Sessional_Paper_1890 — Page 154

151

No.

1

00.

HONGKONG.

THE ACTING POSTMASTER GENERAL'S REPORT FOR 1889.

Presented to the Legislative Council, by Command of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government.

GENERAL POST OFFICE, HONGKONG, February 6th, 1890.

SIR,—I have the honour to forward herewith a Report on the work of this Department during 1889, prepared by Mr. TRAVERS, who was in charge of the Department during that year.

2. Having been absent from the Post Office throughout the whole period under report, I am not in a position to add anything to the facts submitted by Mr. TRAVERS. I would ask permission, however, to urge upon the Government the importance of his representations as to the necessity for a new building. The existing premises were apparently as closely packed as possible when I left for Europe in 1888, but they are even worse now. The bad air which pervades the whole building, and which no doubt arises mainly from the shockingly overcrowded servants' quarters attached, makes service here a severe trial to all except those in the most robust health, whilst the facilities with which the public might reasonably expect to be provided are seriously curtailed from the want of the smallest margin in the way of room. Several important improvements are standing over, as they have been for years, from mere lack of space.

3. The site for the new building should, I think, be that at present occupied, with the sites of the Supreme Court and Land Office. I trust that the mistake will not be made of cutting down the accommodation provided to what will just, and only just, suffice for the service as it is. It would be well worth while to include several suites of extra rooms, and to let them as offices. As, in the course of years, they came to be required, the tenants could be got rid of and the rooms gradually converted to Government purposes.

4. It gives me much pleasure to testify to the ability with which the work of the Department has been carried on by Mr. TRAVERS during my long absence, and to the state of efficiency in which I find it on my return. I know from past experience how heavy a task is imposed on any one who attempts to conduct this Department as the only English officer in it. The mere strain on endurance and physical strength in this exhausting climate is often very severe, and Mr. TRAVERS is to be congratu- lated on having (I fear at some sacrifice of health) conducted the Department alone for eighteen months without occasion for serious complaint of any kind.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

The Honourable F. FLEMING, C.M.G.

Colonial Secretary, &c.,

&c.,

&c.

A. LISTER

Postmaster General.

GENERAL POST OFFICE, HONGKONG, 31st January, 1890,

SIR,-I have the honour to report on the British Postal Service in Hongkong and China during the year 1889.

2. The date on which this Report has to be sent in makes it impossible to detail the Revenue of the Department for 1889, which will not be definitely ascertained for some months to come.

The Revenue for 1888 was as follows:-

Gross Revenue 1888,

Deficit,

.$148,106.89 16,345.81

Share of United Kingdom,.. Contribution towards P. & O. subsidy*$69,041.09 Share of other Countries,

.$46,782.26

$ 5,502.91

Conveyance of Mails,

Working Expenses,

$ 6,718.30 .$36,408.14

$164,452.70

$164,452.70

3. Approximate Statistics for the year 1889 are appended. They show a general increase of correspondence.

* 11⁄2 years at £6,000 a year.