Though the actual number of mail receptacles handled was less than in 1922, the amount of mail matter of every kind which was dealt with showed a large increase. This apparent anomaly is explained by the fact that before the abolition of the Agencies, British and Foreign, a large number of small bags was required to contain the mail matter passing to and from those Agencies, e.g., whereas in 1922 Hongkong might have had to close a separate bag to Canton British, Canton French and Canton Japanese Post Offices, in 1923 a single bag to the Chinese Post Office, Canton, could contain an equivalent or greater amount of mail matter.
The largest single mail dealt with was that brought from Canada and the United States of America by the "Empress of Russia" on the 21st January. Besides a large amount of ordinary mail matter, it included 10,733 registered and insured letter packets.
The balance of total revenue over total postal expenditure $622,700 shows an apparent increase of over 2 lakhs, but this large balance is inflated by the sum of $171,898 credited to Hongkong during the year by other Administrations on account of transit charges for the three years 1921-22-23.
In 1921 and 1922 Hongkong had to pay out $63,482 and $48,194 respectively under this head, and thus over the 3 years was only $60,221 to the good. Spreading this latter sum over the 3 years, the balance of revenue over expenditure in each year would be roughly as follows:-
1921... $466,500
1922... $473,000
1923... $472,000
figures which can certainly be regarded with the greatest satisfaction. The slight drop in 1923 is accounted for by the purchase of a new Post Office launch ("Post Office II") and of a Motor Mail Van (both items of extraordinary expenditure) at a combined cost of about $35,000.
Not a few complaints were again received concerning the loss of ordinary letters containing money, and so long as members of the Public are foolish enough to disregard the provisions of the Postal Guide in this connection, so long will they continue to suffer without redress.
The honesty of 90% of the Postal Staff is proof against such temptation (as is evidenced by the occasional handing in to the Postmaster General of notes found in pillar boxes by postmen getting less than $20 a month pay), but 100% integrity in every member of the Department is too much to expect.
R 5
Though the actual number of mail receptacles handled was less than in 1922, the amount of mail matter of every kind which was dealt with showed a large increase. This apparent anomaly is explained by the fact that before the abolition of the Agencies, British and Foreign, a large number of small bags was required to contain the mail matter passing to and from those Agencies, eg, whereas in 1922 Hongkong might have had to close a separate bag to Canton British, Canton French and Canton Japanese Post Offices, in 1923 a single bag to the Chinese Post Office, Canton, could contain an equivalent or greater amount of mail matter.
The largest single mail dealt with was that brought from Canada and the United States of America by the "Empress of Russia " on the 21st January. Besides a large amount of ordinary mail matter, it included 10,733 registered and insured letter packets.
The balance of total revenue over total postal expenditure $622,700 shows an apparent increase of over 2 lakhs, but this large balance is inflated by the sum of $171,898 credited to Hongkong during the year by other Administrations on account of transit charges for the three years 1921-22-23.
In 1921 and 1922 Hongkong had to pay out $63,482 and $48,194 respectively under this head, and thus over the 3 years was only $60,221 to the good. Spreading this latter sum over the 3 years, the blance of revenue over expenditure in each year would be roughly as follows:-
1921...
1922...
1923...
$466,500
$473,000
$472,000
figures which can certainly be regarded with the greatest satis- faction. The slight drop in 1923 is accounted for by the purchase of a new Post Office launch ("Post Office II") and of a Motor Mail Van (both items of extraordinary expenditure) at a com- bined cost of about $35,000.
Not a few complaints were again received concerning the loss of ordinary letters containing money, and so long as members of the Public are foolish enough to disregard the provisions of the Postal Guide in this connection, so long will they continue to suffer without redress.
The honesty of 90% of the Postal Staff is proof against such temptation (as is evidenced by the occasional handing in to the Post- master General of notes found in pillar boxes by postmen getting less than $20 a month pay), but 100% integrity in every member of the Department is too much to except.
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