COMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSPORT
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Five new post offices were opened in 1973—at Victoria Peak, Tsat Tsz Mui, Yau Tong, Ho Man Tin, and Mei Foo Sun Chuen. The Cheung Chau Post Office, which was inadequate to meet the growing needs of the island, was reprovisioned in larger and more centrally situated accommodation. Improvement works were carried out at Kowloon Central Post Office, Kowloon Parcel Office and Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office where counter and sorting office facilities were expanded to cater for the growing needs in these districts.
Temporary post offices were provided for the Festival of Hong Kong Stamp Ex- hibition in the City Hall and the 31st Exhibition of Hong Kong Products on the Wan Chai Reclamation.
The year saw the clearance of the site for the new General Post Office in readiness for piling work to begin on this major building project. Tendering arrangements for the supply and erection of a structural steel frame for the second major project—the International Mail Centre at Hung Hom-were made by the Public Works Depart- ment. International manufacturers were invited to tender for the supply and installa- tion of postal mechanisation systems in both of these planned buildings.
A new definitive issue of postage stamps was placed on sale on June 12, 1973, replacing the previous definitive issue which was introduced in 1962. There are 14 denominations in the new issue, one less than in the previous series, due to the elimination of the five-cent stamp. The main design feature is a plaster cast of the head of the Queen, by Arnold Machin.
In addition to the definitive issue three commemorative issues were made during the year. In February, as part of a series to commemorate Lunar New Year, two stamps of values 10 cents and $1.30 were issued for 'The Year of the Ox'. In November there were two special issues, one to commemorate the wedding of Princess Anne, when two stamps-50 cents and $2—were placed on sale, and another to commemorate the Festival of Hong Kong for which three stamps of values 10 cents, 50 cents and $1 were issued. Specially designed first day covers were on sale with each of the stamp issues.
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At Christmas the popular pictorial Christmas aerogrammes were again on sale.
Telecommunication Services
The Postmaster General, as the telecommunication authority, administers the Telecommunication Ordinance and is responsible for the control and supervision of all telecommunication services operating within and from Hong Kong. The Post Office licenses and inspects installations operating under the ordinance, monitors radio transmissions, and investigates interference. It also provides an advisory service to the government and co-ordinates the communication requirements of departments. In addition, it carries out electronics maintenance for 20 government departments, ranging over 246 sites throughout Hong Kong, mainly in the fields of radio, audio and electro-medical equipment.
Overseas communication facilities are provided by Cable and Wireless. A total of 312 telephone and 712 telegraph circuits to all parts of the world are provided by submarine cable, HF radio, satellite and tropospheric scatter systems.