Post_Office_1964-1965 — Page 7

FOREWORD

ONCE again it is my pleasure to report on the activities of the Post Office Department for the year ended 31st March, 1965.

2. The year has been one of continuous growth in practically all fields of our activities, the growth in some cases being substantial.

3. Our development programme has maintained the pace set in 1963-64, seven new offices being opened during the year and con- struction of others, including the new Kowloon Central Office, reaching an advanced stage. The total number of offices in operation at the end of the year was 42, this total not including the two mobile offices or the main sorting centres. Construction of apparatus for mechanical loading and unloading of mail at the new pier on the central reclama- tion also neared completion and preliminary discussions took place on the new General Post Office and the new Colony Sorting Office.

4. Revenue showed an increase of almost $4 million to $82,385,666.78 and the total business turnover an increase of just under $14 million to over $178 million.

5. A total of 1,225,660 postal orders were issued and paid during the year with a record value of $51,142,505.35, an increase of nearly $7 million over the previous year.

6. Mail figures increased in every category, first and second class surface mail being up by 8.1% and mail delivered in the colony by 6.7%. Air mail, first and second class, showed an increase of 11% and air parcel traffic a substantial increase of 25.9%. Surface parcel traffic also increased by 12.8% and registered items by 11.4%.

7. 53 additional postmen were placed on delivery duties during the year and provisions made for yet further deliveries to be instituted to serve new areas or relieve deliveries which had become heavy due to development. 39 additional posting boxes were also installed.

8. The total of private boxes available to the public at the end of the year was 11,785.

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