1878 — Page 210

Blue Books 香港計冊 All AI Reviewed
Series Prev Next Source

27. Since the close of the year further payments have been made to foreign countries, increasing the total amount hitherto paid since our entry into the Union to $5,733.32. It may be interesting to show how this sum has been apportioned.

Destination/Purpose Amount
I. To Batavia, for conveyance of mails from Singapore to Batavia by Netherlands Packets, 1877 $43.00
$570.95
$815.28
II. To Italy, for land transport of correspondence à découvert for the Continent of Europe $8,015.28
To Italy, for transport of closed mails for France, Spain, and Portugal, 1877 $1,708.88
III. To France, for sea and land transport of correspondence à découvert for the Continent of Europe, 1877 $79.98
To France, for conveyance of correspondence for France, 1877
IV. To the United States, for conveyance of correspondence for Chili, Hawaii, and other Non-Union Countries, to April, 1878 $5,733.32

28. With regard to the delays which have arisen in settling the Union accounts, it may perhaps be permissible to append an extract from a Report already submitted to the Government (on Circular despatch of Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH, August 23rd, 1878).

The Colonies were thrown into the intricacies of the Postal Union too suddenly for so complicated a system to work smoothly all at once. The Metropolitan Offices in Europe were too busy to give detailed instructions on points on which they themselves had had but little experience. The French Post Office Agents, generally exact in every possible detail, could give no information, and only expressed their own bewilderment. The first Statistical period may be compared to a review of raw recruits, no one of whom has any idea what he is expected to do.

  • The second statistical Period (the results of the first having been cancelled) was a little better, but not much.

The necessary forms were mostly filled up and forwarded, but too many of the Offices to which they were sent neglected to verify and return them. The most anxious care was exercised in this Office to prevent omissions, and yet some few omissions occurred. Points absolutely unprovided for in the Treaty had to be settled as they arose, and objections have been taken to the ways in which they were settled. Some of the accounts furnished by this Office, to the best of its information and ability, though correct as regards figures, were in a form which other Offices would not accept. It would have been very simple for those Offices, being in possession of the results, to put them on paper ruled and headed in any way that might be desired (for that was all the question at issue), but only within the last few weeks an application has been received to remodel and reforward them, and it is presumed the accounts must wait till they are received.

"It may be asked then, how long is this state of uncertainty and confusion to continue? It is hoped not much longer. The Convention of Paris amplifies the taking of Statistics just in the details which have been found all but unworkable. The various Post Offices are of course learning the new course of duty more and more every day.

It is believed that within a year the whole system, as regards Hongkong, will be susceptible of the clearest financial treatment, as much as if the Postal Income and Expenditure of the Colony were practically fixed."

The Honourable W. H. MARSH,

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

ALFRED LISTER,

Postmaster General.

Including a special contribution of £3,150=$16,211.47.

In previous years these payments have been made to London on behalf of the Countries concerned. This sum is really a charge against 1877. Within the last few days only an application has been received from the London Office for statistics of transit between this Colony and Seychelles, for which the accounts for 1877 were waiting. No mails have been exchanged with Seychelles for some years, hence of course no such statistics had been supplied.

APPENDIX.

(A)—COMPARATIVE RETURN OF REGISTERED CORRESPONDENCE, 1878 & 1877.

DESTINATION SENT RECEIVED
Number of Articles, 1878 Number of Articles, 1877 Increase Decrease Number of Articles, 1878 Number of Articles, 1877 Increase Decrease
United Kingdom 4,017 4,114 97 3,020 2,521 499
Australia 1,399 1,270 129 1,084 606 478
Continent of Europe 671 599 72 682 375 307
Coast of China and Japan 208 187 21 957 682 275
Straits, India, Ceylon, etc. 1,047 1,504 457 1,205 428 777
TOTAL 7,314 8,707 1,393 8,297 10,682 2,385
NET INCREASE 1,393 2,385

