Post_Office_1957-1958 — Page 11

over the Estimate. $1,319,009.92 of this excess was due to increased postage collections.

18. Revenue from the Wireless Licensing Section for the year was $2,399,781.33, showing an increase of $215,655.83 over the previous

year.

19. Expenditure reached $18,734,483.01, exceeding the Estimate by $1,719,873.01. This increased expenditure was due to increased charges: against conveyance of airmails, conveyance of surface mails and parcel post.

20. The only increases in postage rates during the year were in various parcel charges. The increases were unavoidable and entirely due to increased rates claimed by other administrations, coupled with general increases in freight charges. No increase was made in the Hong Kong dues.

21. A further stamp selling machine was installed in the public hall opposite the stamp counter of the new Sheung Wan Post Office on 5th February, 1958, and has proved very popular. It has helped in no small way to relieve the pressure at the counters as many people coming to the counters only require a ten cent stamp.

STAMPS

22. In the Government Gazette of 7th February, 1958, it was announced that preparations were being made for a new issue of Hong Kong postage stamps in 1962, preceded by a special commemorative issue to mark the centenary of the first Hong Kong stamp of 1862. Government is organizing during 1958 a competition open to all comers for designs on which the final drawings for the new issues may be based. The latest date for submitting designs will be 31st December, 1958. The designs will be judged by a Committee under the Chairman- ship of the Postmaster General.

23. Seven designs are required as follows:

Commemorative Issue

A single common design for the denominations of 10, 20 and 40 cents.

Stamps to be size 39 mm. x 25 mm. in either horizontal or vertical format.

The design must be indicative of the occasion and include the Royal portrait and Crown.

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