ENG-1954 — Page 250

Post Office

HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT, 1954

In the year under review there was an increase of work in all branches of the Post Office and in the main Kowloon office it was necessary to obtain additional accommodation at the end of the year.

The heaviest bulk increase was in posted traffic, the total of 58,320,315 items representing an increase of 16% over the gross total of 50,289,554 items in 1953. Items received rose from 31,667,740 in 1953 to 34,692, 154 in 1954.

Registered items showed a record increase of 46%, from 2,192,118 items in 1953 to 3,196,070, whilst parcel traffic also rose by over 63% from 554,337 items in 1953 to 907,477. An increase of nearly 100% in air parcel traffic indicates the growing popularity of this service.

Christmas postings reached a new high record with 2,400,000 items as against 2,100,000 in 1953. Remit- tance services also increased. The value of Money Orders and Postal Orders issued and paid was $1,872,616 and $1,983,945 respectively, a

respectively, a total of $3,856,561 as against the previous year's total of $3,236,851.

Sales of postage and revenue stamps again provided a record with total value of $23,894,520 as against $20,972,759 in 1953.

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 station and radio

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