+
Mail has just missed the French packet. It may not be amiss, however, to remind the Communities of the three Const Ports that it is only by the courtesy of Messrs. DOUGLAS LAPRAIR & Co., that the British, French, American, Indian, and Australian Contract Mails are conveyed to and from those settlements, without, remuneration to any person concerned.
30. It is to be regretted that the work of the Post Office should sometimes involve inconveniences to H. M. Consuls, and thanks are due to them not only for their cordial and unfailing support during the late inspection, but also for their constant co-operation and the cheerfulness with which the inconveniences referred to are borne. This opportunity may be taken to acknowledge the invaluable assistance rendered by His Excellency Sir HARRY PARKES in our not altogether untroubled Postal relations with Japan, an assistance for which the deepest gratitude must be expressed, as also the courtesy of Mr. MAYESIMA, the Postmaster General of Japan, who left nothing undone to aid, not only in the inspection of British Offices, but also in an examination of those of his own country.
31. The irregularities brought to light by former inspections, consisting chiefly of accumulations of undelivered letters, &c., have now ceased to be possible, precautions against them having been adopted in this Office.
32. In Japan, as also in Shanghai, erroneous ideas got afloat, very much exaggerating the aim and scope of what was merely a round of Office Inspection. In Japan it was supposed that negotiations were in band as to the withdrawal of British Post Offices; in Shanghai, that something was to be done to fuse the existing five Postal Administrations into one.
33. The Postal service of Shanghai, considered as a whole, is not satisfactory. Nowhere, perhaps, are the grooves of business life adjusted to work more smoothly than in this splendid settlement. Everything that a business man can desire is anticipated, and in the most effective way, except that his correspondence has to be distributed to and by five different and almost rival Post Offices, to which it is not impossible that a sixth may be added.
34. Nevertheless, the scheme for an Imperial Chinese Local Post Office said to be set on foot by the Customs Authorities should be hailed as a step in the right direction. The only practical remedy at all likely to be devised for existing evils must be devised in the name of the Emperor of China. An Imperial Chinese Post Office, under exclusive foreign management, central, efficient, amply guaranteed, extended to all the open Ports, and admitted to the Postal Union, would make the Coast service of China more effective than it ever has been or otherwise ever can be.
35. It is matter of regret not to have been able to effect more for the simplification of the present state of things at Shanghai. The only point which suggested itself was to resign the service between Shanghai, Foochow, Ainoy, and Swatow wholly into the hands of the efficient and deservedly popular Municipal Post Office, so as not to have two offices advertising Mails for the same places. But as the British Post Office gives facilities for Registry, which the Local Post Office does not at present afford, it has been thought better to make no immediate change.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
The Honourable J. GARDINER AUSTIN, C.M.G.,
&c.,
Colonial Secretary, &c.,
dc.
APPENDIX.
(A.) GENERAL RETURN OF POST OFFICE BUSINESS.
ALFRED LISTER,
Postmaster General.
1876.
1877.
SENT.
INCREASE
RECEIVED.
DECHRASE.
1876.
1877.
INCREASE. DECREASE
Booka
Letters-
ה
Papers.
UNITED KINGDOM.
Per British Packets,.......
181,580
I'er French Packets,
Books and Риретв
No 80,828 | 117,666| record. 67,620 27,722 75,901
Letters.
Nonks
and Letters ¡Letters
| Papers.)
Books
Papers
Lettor
Bonk
Letters and T'aper
Books ยาป ¡Papers)
Borks
Letters
und I'spers
Letters
Boek And Papers
No No No No
13,914,
Com
swoord, record, record, 'record.
***
H
8,291
H
כן
=
---
--
T
United StateL†
Per United States l'ackets, .......................
62,827
32,195 46,821
14.500
4
---
032 2,522 20,003|
1
ப
#
3
Registered CORRESPONDENCE.
United Kingdom,
KATRINA APADE -
Continent,
8,871 648
4,116
243
MAR
071
414
Australia,
127
187
HT
Ports of China and Japan,
1,249
1,564
10 315
Straits, Ceylon, India, &o.,.
703
$28
39
TH
Total Registered Correspondence............
6,600
I
7,814
G24
自♣♣
:
Ship Mail,
1,999
2,140
201
117
+
2,160 923 480
2,521
853
---
***
1,481
DGI
5e2
00
1,189
H
1,491
242
1,771
2,270
БОН
pri
+
ww!
6,538
8,297
---
1,769
1,096
1,800
104
↑ including a very small Hail for Yokohama by each U. 5. Packet.
•
Registered Papers, Books, and Patterns, not being nu:nerous, are included nader Registered Letters.
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