COMMUNICATIONS
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direct overseas despatches can be made, thus excluding inter- mediate offices and speeding up the transmission of letters or parcels. The thousands of mail bags which are handled daily by the Post Office are conveyed to and from ships and across the harbour in launches which are provided and staffed by the Marine Department. A new 70-foot launch was added to the fleet during the year bringing the total number of Government craft engaged on postal business to six.
During the year, there was a marked increase in the despatch of postal packets to China. This first became evident in January and reached a peak in May 1961 when 43,000 bags containing about 14 million packets were sent into China by train alone. Extra staff was taken on by the Post Office to accept and sort these packets and junks were also used to carry the mail up the Pearl River to Canton.
In September, to commemorate the Hong Kong University Golden Jubilee celebrations, the Post Office issued a special multi- colour stamp depicting the University Court and also opened a temporary Post Office at the University to cater for visitors.
Wireless Division. As a result of the appointment in 1960 of a Wireless Engineer, to the Wireless Division of the Post Office, it has been possible to enlarge and diversify the whole aspect and scope of the section's work. The engineer is technical adviser to all other Government departments on matters affecting telecommu- nications.
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Interference with essential radio communication services was successfully investigated on several occasions during the year. The number of factories using high frequency welding techniques in the manufacture of plastic goods is rapidly increasing, and the division issued 246 licences to permit the operation of this equip-
ment.
Figures for all forms of licences, including wireless licences, continued to rise. (See Appendix X).
The wireless division is also responsible for holding examina- tions for the Postmaster General's Certificates of Proficiency in Wireless Telegraphy and also for the Ministry of Transport's Certificate of Radar Maintenance. During 1961 73 candidates sat these examinations.