Page 210

Page 211

Edit History

2026-07-07 00:03:29 · NVIDIA / meta/llama-4-maverick-17b-128e-instruct
Live
View comparison
AI Proofread
27. Since the close of the year further payments have been made to foreign countries, increasing the total amount hitherto paid since our entry into the Union to $5,733.32. It may be interesting to show how this sum has been apportioned. Destination/Purpose Amount I. To Batavia, for conveyance of mails from Singapore to Batavia by Netherlands Packets, 1877 $43.00 $570.95 $815.28 II. To Italy, for land transport of correspondence à découvert for the Continent of Europe $8,015.28 To Italy, for transport of closed mails for France, Spain, and Portugal, 1877 $1,708.88 III. To France, for sea and land transport of correspondence à découvert for the Continent of Europe, 1877 $79.98 To France, for conveyance of correspondence for France, 1877 IV. To the United States, for conveyance of correspondence for Chili, Hawaii, and other Non-Union Countries, to April, 1878 $5,733.32 28. With regard to the delays which have arisen in settling the Union accounts, it may perhaps be permissible to append an extract from a Report already submitted to the Government (on Circular despatch of Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH, August 23rd, 1878). The Colonies were thrown into the intricacies of the Postal Union too suddenly for so complicated a system to work smoothly all at once. The Metropolitan Offices in Europe were too busy to give detailed instructions on points on which they themselves had had but little experience. The French Post Office Agents, generally exact in every possible detail, could give no information, and only expressed their own bewilderment. The first Statistical period may be compared to a review of raw recruits, no one of whom has any idea what he is expected to do. The second statistical Period (the results of the first having been cancelled) was a little better, but not much. The necessary forms were mostly filled up and forwarded, but too many of the Offices to which they were sent neglected to verify and return them. The most anxious care was exercised in this Office to prevent omissions, and yet some few omissions occurred. Points absolutely unprovided for in the Treaty had to be settled as they arose, and objections have been taken to the ways in which they were settled. Some of the accounts furnished by this Office, to the best of its information and ability, though correct as regards figures, were in a form which other Offices would not accept. It would have been very simple for those Offices, being in possession of the results, to put them on paper ruled and headed in any way that might be desired (for that was all the question at issue), but only within the last few weeks an application has been received to remodel and reforward them, and it is presumed the accounts must wait till they are received. "It may be asked then, how long is this state of uncertainty and confusion to continue? It is hoped not much longer. The Convention of Paris amplifies the taking of Statistics just in the details which have been found all but unworkable. The various Post Offices are of course learning the new course of duty more and more every day. It is believed that within a year the whole system, as regards Hongkong, will be susceptible of the clearest financial treatment, as much as if the Postal Income and Expenditure of the Colony were practically fixed." The Honourable W. H. MARSH, I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient Servant, ALFRED LISTER, Postmaster General. Including a special contribution of £3,150=$16,211.47. In previous years these payments have been made to London on behalf of the Countries concerned. This sum is really a charge against 1877. Within the last few days only an application has been received from the London Office for statistics of transit between this Colony and Seychelles, for which the accounts for 1877 were waiting. No mails have been exchanged with Seychelles for some years, hence of course no such statistics had been supplied. APPENDIX. (A)—COMPARATIVE RETURN OF REGISTERED CORRESPONDENCE, 1878 & 1877. DESTINATION SENT RECEIVED Number of Articles, 1878 Number of Articles, 1877 Increase Decrease Number of Articles, 1878 Number of Articles, 1877 Increase Decrease United Kingdom 4,017 4,114 97 3,020 2,521 499 Australia 1,399 1,270 129 1,084 606 478 Continent of Europe 671 599 72 682 375 307 Coast of China and Japan 208 187 21 957 682 275 Straits, India, Ceylon, etc. 1,047 1,504 457 1,205 428 777 TOTAL 7,314 8,707 1,393 8,297 10,682 2,385 NET INCREASE 1,393 2,385 Page 210 Page 211
Baseline (Original)
