340
Books containing stamps to the value of $1 were available from 1st January, 1904, and were purchased to the number of 3,040. Postage Envelopes, though very convenient, are not in great demand.-Tables D., E.
MONEY ORDER BRANCH.
9. Details of the business done are attached.—Table G. There are increases in orders in Sterling, Gold Yen and Silver Dollars, and decreases in Gold Dollars and Rupees. Both British and Local Postal Notes shew an increase.
British Postal Orders are now cashed in Hongkong and at the British Agencies. The limit for Single Money Order has been raised from £10 or $100 to £40 or $400.
A direct exchange of Money Orders has been arranged with the Transvaal Post Office.
DEAD LETTER OFFICE.
10. 38,229 articles were dealt with. 24,771 being returned from Hongkong to other administrations and 13,458 being received from other countries.
There was found in 66 unregistered letters opened in the Dead Letter Branch and returned to their several senders; silk handkerchiefs, a lady's bodice, silver curios, Imperial Postal Orders amounting to £22. 14. 0., Bank Drafts, Cheques, Bank of England Notes and Money Orders representing in those drawn in sterling a sum of £677. 7. 0. and those drawn in local currency $235.45.
A large number of letters received in this Branch, owing to the absence, both of address and name of sender, could not be returned and were therefore destroyed, particularly was this the case with letters written in Chinese.
The return of correspondence to senders in the Navy and Army would be much facilitated if the sender's name, rank and ship or regiment appeared thereon. -Table F.
GENERAL.
11. Owing to labour difficulties at Marseilles the mails which should have arrived by French Steamers were brought on by other lines, on the following occasions: On the 5th October, 1904, by "Capri", on the 18th October by the "Marie Valerie" and on the 31st October by the "Gregory Apcar". The mails despatched from London by French Packet on the 29th April, 13th May and 8th July were owing to breakdowns brought to the Colony by the P. & 0. "Ballaarat" and "Nankin," and s.s. "Catherine Apcar". The last mentioned mail had in the first instance been transferred at Colombo to the German Mail "Prinz Heinrich" but that boat not being able through an accident to proceed further than Singapore transferred there both her own Mails and those of the French Packet.
S.S.
The mail despatched from London on the 15th March by German Packet s. s. "Oldenburg was transferred at Aden to the P. & 0. Mail Packet and reached Hongkong on 22nd April by P. & O. s. s. "Chusan".
A mail for Manila was placed on board the s. s. "Legaspi" on the 15th December, but the steamer has not since been heard of,
The Honourable
THE COLONIAL Secretary.
I have, &c.,
L. A. M. JOHNSTON, Postmaster General.