Sessional_Paper_1908 — Page 338

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the

DEAD LETTER OFFICE.

17. The total number of all articles returned to and despatched from Hongkong during year 1907 amounted to 79,222, viz., 37,354 of the former and 41,868 of the latter showing an increase of 7,554 on the total of the previous year (Table VII). Of the former, those originating in Hongkong, it was possible to return to the senders 10,747.

18. Enclosed in 47 of these unregistered returned letters, there were found articles of value, Bank Notes, Bank Drafts, Cheques, Money Orders, etc. These when possible were subjected to registration and returned to the senders.

19. The following correspondence failed to be delivered in Hongkong, ris., Received from abroad-Letters 11,993, Post Cards 1,453, Other Articles 7,011-Locally, Letters 1,595, Post Cards 137, Other Articles 1,959.

20. There were found among the unregistered letters posted locally 75 containing coin, principally small amounts, These were nearly all Chinese letters and were returned to senders whenever possible.

21. Thirty-five post cards were posted bearing no address, and very many of them lacked the senders' names. Fifty post cards bearing imitations of postage stamps addressed to places in the United Kingdom had to be withdrawn owing to the entry of such cards into the United Kingdom being prohibited. These were returned when the senders' names and addresses could be ascertained.

22. On account of a regulation made on 28th November the following number of letters and circulars concerning lotteries were stopped and returned :-

Shanghai Watch Club...

German Lottery Circulars

PILLAR BOXES.

249.

.128.

23. The total number of articles collected during the year from all pillar boxes was 168,496 against 122,899 in 1906 and 92,170 in 1905. Special postmen are detailed for the work of clearing these letter boxes.

CHINESE BRANCH.

24. The total number of Chinese registered articles delivered by the Chinese Branch at the General Post Office was 162,920 of which 103,793 were from the United States of America and Canada and 59,127 from China and other countries showing a total increase compared with the year 1906 of 20,472. The amount of ordinary correspondence dealt with has also largely increased.

POSTAL HONG LICENCES.

25. Thirty-eight Postal Hong licences and 120 licences to letter carriers were issued during the year. These numbers show a decrease of 6 Hong licences and 36 letter carrier licences. The decrease is due to the increased rate of postage on Hong Packets to and from Canton which was raised to 4 cents per half ounce. The Hongs are still in the habit of smuggling their letters on board steamers, instead of sending them through the Post Office for transmission. An appreciable increase in the number of Hong Packets received by the Post Office for transmission to Shanghai was due to one of these hongs being caught smug- gling and fined $200 by the Police Magistrate and having its licence cancelled.

WESTERN BRANCH POST OFFICE.

26. The amount of correspondence sent between this Branch Office and Canton was: Despatched 485,563 letters, 1,214 other articles and 4,647 registered articles; Received 622745 letters, 6,730 other articles and 3,390 registered articles. This is a total increase compared with last year of 531,788 letters and other articles and 4,637 registered articles. In addition to the above 14,651 Hong Packets were despatched and 19,577 received. I he revenue of the sale of stamps amounted to $43,928.38 compared with $14,724.20 in the previous year.