bridge over the busy Connaught Road continued to provide an efficient means of loading and unloading mails and eliminated traffic hold ups. However the large amount of mail handled to and from the railway and the Kowloon offices necessitated examina- tion of the question of mechanization at the pier adjoining the Kowloon Railway Station for loading of mails to and from lighters and the mail transit sheds.
AIR MAIL
48. The schedules of the various air line companies operating to and from Hong Kong were continuously studied as well as the schedules of services operating at connecting overseas points to ensure that the best services and routes were being used. Daily services to a large number of destinations were made throughout the year. Faster air services were introduced by some air companies and the use of air mail services continued to expand. A total of seventy four destinations were served by direct air mails by the end of the year. The estimated
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