27. Since the close of the year further payments have been made to foreign countries, increasing Je total amount hitherto paid since our entry into the Union to $5,733.32. It may be interesting to ow how this sum has been apportioned. 1 To Batavia, for conveyance of mails from Singapore to Batavia by Netherlands Packets. 1877, 43.00 ........ 570.95 815.28 11. to Italy, for land transport of correspondence à découvert for the Continent of Europe, ............................... To Italy, for transport of closed mails for France, Spain, and Portugal, 1877, III. To France, for son and land transport of correspondence à découvert for the Continent of Europe, 1877.................. To France, for conveyance of correspondence for France, 1877, IV. To the United States, for conveyance of correspondence for Chili, Hawaii, and other Non-Union Countries, to April, 1878,... V. To London, for sea conveyance of the correspondence charged for under II, mails for India, &c.,-Claim not you received,... 8,015.28 1,708.88 79.98 $5,733,32 28. With regard to the delays which have arisen in settling the Union accounts, it may perhaps permissible to append an extract from a Report already submitted to the Government (on Circular spatch of Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH, August 23rd, 1878). The Colonies were thrown into the intricacies of the Postal Union too suddenly for so complicated a system to work smoothly all at once. The Metropolitan Offices in Europe were too busy to give detailed instructions on points on which they themselves bad bad bat little experience The French Post Office Agents, generally ex fait in overy possible detail, could give no information, and only expressed their own bewilderment. The first Statistical period may be compared to a review of raw recruits, no one of whom has any idea what he is expected to do." * The second statistion! Period (the results of the first having been cancelled) was a little better, but not much. • • The necessary forms were mostly filled up and forwarded, but too many of the Offices to which they were sent noglected to verify and return hem. The most anxious care was exercise in this Office to prevent omissions, and yet some few omissions occurred. Points absolutely unpro- ided for in the Treaty had to be settled as they arose, and objections have been taken to the ways in which they were settled. Some of the areonta fornished by this Office, to the best of its information and ability, though correct as regards figures, were in a form which other Offices would ant accept. It would have been very simple for those Offices, being in possession of the results, to put them on paper ruled and headed in any way that might be desired (for that was all the question at issue), but only within the last few weeks an application has been received to remodel and reforward them, and it is presumed the accounts must wait till they are received," • + • "It may be asked then, how long is this state of nacertainty and confusion to contiune? It is hoped not much longor. The Convention of Paris amplifies the taking of Statistics just in the details which have been found all but unworkable. The various Post Offices are of course learning the new course of dnty more and more every day, It is believed that within a year the whole system, as regards Hongkong, will be susceptible of the clearest financial treatment, as much as if the Postal Income and Expenditure of the Colony were practically fixed." The Honourable W. H. MARSII, I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient Servant, ALFRED LISTER, Postmaster General. • fc., Colonial Secretary, St., Inclnding a special contribution of £3,150=$16,211.47. fc. In previous years these payments have been made to London on behalf of the Countries concerned. This som is really a charge against 1877. Within the last few days only an application has been received from the London Office for statistics of transit between this Colony and chelles, for which the accounts for 1877 were waiting. No mails have been exchanged with Seychelles for some years, hence of course no such atistles had been supplied. APPENDIX. (A.)—COMPARATIVE RETURN OF REGISTERED CORRESPONDENCE, 1878 & 1877. SENT. RECEIVED. DESTINATION. Number of Number of Number Number Increase. Decrease. Articles, Articles, 1873. 1877. of Articles, 1878. of Increase. Decrease. Articles, 1877. nited Kingdom, untralia, ontinent of Europe, 4,017 4,114 97 3,020 2,521 1,399 1,270 671 599 1,000 1,084 606 erle of China and Japan, 208 187 71 057 682 75 raita, India, Ceylon, tc., 1,047 1,504 383 1,000 1,491 568 1,205 A28 437 2,410 2,070 203 TOTAL,..... 8,707 7,314 1,490 07 10,682 8,297 2,648 203 NHT INCREASE,.... 1,393 2,385 Page 210Page 211
2026-07-07 00:03:29 · Baseline
View content

