ENG-1951 — Page 123

postal orders $769,037, which represented a 52% general increase over

1950.

Sales of postage and revenue stamps during 1951 amounted to $15,346,139. This was a fall from the 1950 record figure of $17,048,110.

Licensing

The Radio Licensing and Inspection Office, under the control of the Postmaster General, issues all types of radio licences ranging from domestic broadcast receiving licences to amateur wireless stations' and radio dealers' licences.

This office also conducts examinations for the Postmaster General's Certificate of Proficiency in Wireless Telegraphy and in addition undertakes the survey and inspection of ship and aircraft wireless

stations.

Another function of the Radio Licensing & Inspection Office is the enforcement of the regulations made under the International Telecommunication Convention (Atlantic City 1947) and the Hong Kong Telecommunications Ordinance.

A close liaison is maintained between the Hong Kong Communi- cations Board, the Hong Kong Frequency Assignment Committee and the Radio Licensing & Inspection Office on all matters affecting the Colony's internal and external telecommunications.

Many commercial firms-chiefly stevedoring concerns have been licensed, after their schemes were submitted for approval by the General Post Office, to operate very high frequency radiotelephony circuits between their offices and harbour craft.

A similar scheme connecting several mobile units with three fixed stations in the New Territories was approved for the China Light & Power Co., and has proved very successful.

The Radio Licensing & Inspection office has also assisted the Department of Commerce and Industry in regulating the import and export of telecommunications equipment.

Telecommunications

Cable and Wireless Ltd. continued its policy of expansion in Hong Kong during 1951. The Company is responsible for all telegraph and radiophone services between Hong Kong and overseas countries in addition to ship-shore radio services. It is also responsible for the technical maintenance and development of the Colony's broad- casting and aeradio services.

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