221. The Unit continued to receive valuable assistance from Officers and N.C.Os. of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps:
POLICE BAND
222. Mr. R. H. SPENCER, A.R.C.M., joined the Band as a Director of Music in July, 1963. The Band consists of two sections: a conventional Military Band of 49 pieces and pipes and drums 20 men strong.
223. Apart from its main function of providing Music for Police Parades, both formal and training, the Band has played at 23 public functions which include concerts in the City Hall and Public Parks, at Race Meetings, Football Matches and occasionally at the arrival and departure of larger passenger liners.
COMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSPORT
224. A Senior Superintendent of Police is in charge of the Com- munications and Transport Branch which is part of Police Headquarters. The uniformed establishment of this Division is 2 Senior Officers, 4 Junior Officers, 24 N.C.Os. and 62 P.Cs. In addition, there are 1 senior and 87 junior civilian officers.
Communications
225. During the year, much attention has been given to the future development of Force communications. Proposals for a new and in- dependent Marine V.H.F. radio network have been accepted by Govern- ment and recommendations for the major re-organization of land radio networks have also received Government approval. The new radio networks will be completed in about two years' time.
226. To meet the requirements of continued Force expansion, the telephone system on Hong Kong Island District has been decentralized. Satellite telephone exchanges have been installed in Divisional Stations to reduce the load on the main Police exchange. Plans are now in hand to decentralize the telephone system in Kowloon District.
227. A new teleprinter network to replace the existing Force teleprinter system is being planned in detail.
228. The Force Radio Workshop has completed 500 respirator adaptor assemblies enabling respirator-fitted microphones to be used with trans- hailers in times of emergency.
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