27. Since the close of the year further payments have been made to foreign countries, increasing Je total amount hitherto paid since our entry into the Union to $5,733.32. It may be interesting to

ow how this sum has been apportioned.

1 To Batavia, for conveyance of mails from Singapore to Batavia by Netherlands Packets. 1877,

43.00

........

570.95

815.28

11. to Italy, for land transport of correspondence à découvert for the Continent of Europe, ...............................

To Italy, for transport of closed mails for France, Spain, and Portugal, 1877,

III. To France, for son and land transport of correspondence à découvert for the Continent of Europe, 1877..................

To France, for conveyance of correspondence for France, 1877,

IV. To the United States, for conveyance of correspondence for Chili, Hawaii, and other Non-Union Countries, to April, 1878,... V. To London, for sea conveyance of the correspondence charged for under II, mails for India, &c.,-Claim not you received,...

8,015.28 1,708.88

79.98

$5,733,32

28. With regard to the delays which have arisen in settling the Union accounts, it may perhaps permissible to append an extract from a Report already submitted to the Government (on Circular spatch of Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH, August 23rd, 1878).

The Colonies were thrown into the intricacies of the Postal Union too suddenly for so complicated a system to work smoothly all at once. The Metropolitan Offices in Europe were too busy to give detailed instructions on points on which they themselves bad bad bat little experience The French Post Office Agents, generally ex fait in overy possible detail, could give no information, and only expressed their own bewilderment. The first Statistical period may be compared to a review of raw recruits, no one of whom has any idea what he is expected to do."

* The second statistion! Period (the results of the first having been cancelled) was a little better, but not much.

•

•

The necessary forms were mostly filled up and forwarded, but too many of the Offices to which they were sent noglected to verify and return hem. The most anxious care was exercise in this Office to prevent omissions, and yet some few omissions occurred. Points absolutely unpro- ided for in the Treaty had to be settled as they arose, and objections have been taken to the ways in which they were settled. Some of the areonta fornished by this Office, to the best of its information and ability, though correct as regards figures, were in a form which other Offices would ant accept. It would have been very simple for those Offices, being in possession of the results, to put them on paper ruled and headed in any way that might be desired (for that was all the question at issue), but only within the last few weeks an application has been received to remodel and reforward them, and it is presumed the accounts must wait till they are received,"

•

+

•

"It may be asked then, how long is this state of nacertainty and confusion to contiune? It is hoped not much longor. The Convention of Paris amplifies the taking of Statistics just in the details which have been found all but unworkable. The various Post Offices are of course learning the new course of dnty more and more every day,

It is believed that within a year the whole system, as regards Hongkong, will be susceptible of the clearest financial treatment, as much as if the Postal Income and Expenditure of the Colony were practically fixed."

The Honourable W. H. MARSII,

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

ALFRED LISTER,

Postmaster General.

•

fc.,

Colonial Secretary,

St.,

Inclnding a special contribution of £3,150=$16,211.47.

fc.

In previous years these payments have been made to London on behalf of the Countries concerned. This som is really a charge against 1877. Within the last few days only an application has been received from the London Office for statistics of transit between this Colony and chelles, for which the accounts for 1877 were waiting. No mails have been exchanged with Seychelles for some years, hence of course no such atistles had been supplied.

APPENDIX.

(A.)—COMPARATIVE RETURN OF REGISTERED CORRESPONDENCE, 1878 & 1877.

SENT.

RECEIVED.

DESTINATION.

Number of

Number of

Number

Number

Increase. Decrease.

Articles, Articles, 1873. 1877.

of Articles, 1878.

of

Increase. Decrease.

Articles,

1877.

nited Kingdom,

untralia,

ontinent of Europe,

4,017

4,114

97

3,020

2,521

1,399

1,270

671

599

1,000

1,084

606

erle of China and Japan,

208

187

71

057

682

75

raita, India, Ceylon, tc.,

1,047

1,504

383

1,000

1,491

568

1,205

A28

437

2,410

2,070

203

TOTAL,.....

8,707

7,314

1,490

07

10,682

8,297 2,648

203

NHT INCREASE,....

1,393

2,385

Page 210Page 211

Comments

Approved members can add comments, bookmarks, and private notes.

No comments yet.

Private Research Note

Private notes are available after approval.