XN000022-1976-11-20 — Page 5

NOTE TO EDITORS:

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1976

MR. BECKENHAM, ACCOMPANIED BY HIS WIFE, WILL LEAVE HONG KONG BY FLIGHT BA871 ETD 2015 HOURS TOMORROW (SUNDAY). MR. AND

MRS. BECKENHAM WILL BE SEEN OFF BY

MR. PETER MILLER, CHAIRMAN OF THE LOCAL SECTION OF THE INSTITUTE AND CHIEF TRANSPORT OFFICER OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.

SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO BRITAIN EXTENDED TO INCLUDE MERCHANDISE ITEMS

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THE SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO BRITAIN, WHICH HAS BEEN RESTRICTED TO THE TRANSMISSION OF BUSINESS AND COMMERCIAL PAPERS, WILL BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE MERCHANDISE ITEMS FROM NOVEMBER 29 (MONDAY).

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE POST OFFICE SAID THIS SERVICE WOULD BE AVAILABLE ON A CONTRACT BASIS OR

ON DEMAND+,

+AFTER CUSTOMS CLEARANCE IN BRITAIN, ITEMS CONTAINING GOODS, EXCEPT THOSE WHICH REQUIRE +ENTRY DOCUMENTATION+, WILL BE DUE FOR DELIVERY ON THE SECOND DAY AFTER POSTING IN HONG KONG PROVIDED THAT THE CUSTOMS CHARGES INCURRED, IF ANY, DO NOT EXCEED 30 POUNDS STERLING, THE SPOKESMAN SAID. +WHERE THE CHARGES EXCEED 30 POUNDS STERLING, THE ADDRESSEE WILL BE ADVISED BY TELEPHONE THAT THE ITEM IS ON HAND, AND AVAILABLE FOR DELIVERY AFTER THE CUSTOMS CHARGES HAVE BEEN PAID.+

HE SAID THOSE THAT REQUIRED +ENTRY DOCUMENTATION+ WOULD BE RELEASED FOR DELIVERY AFTER THE APPROPRIATE DOCUMENTS HAD BEEN SUBMITTED TO CUSTOMS AUTHORITIES,

FOR A CONTRACT SPEEDPOST SERVICE, SENDERS SIGN A CONTRACT FOR A MINIMUM PERIOD OF THREE MONTHS, WITH A MINIMUM OF ONE REGULAR PREDETERMINED POSTING PER MONTH.

THE COST OF THE SERVICE IS A BASIC CHARGE OF HK$80 FOR THE FIRST POUND PLUS HK$15 FOR EACH ADDITIONAL POUND OR PART THEREOF. THIS INCLUDES PICKUP AT THE CUSTOMER'S PREMISES AT A TIME AGREED BY THE CUSTOMER, AND DELIVERY TO THE ADDRESSEE.

THE +ON DEMAND+ SERVICE IS PROVIDED TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF CASUAL USERS OF SPEEDPOST OR TO SUPPLEMENT A CUSTOMER'S CONTRACT SERVICE. +ON DEMAND+ ITEMS MAY BE HANDED IN AT THE SPECIALLY DESIGNATED COUNTERS AT GENERAL POST OFFICE, KOWLOON CENTRAL POST OFFICE AND TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE WITHOUT THE NEED TO MAKE PRIOR ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE POST OFFICE. FOR ON DEMAND+ ITEMS A FEE OF $20 IS PAYABLE IN ADDITION TO THE BASIC CHARGES.

CUSTOMERS WISHING MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SERVICE ARE ASKED TO CONTACT THE POST OFFICE REPRESENTATIVE ON 5-2671105.

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