208
despatched to the Western Post Office at Noon. And, indeed, it would under these circumstances be possible to arrange for two-hourly, if not hourly, deliveries all over the Town; while on mail days the convenience to residents in the suburbs would be very great.
The deliveries would also be expedited if there was a letter box attached to the door of each house into which the Postmen could drop the letters, and pass on without the loss of time involved in finding some one to take delivery.
Whether any improvement would result from the substitution of Indians or the poorer class of Portuguese for Chinese as letter-carriers could only be ascertained after trial. At any rate the difficulties of contending with old custom would disappear, and there would be greater certainty that letters addressed to Private Residences would be delivered as addressed, and not taken to the addressees' Offices.
19. The Postal Work at the Agencies at the Coast Ports has been carried on in a most satisfactory manner. During the year there were several changes in the personnel of the Agencies. Mr. E. T. C. WERNER, who for a long time had rendered most efficient service at Canton, resigned on October 21st, on transfer to Tientsin, Mr. G. D. PITZIPIOS being appointed to succeed him; he, however, left for England on November 28th, and the duties of the Agency were undertaken by Mr. F. S. A. BOURNE during the remainder of the year. On November 1st, Mr. H. A. GILES handed over the Ningpo Agency to Mr. P. F. HAUSSER, at whose request Mr. C. KILGOUR was on the 18th appointed Postal A gent. On December 13th, Mr. R. W. HURST resigned the Agency at Foochow, and Mr. E. C. WILTON was appointed in his stead.
20. Table G gives the particulars of Money Order transactions during the year. The question of a direct exchange with the United States is under consideration. It is hoped that arrangements for the issue of Postal Notes for Local use will be completed before long.
21. My thanks are due to the Officers in charge of the Postal Agencies and to the Staff of this Department for the ready assistance rendered to me in my endeavours to meet the convenience of the Public and at the same time keep down expenses.
I have the honour to be,
The Honourable G. T. M. O'BRIEN, C.M.G., Colonial Secretary.
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
G. STAFFORD NORTHCOTE,
Acting Postmaster General.
Table A.-Return of Correspondence collected from the Pillar Letter Boxes in Town from
August 15th to December 31st, 1892.
Box No.
Locality.
7
Arsenal Street,
8
10
11
12
Harbour Office,
Albany and Robinson Roads,
Seymour and Castle Roads,
Old Bailey Street...
Robinson and Bonham Roads,.
13
Percival Street,...............
14
No. 7 Police Station,
Total Number of Letters,
General Post Office, Hongkong, April 7th, 1893.
No. of Letters.
804
479
98
174
403
146
19
949
3,072
G. STAFFORD NORTHCOTE, Acting Postmaster General.