Receiving Station at Mount Butler either for direct relay or recording by Radio Hong Kong. During the Test Match series in Australia, the ABC ball-by-ball commentaries were received covering each game. During the Asian Games in Japan, commentaries in Cantonese were received from NHK. English commentaries on the games were received via a Voice of America station in Manila. During the weekend of motor racing in Macau, commentaries in both English and Cantonese were received from Radio Vila Verde.
111. Between late September and up to the end of March, the 11.5 metre band from the BBC direct gave good quality reception. This was the result of high sunspot activity. During the summer months it was frequently necessary to use the transmission from the BBC's Far Eastern Station, in preference to direct reception, as the overall intelligibility was better. This was due mainly to higher absorption on the long route during these months. Interference from Hong Kong's industries using radio frequency equipment was very severe at times. This interference takes the form of loud sporadic bursts of noise which frequently oblit- erate words, or even short passages of speech, during programmes. It was particularly noticeable that during the Chinese New Year holiday period there was complete absence of any industrial interference.
PART VI
ADMINISTRATION AND GENERAL
GENERAL
112. The total number of staff employed in the department was fifty three, of whom thirty three were programme staff and the remain- der executive, clerical and secretarial. In addition, thirty two technical staff were employed by Cable and Wireless Ltd. for broadcasting operations.
LICENCES
113. The annual fee for a receiving licence remains at $20, the issue of licences being the responsibility of the Postmaster General. Licences increased by 7,628 or 11.5% during the year, the total standing at 73,762 on the 31st March.
ACCOMMODATION
114. The increase of staff over the past years has resulted in a chronic accommodation problem and in order to attempt a relief of
23
Page 35Page 36