166
HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT
expected that the work will be completed in 1958. Before being finally approved by the Government, the plans were referred to the Port Executive Committee, in order to ensure that the new development will not interfere with any of the fairways used by shipping.
The facilities for air travel to and from Hong Kong are among the best in Asia, which, in view of the smallness of Kai Tak Airport and the fact that it can at present be used only by day, is remarkable. In all, 15 airline com- panies, including two local companies, operate regular services to and from Hong Kong, covering all principal
routes.
First-rate facilities are provided by the Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Co. Ltd. for overhauls, and by the Far East Flying Training Schools for training pilots, aircraft-maintenance and radio engineers.
POST OFFICE
The traffic handled by the Post Office continued the tremendous increase which has been its main characteristic every year in the last ten. The congestion in the sorting offices of the main post offices is now such that introduction of new services can now be undertaken only as and when additional premises are available. Plans to overcome this situation are already being considered by the Government.
Air and sea services for the carriage of mails improved considerably, particularly air services, which made possible for the first time a daily despatch to Europe and America. A minimum of four despatches per week is maintained to practically all other main administrations. The rapid for- warding and delivery of mails is one of the factors assisting Hong Kong's growth as an industrial centre.
Letter mails are despatched to 66 destinations by air and 75 by sea, direct parcel mails to 26 destinations by air and 62 by sea. Letter mails are received direct from 71 places by air and 67 by sea, direct parcel mails from 22 countries by air and 41 by sea.
Posted traffic for the year increased by 2.93% over the total of 58,320,315 for 1954, to 60,029, 100 items. The total of items received was 37,987,908, an increase of 9.5% over the total of 34,692,154 recorded for 1954.