Post_Office_1955-1956 — Page 14

36. Re-routing of despatches and the closing of new despatches to utilize new shipping lines to the best advantage continues to pose a problem which can only be solved by increased accommodation.

REGISTRATION AND INSURANCE

37. The total number of registered and insured items at 2,392,650 was not only the highest ever recorded but exceeded the previous record of 1950/51 by nearly 100,000 items. In- creases over 1954/55 were recorded in Posted, Received and Transit items, the aggregate increase totalling 150,851 items. Comparative figures for the past six years are as follows:

Number of items handled

Year

1950/51

1951/52

1952/53

1953/54

1954/55

1955/56

2,293,079

2,141,066

2,162,206

2,174,004

2,241,799

2,392,650

Lack of accommodation still necessitates suspension of the registration and insurance services to the China Mainland.

FORCES' MAIL

38. Mail for Naval, Army and Air Force Units continued to be dealt with by the Fleet Mail Office and British Army Post Office acting in close liaison with this Department.

39. During the year a direct despatch of Air and Surface parcels from Hong Kong to British Army Post Office, Kure, was inaugurated in order to expedite delivery of such mail to Commonwealth Forces in Korea.

40. Mail arrangements for visiting foreign warships continued in liaison with their respective national postal Administrations.

7