Post_Office_1970-1971 — Page 6

INTRODUCTORY SUMMARY

THE Post Office Department operates postal services within the Colony and participates in worldwide exchanges of mail by land, sea and air. It is responsible for postal remittance services and for such administra- tive functions as telecommunications control and radio-wave regulation. The Postmaster General is the nominated Telecommunications Authority for Hong Kong under the Telecommunications Ordinance. The year under review saw the commencement of the Department's 130th year of operation.

2. 1970-71 was, as has now become usual, a record year. Inland mails increased especially and now exceed overseas mails as far as letter post is concerned.

3. Despite efforts to keep staff strength at the minimum consistent with satisfactorily operating the service, the number of employees in the Department rose for the first time above 2,000.

4.

1971 marked the sixtieth anniversary of the General Post Office in Pedder Street, one of the few remaining Edwardian architectural works of character in the Colony.

5. Three special issues of stamps made during the year were well received by the public.

STAFF

6. The permanent establishment of the Post Office was 2,004 of which 953 posts were pensionable. At Appendix IV staff increases are shown from 1961-62 to 1971-72.

7. The turnover in staff through resignations, retirements, transfers etc. was 155. Shown at Appendix IV is the turnover in respect of the major grades of clerical and uniformed staff during the past seven years.

8. Staff Changes

Retirement

Mr. C. G. FOLWELL, I.S.O., Postmaster General proceeded

on leave prior to retirement on 19th March, 1971.

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