Post_Office_1957-1958 — Page 21

New Territories, is provided by a number of automatic satellite ex- changes.

86. In 1957 a new major exchange of 12,000 lines to serve the Western area of Victoria was brought into service, together with a 600 line exchange in Aberdeen.

87. Equipment was ordered for two new major exchanges to be built in Mong Kok and Kowloon City, of 7,000 and 8,000 lines respectively. These exchanges are scheduled for completion in December 1959,

88. Apart from the new major exchange in the Western District, a number of extensions were installed during the year to existing major exchanges. The Company's system now comprises some 54,000 direct exchange lines and 22,000 extensions, making approximately 76,000 stations.

89. Charges remained amongst the lowest in the world, at HK$300 per annum for a business line and $225 per annum for a residential line, local calls being unlimited in number and free of charge.

OTHER COMMUNICATIONS

90. Messrs. Cable & Wireless Limited are responsible for all tele- graph and radiotelephone services between Hong Kong and countries overseas, for telegraph and radiotelephone services with ships at sea and for a V.H.F. radiotelephone service with ships in Hong Kong harbour. In addition, they maintain the internal telegram service.

91. The Company is also responsible for the technical maintenance of the Colony's aeradio and meteorological radio services, the Govern- ment broadcasting service and the V.H.F. communications of various Government departments.

92. The despatch, reception and relaying of telegrams is the Company's principal business. The number of telegrams handled, in- cluding those in transit, is approximately 2,500,000 a year. The telegraphic communications of the Colony are well served by several deep sea cables linked to the Company's world-wide network of 142,500 miles of submarine cables and by 16 direct, high speed, wireless tele- graph circuits working with other centres in the Far East and beyond. During the year one new radiotelegraph circuit was opened to Okinawa.

93. The overseas radiotelephone services, worked in collaboration with the Hong Kong Telephone Company Limited, continued to expand. During the year new services were opened with Kenya and Portugal.

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