Post_Office_1950-1951 — Page 8

POSTAL TRAFFIC-GENERAL.

6. There was an increase in the number of bags of surface mail received at Hong Kong, from 105,296 in the previous year, to 106,943 during 1950/51. The number of mail bags despatched from Hong Kong increased from 88,984 bags in 1949/50 to 134,759 bags in 1950/51. This increase of over 51% is attributed to generally increased postings, and to abnormally high despatches, to Taiwan. Surface and air mails to Korea were suspended shortly after the outbreak of hostilities in Korea, but towards the end of 1950 restricted services were re-opened. Registration and parcel services to Korea had not been re-opened by the 31st March, 1951.

CHINA MAILS.

7. As from 1st April, 1950, all classes of mail were accepted for transmission to the mainland of China, with the exception of registered, insured and parcel services. There appears to be no prospect of an early resumption of registered, insured, parcel and air services to the mainland of China. Normal services by sea and air have been maintained with Taiwan (Formosa). There were no sea mails to Shanghai or Tientsin, but mails for Amoy and Swatow have been despatched by sea from Hong Kong. Mail to and from the mainland of China has been mainly confined to the rail route from Kowloon (Hong Kong) to Canton (China). Mails are exchanged daily but throughout the year mail sent by this route has had to be transferred by hand at the Chinese frontier to trains operating on the Chinese Section of the railway and vice versa, thus restricting the amount that can be exchanged.

AIR MAILS.

8. In general air mail traffic is still increasing, although the total number of bags despatched and received was less. This is accounted for by the total suspension of air mail services to the China mainland. Over 800 lbs. of air mail correspondence was despatched to other countries each day. The average weight of each despatch made up for London was, approximately, 200 lbs., representing some 13,000 letters.

SECOND-CLASS AIR MAIL.

9. Second-class air mail includes printed and commercial papers, small packets and samples. This service was extended in November, 1950, to Malaya and Great Britain. Further extensions of this service are contemplated.

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