Appendix R,
REPORT ON THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, HONGKONG,
FOR THE YEAR 1915.
1.---STAFF.
Mr. E. D. C. Wolfe acted as Colonial Treasurer in addition to his other duties from the 1st January to the 13th February. He was absent from the Colony from the 11th September to the 19th October on a tour of inspection of the Northern Postal Agencies during which period Mr. N. L. Smith Assistant Postmaster General acted as Postmaster General. Mr. G. G. Burnett, senior clerk, retired on pension on 28th May after 22 years' service in the Colonial Government.
Mr. R. C. Watt continued to act as Postal Inspector in addition to his other duties, no definite appointment having been made during the year. The post of senior clerk has been abolished.
During the year 3 members of the clerical staff were transferred to the Public Works Department, one was transferred to the Radio Telegraph Staff, one was dismissed, one was invalided and one died. 6 new clerks were appointed all of whom had served as Probationer Sorters in the General Post Office for periods of time varying from 2 months to 12 months. 5 new posts were created all in connection with the opening of new Branch Post Offices. A 5th grade clerk was appointed to Sai-Ying-Pun Branch Post Office on 1st January, 1915, one clerk and one shroff to Wantsai on 1st March, 1915, and one clerk and one shroff to Yaumati on 1st July, 1915.
The Radio Telegraph Staff at the General Post Office consists of 4 telegraphists 3 of whom were transferred from the Harbour Office on 1st January, 1915, and one additional telegraphist who was appointed on 1st July, 1915. A counter clerk was also appointed to receive radio telegrams at the General Post Office and make out the necessary radio telegraph accounts. The radio telegraph service commenced on the 15th July.
2.-MAILS.
The number of mails, mail bags and packets despatched showed a decrease of 1,905 and the number received a decrease of 6,237 compared with the figures for 1914.
The total number of mail bags and packets dealt with amounted to 242,162 as compared with 250,304 in the preceding year.
The number of bags and packets sent in transit through the Post Office amounted to 70,993, viz., 1,962 less than in 1914.