INTRODUCTORY SUMMARY
THE Post Office Department operates postal services within the Colony and participates in worldwide exchanges of mail by land, sea and air. It is responsible for postal remittance services and for such administra- tive functions as telecommunications control and radiowave regulations. The Postmaster General is the nominated Telecommunications Authori- ty for Hong Kong under the Telecommunications Ordinance.
2. A slight deterioration in delivery services occurred following the dismissal of absentees in June but normal standards were resumed after a few weeks. No adverse effect on traffic volume as a consequence of the disturbances was observable and revenue throughout remained con- sistently buoyant.
3. Four new post offices were opened during the year. The realiza- tion of the Kowloon Central Office after numerous lengthy delays was a most satisfactory event. Planning services were devoted more to consolidation with the object of achieving greater productivity than to expansion of facilities as in recent years.
4. The second in the series of Lunar New Year stamps, commemo- rating the Year of the Monkey, proved extremely popular and achieved record sales of first day covers.
5. The year 1967 saw further important developments in the tele- communications field both internationally with the final link up of the SEACOM cable and the start of the Satellite Earth Station project and internally with the advent of broadcast television.
STAFF
6. The total authorized establishment of the Post Office at the close of the year was 1,918 (excluding supernumeraries), an increase of 98 over the preceding year. 837 posts were pensionable.
7. The normal turnover in staff through resignations, transfers, etc. was 95. In addition, 150 officers had their services terminated as a result of their actions during the 1967 disturbances; these vacancies were filled by mid-August.
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