ENG-1956 — Page 276

COMMUNICATIONS

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first time in the history of the Post Office it was necessary to engage temporary mail-handling staff in the rush period. The extension of remittance services to selected Branch Post Offices was fully justified, the total of money orders and postal orders issued and paid amounting to a record figure of $4,998,168, or $776,062 over the 1955 record of $4,222, 106.

Revenue receipts also created a record by exceeding $30,000,000 for the first time. Actual collections amounted to $30,340,373 as against $26,553,869 in 1955.

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. The number of broadcasting licences in force on 31st December was 58,737 with 532 other licences.

The Office conducts examinations for the Postmaster General's Certificate for Proficiency in Wireless Telegraphy, and undertakes the survey and inspection of ships' and air- craft wireless stations. Another function is the enforcement of the regulations made under the International Telecom- munication Convention (Atlantic City, 1947) and the Hong Kong Telecommunications Ordinance.

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

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Telegraph and radio-telephone services between Hong Kong and overseas, telegraph and radio-telephone services with ships at sea, and а V.H.F. Harborfone service with ships anchored in the Port of Victoria are the responsi- bility of Cable & Wireless, Ltd. The Company also provides a service for internal telegrams throughout the Colony, and