FOREWORD
THE following report on the Hong Kong Post Office for the year 1960-61 reveals still further record figures in practically every field of its activities. The most striking details will be found in the revenue figures and the increase in the amount of mail handled, particularly that destined to China.
2. The greatly increased traffic, especially during the second half of the year, combined with the Christmas and Chinese New Year pressure, placed an almost impossible strain on normally busy Post Offices. This, together with staff shortages, at times gave rise to counter and sorting services operating either below strength or with partially trained personnel despite the considerable use of overtime.
3. An Air Mail Centre was opened at the airport and three addi- tional post offices were opened during the year, two of these being in premises rented in the Man Yee Arcade, Des Voeux Road, Hong Kong and the So Uk Housing Estate in Kowloon and the other in a Government building constructed on Peng Chau Island. Many additional offices are required and have been planned, and a Planning and Survey Section was set up during the year to deal with this and other development.
4. Registered mail continued to increase and there was a substantial increase in the amount of parcel traffic whilst every opportunity was taken to expand the air and surface insurance service. Money Order and Postal Order services were also used on an increasing scale.
5. The number of broadcast receiving licences in force at the end of the year was 125,319 showing an increase of 20,654 over the previous
year.
6. A number of additional air and surface despatches were in- augurated during the year as direct outlets became available and details will be found under the appropriate heading of the report.
7. Two new stamps with values of 65 cents and $1.30 were intro- duced on 20th June, 1960, and the decision was also taken to issue in September 1961, a multi colour stamp to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the Hong Kong University.
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