XN000022-1974-08-16 — Page 2

FRIDAY, AUGUST 16, 1974.

POST OFFICE BOX AND PRIVATE BAG RENTALS

THE ANNUAL FEES FOR THE RENTING OF PRIVATE BOXES AND PRIVATE BAGS IN VARIOUS POST OFFICES WILL BE INCREASED FROM NEXT KONTH.

THE INCREASES, WHICH WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SEPTEMBER 1, WILL BE AS FOLLOUS:

PRIVATE BAG

LARCE BOX

SMALL BOX

CURRENT REVISED CHARGE

CURRENT

REVISED

CURRENT REVISED

CHARGE

CHARGE

CHARGE

CHARGE CHARGE

GENERAL POST

OFFICE

>

KOULOON CENTRAL)

$60

$150

$40

$100

$36

$75

POST OFFICE

>

ANY OTHER POST >

OFFICES

> $48

$100

$36-

$80

$36

$75

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE POST OFFICE SAID: THE CHARGE FOR THESE FACILITIES, WHICH ARE SUPPLEMENTARY TO THE NORMAL DELIVERIES BY POSTMEN, HAVE REMAINED UNCHANGED FOR OVER 15 YEARS.+

DURING THAT TIME, HE ADDED, CAPITAL AND MAINTENANCE COSTS TOGETHER WITH THE DAY TO DAY COST OF PROVIDING THIS FACILITY HAVE RISEN TO THE EXTENT THAT THE INCREASES PROPOSED ARE LONG OVERDUE.*

THE INCREASES WILL ONLY APPLY TO THE RENEWAL OF RENTS MADE ON AND AFTER SEPTEMBER 1.

THERE ARE A TOTAL OF 20.735 POST OFFICE BOXES AVAILABLE AT 30 POST OFFICES IN HONG KONG.

VILLAGE LOTS ON HONG KONG ISLAND

IN FUTURE WHEN VILLAGE LOTS ON HONG KONG ISLAND ARE RESUMED BY THE GOVERNMENT FOR COMMUNITY PROJECTS THE COMPENSATION WILL

INCLUDE AN EX GRATIA PAYMENT IN ADDITION TO THE NORMAL SUM ASSESSED AS THE FULL MARKET VALUE OF THE LOTS CONCERNED.

THIS WAS ANNOUNCED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY.

EXPLAINING THE MOVE, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID: THE DECISION TO GIVE EX GRATIA PAYMENTS EXTENDS TO HONG KONG ISLAND THE POLICY RECENTLY INTRODUCED IN CERTAIN PARTS OF NEW KOWLOON. PREVIOUSLY WHEN LOTS OF THIS TYPE WERE RESUMED THE OUNERS WERE GIVEN THE OPTION OF A GRANT OF LAND IN LIEU OF CASH COMPENSATION, BUT AS SUITACLE LAND FOR EXCHANGE PURPOSE IS NOW IN SHORT SUPPLY THIS PRACTICE HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED.+

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