Registered mail again increased from 1,705,207 items in 1949 to 2,246,133 in 1950. There were also very heavy increases in the Chinese Branch where correspondence dealt with increased from 8,946,269 items in 1949 to 10,190,754 in 1950, and in parcel traffic which showed an increase of 94,056 parcels handled, the figure for 1950 being 457,486. The sale of Postage and receipt stamps reached another all-time record at $17,048,110, an increase of $3,960,567 over the 1949 figure. Difficulties over payment of Money Orders in Pakistan was to a large extent responsible for a drop in Money Order business from $2,212,448 in 1949 to $1,130,626 in 1950, but Postal Order business continued to increase, the 1950 total of $521,963 representing an increase of $70,929 over 1949.
Christmas postings were again extremely heavy and it was necessary to authorize additional deliveries and late duty hours in order to keep clear.
Licensing
The Radio Licensing and Inspection Office, under the control of the Postmaster General, issues all types of radio licences ranging from domestic Broadcast Receiving Licences to amateur station licences and dealers' licences, and in addition conducts examinations for Certificates of Proficiency in radiotelegraphy and telephony. During the year the duty of survey and inspection of ships and aircraft radio apparatus, which had temporarily been carried on by Cable and Wireless Ltd., reverted to the Radio Licensing Section. Energetic measures continued to be taken against persons operating illegal radio-transmitting stations and unlicensed broadcast receivers, and many successful prosecutions were made.
The number of Broadcast Receiving Licences maintained a satisfactory level of over 44,000 of which over 90% are held by Chinese listeners.
Several more commercial firms-chiefly stevedoring concerns- took advantage of the facilities offered by the Private Business Wireless Licence and now maintain direct radiotelephone communi- cation between their offices and lighters on duty in the harbour.
Telecommunications
On 1st September, by agreement between the Government and Cable and Wireless Ltd., the transfer of certain telecommunication services formerly administered by the Government was effected. From that date the company purchased all relevant buildings and equipment and took over responsibility for the technical maintenance and development of meteorology, aeradio, ship-shore and broadcasting services. The company also absorbed 145 telecommunications em- ployees who accepted transfer on terms agreed to by the Government.
Cable and Wireless Ltd. has continued its policy of expansion. Besides the building of new central offices this has included the placing of large orders for re-equipping Aeradio Kai Tak with modern plant, the provision of a new radio receiving station at Mount Butler, an extensive building programme at Cape D'Aguilar transmitting site where additional high-powered transmitters were installed during the year, and the construction of houses for expatriate staff.
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