440
9. The new regulations for insured parcels also took effect from the 1st October. It is now compulsory to insure gold and silver articles for at least part of their value.
10. A parcels post service between Victoria and the Penk was inaugurated on the same day, but the public showed no disposition to make use of it, only two parcels being posted in as many months. It was, therefore, discontinued from the 1st December.
11. The insurance of parcels to India was discontinued in January. I am, however, again in corres- pondence with the Postmaster General of Bengal on the subject, and hope that a satisfactory arrange- ment will be shortly completed.
12. Table E gives the number of messages received at the Telegraph Room. There is an increase in the number of signals of approaching vessels from Cape D'Aguilar and a decrease under each of the remaining heads.
13. Table F shows the dates and causes of interruptions in the communication with Gap Rock and Cape D'Aguilar. The former number six as against eleven in 1893, and the latter ten as against eighteen in 1893.
14. Table G shows the revenue and expenditure of the department during 1893 and 1894. There is an increase under all heads of revenue except fees for private boxes in which there is a trifling decrease. The most important increase is one of nearly 10 per cent. in the value of stamps sold, which is attributable partly to the increased postal tariff, which came into force on the 1st August, and partly to a general increase in correspondence despatched. The largest relative increase is under the head of profit on exchange on Money Order transactions. This is, however, deceptive. The amount shown for 1894 is the sum paid into the Treasury in that year and represents approximately the profit on the transactions of 1892 and 1893. The profit on the 1892 transactions was not paid into the Treasury in 1893 because it was feared that the heavy loss caused by the closing of the Indian Mints, referred to in paragraph 12 of the Acting Postmaster General's report for 1893, would swamp both that and the profit on the 1893 transactions with other countries, and possibly render necessary a vote to meet the deficiency. Fortunately, this fear was not realized, and but for the loss referred to, amounting to $4,092.00, the business of 1893 would have shown a profit of $7,922.74 as against $2,374.41 for 1892, the large increase being due principally to increased transactions with Australia consequent on the failure of several Australia banks.
15. The increases under the various heads of expenditure are for the most part attributable to the fall in exchange.
16. On the 1st August the postage to the United Kingdom was raised from 7 cents to 10 cents peroz, for letters, with corresponding increases for other descriptions of correspondence. The effect of this change has been to increase by some 10 per cent. the average value of the monthly sale of stamps, allowance being made for the usual extra large sale in November.
17. The value of stamps sold at Shanghai jumped suddenly from $1.976 in July to $2,753 in August and maintained, from August to December inclusive, an average of $2,938 a month as against $1,661 for the preceding seven months, an increase of more than 70 per cent. This large increase was caused almost entirely by the closing of the Japanese Post Office at Shanghai, by which a great deal of extra work fell to the lot of the British Office. It is an ill wind that blows nobody any good, and one effect of the China-Japan War was to put some $1,200 a month into the pockets of the Hong- kong ratepayers.
18. Table I shows the Money Order business for 1894,
19. I regret to state that during the year it was found that more than 50 registered letters, originating for the most part from the Straits Settlements, had been during the previous year lost or misappropriated in transit through this Office. No prosecution was instituted, and the greater part of the indemnities claimed by the senders was paid by the father of the clerk to whom the losses were traced, and who was permitted to resign from the service. I am pleased to add that I have complete confidence in the staff at present under my control in this Office, who have one and all performed their duties conscientiously and satisfactorily.
20. Mr. J. PEEL joined the department as junior clerk in April.
21. Mr. J. COSTA resigned in May.
22. Mr. A. M. SILVA, the senior clerk, retired on pension in November, and was succeeded by Mr. W. J. Solly, who was transferred from the Police Force.
23. The Post Office shroff Fu No died in July, and was succeeded by CHING KAM LEUNG. The Money Order shroff also died, and was succeeded by NG LUM.
24. I returned from leave of absence on the 3rd October, and the Assistant Postmaster General, Mr. NORTHCOTE, left for England the same day, Mr. BADELEY being appointed to act as Assistant Postmaster General during his absence.