58. A new service known as Speedpost was introduced between Hong Kong and Great Britain in September 1973, and the service was extended to the United States of America in January 1974. This is a door-to-door international package collection and delivery facility providing a more rapid service than the ordinary air mail, and it is arranged so that the collection and delivery of the items are scheduled in accordance with the customers' requirements utilizing pre-determined flights. The service operates on a contractural basis and is not available to casual customers.
59. An international express delivery service was introduced to and from 20 countries on the 1st March, 1974. The fee for items posted in Hong Kong is $3 and the service provides for the expenditious delivery of the item in the country of destination. Express items arriving in Hong Kong are specially handled to ensure that they connect with next delivery on the day of receipt, or they may be delivered by special messenger according to the circumstances.
Christmas Mails
60. The number of items handled during the Christmas period was broadly similar to that of the previous year. There was a decrease in the number of items posted to overseas destinations, but items received from abroad were more than in 1972-73. Items posted in Hong Kong for delivery locally increased from 14.5 millions to 15.8 millions com- pared with the previous year, and all items posted locally before the advertised latest times of posting were duly delivered by Christmas Eve.
Development
61. Piling work on the new General Post Office site started in January 1974, and tenders for the construction of the main building were invited on 1st March, 1974. The mechanization layout was finalized by the British Post Office Consultancy Service. Preparation of tender documents and specifications for postal mechanization was also completed for subsequent tender formalities to be processed early in the 1974-75 financial year. Piling of the International Mail Centre is scheduled to begin at the middle of 1974.
62. During the year three new Post Offices were opened at Yau Tong, Tsat Tsz Mui (North Point) and Mei Foo Sun Chuen, bringing the total number of Post Offices in operation to 68.
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