ENG-1952 — Page 192

HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT, 1952

A radio facsimile service is available to and from Singapore and London. During the year radio pictures covering notable events in the Colony, particularly the Royal Visit in October, were sent to newspapers in Singapore and the United Kingdom.

Modernization of the Colony's aeradio commu- nications system continued and the Company was responsible for the installation of seven new, modern transmitters at Hung Hom aeradio transmitting station. In addition a new aeradio beacon was installed at Cheung Chau Island and was opened for service in December. The aeradio V.H.F. communications system is being refitted with modern equipment.

V.H.F. equipment, especially designed for a Harbour radiophone/exchange scheme, has arrived and is being tested. By means of this equipment it will be possible for ships anchored in the Harbour, or small craft on mobile services, to be connected to the public telephone exchange or to any private fixed station.

The inland telegram service which was opened between Cheung Chau Inland and Hong Kong in 1951, was extended for operation to any destination in Hong Kong, Kowloon and the mainland New Territories on the 21st July, 1952. This new service is growing in popularity, and 1,646 inland telegrams were handled from the opening of the full service in July until the end of the year.

During 1952 several new facilities for the despatch of telegrams were made available. A new sub-office was opened at Hennessy Road, Wanchai, bringing the total number of sub-offices to seven. A phonogram service has been provided whereby telegrams for transmission may be telephoned to Electra House after business hours. A pre-war service was revived

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