COMMUNICATIONS
167
The total of 3,256,893 registered items handled showed an increase of 60,823, despite the increase in the registration fee which had been found necessary. Parcel traffic also increased by 60,811 parcels, to a total of 968,288. The greatest increase was again in the air parcel traffic, an additional 28,794 air parcels being handled.
A very considerable increase in Christmas postings was noted, and although some 2,400,000 items were recorded as being handled in the ten-day peak period of Christmas 1954, no less than 3,000,000 items were dealt with during the same period of Christmas pressure in 1955. This tremen- dous increase caused many difficulties, and the handling of the ever-growing traffic, especially at pressure periods such as this, makes provision of additional accommodation imperative.
The remittance services continue to grow in popularity, the value of money orders and postal orders issued and paid being $2,020,817 and $2,201,289 respectively, an increase of $985,255, giving a total of $4,222, 106. This is the first time that the total has exceeded two million dollars for both issued and paid orders.
The sale of postage stamps and revenue stamps created yet another record, the total of $26,553,869 being $2,659,349 in excess of the $23,894,520 total for 1954.
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 wireless stations and radio dealers' licences. The number of broadcasting licences in force on 31 December was 52,468, with 551 other licences.
The Office conducts examinations for the Postmaster- General's Certificate for Proficiency in Wireless Telegraphy, and undertakes the survey and inspection of ships' and aircraft wireless stations. Another function is the enfor- cement of the regulations made under the International Telecommunication Convention (Atlantic City, 1947) and the Hong Kong Telecommunications Ordinance.
A close liaison is maintained between the Hong Kong Communications Board, the Hong Kong Frequency Assign-