HONG KONG
ANNUAL DEPARTMENTAL REPORT
BY THE
PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FOR THE
FINANCIAL YEAR 1952 - 53
PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY THE ACTING GOVERNMENT PRINTER,
HONG KONG.
Policy:
PART I-GENERAL
In the year under review the reorganization of the Department detailed in the Report for 1951-1952 was con- solidated and carried a stage further. There are no spectacular changes to record. Rather, the year has seen a steady and ordered progress towards maximum efficiency in both the Public Relations and Broadcasting Divisions.
Stuff:
2.
The News and Talks Editor of Radio Hong Kong left the Colony on expiry of his contract at the end of July 1952 and, as already planned, the post was then abolished, the preparation of radio news bulletins now being handled by the editorial staff of the Press Section of the Public Relations Division. By the end of the year two of the three-sub-editors (Assistant Press Officers) necessary to deal with both the increased volume of ordinary press material and the daily preparation of a greater number of Radio News Bulletins were handling the work most successfully. The engagement of a third sub-editor (as from 1st April, 1953) will, however, reduce the pressure and simplify the arrangement of an equitable duty roster with due allowance for adequate rest periods, holidays, sickness, etc.
3. A number of Press Translators who are responsible, among other duties, for the preparation of Chinese news bulletins have also been engaged. It is the policy gradually to replace all General Service Clerks presently doing translation work with officers of the Press Translator grade. General Service Clerks now doing the work are, of course, eligible for promotion to the higher grade if their qualifications are such as to warrant the up-grading.
4. The Radio Hong Kong team was greatly strengthened by the arrival in August on 3 years secondment from the B.B.C. of Mr. Donald Brooks, to fill the new post of Senior Programme
1
Assistant. Mr. Brooks is virtually in charge of the entire pro- gramme output of the English-language Station and his arrival has freed the Controller of Broadcasting from much time- consuming routine work in connexion with the preparation of programmes.
5. Similarly, the Chinese Station strength has been increased by the return to the Colony after a 3 years' tour of duty with the Chinese section of the B.B.C's Overseas Services of Mr. Eddie Au Yeung. During his first months back in the Colony Mr. Au Yeung has been working in the Press section of the Public Relations Office, reorganizing methods of preparing Chinese News Bulletins and generally guiding the Chinese editorial staff in radio techniques.
6. Mrs. E. N. Davis, Assistant Public Relations Officer, returned from long leave in April, 1952, and Mr. Li Shiu Leung returned in July after attending a 12 months course in film production in Cyprus organized by the Colonial Film Unit.
Premises:
7. The premises occupied by both the Public Relations and Broadcasting Divisions-in the Gloucester Building and Electra House respectively-proved adequate for all current needs. But there is every indication that if broadcasting continues to develop, the office accommodation available to Radio Hong Kong in Electra House may shortly prove inadequate. Storage space (e.g. record library) is particularly tight and it is quite evident that whereas the studios are likely to meet all needs for several years to come, considerable ingenuity will have to be exercised if projected additions to the administrative and programme staff are to be accommodated comfortably.
8.
Plans for a Government Film Censorship Theatre in the Gloucester Building were finally completed, and it is hoped that the Theatre will come into operation early in 1954.
2
Relations with the Public:
9. In addition to handling an ever-increasing volume and diversity of inquiries from the people of Hong Kong the Public Relations Division is doing more and more to assist visitors to the Colony-i.e. visitors other than journalists, broadcasters, writers, photographers, etc. which have always been a first responsibility of the Department.
10. For example, tour programmes for two groups of American students were arranged in the summer of 1952. The programmes included visits to factories, markets, agricultural areas, schools and welfare centres.
11. Representatives of the General Federation of Women's Clubs visited the Colony in January and the programme arranged for them included visits to the Hong Kong Women's International Club and the new Chinese Y.W.C.A. which had just been officially opened. At these Clubs visitors were met and entertained by ladies of the respective Club Committee. Many individual visitors to the Colony were also assisted during the year.
Visit of H.R.H. The Duchess of Kent:
12. Outstanding among the Colony's visitors during the year were Their Royal Highnesses the Duchess of Kent and her son, The Duke of Kent, who, in October, spent almost a week in the Colony at the conclusion of their tour of British Possessions in the Far East. Preparations for the Royal Visit naturally involved the Department in more than usual activity- particularly with regard to Press arrangements. These are detailed in paragraphs 25-27.
Public Relations Officers Conference:
13. The Public Relations Officer attended a Regional Con- ference of British Information Officers and Public Relations Officers in South East Asia which was held in Singapore in · January, 1953.
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Booklet about Hong Kong:
14. In July, 1952, financial approval was given to a project for producing a simple but high-quality booklet to tell Hong Kong's story in words and pictures to people in other parts of the world. A minimum distribution of 50,000 copies is envisaged. To assist the collection of suitable material for inclusion in the booklet the Department sponsored a photo- graphic competition, open to all photographers in the Colony whether amateur or professional, with a first prize of $500 and twelve other cash prizes. More than 1,000 photographs were submitted-many of an extremely high standard. A similar competition, with a like first prize, for a cover design for the booklet was announced simultaneously. Almost 100 entries were received in this contest, the winning design being submitted by an artist in a local advertising agency.
15. Pressure of work owing to preparation of the Colony's Coronation celebrations has set back the production of the booklet, and it is now planned to publish towards the end of 1953 or early in 1954.
Colony's Annual Report:
16. As in previous years, the illustrations for the Hong Kong Annual Report for 1952 were selected and edited by the Public Relations Office. Quite a few of the prize winning entries and other photographs submitted to the competition were included in the Report.
Coronation Celebrations:
17. The Public Relations Officer was Chairman of a Publicity Sub-Committee to advise the Hong Kong General Coronation Committee on publicity in connexion with local celebrations of Her Majesty the Queen's Coronation in June, 1953. Leading members of Hong Kong's Press, advertising and cinema world served on the Committee, together with represen- tatives of the British Council, Rediffusion and H.M. Forces. Work on the preparation of material commenced in December,
4
1952, since in addition to normal and press broadcast publicity a number of booklets, posters and films were included in the Colony's scheme. In theme, this publication material was aimed at the young people in the Colony to help them to understand the significance of the Coronation. Thus, material produced
included:
(a) A pictorial folder in 4-colours in which by means of a very few words and a great many pictures the Coronation was explained in very simple fashion. The reverse of the folder opened out to some 40 inches wide and bore an artist's impression of the Coronation Procession on June 2nd. Designed by the Central Office of Information, London, the folder was printed locally in both Chinese and English editions. In order that every child of school age would receive a copy nearly half a million were distributed. In addition to the Colony's own requirements, Chinese editions and blanks for overprinting in other languages were printed in Hong Kong on behalf of adjacent territories.
(b) A 24-page Magazine entitled "This Family of 600 millions," which explained the unity of the Commonwealth, was distributed to older school children. Produced by C.O.I., London, the Chinese edition of 65,000 was overprinted in Hong Kong. Both this edition and the English edition contained an 8-page Coronation Supplement produced entirely locally.
(c) The Colony produced its own official portrait of Her Majesty the Queen in a form suitable for framing. A coloured photograph by Miss Dorothy Wilding was selected. 10,000 copies were produced, the bulk of which were distributed free to schools, hospitals, Government Departments, welfare organiza- tions, etc. A number were also available for sale to the general
public at $2 each.
(d) A large coloured wall-sheet poster, size 40′′ × 30′′, depicting aspects of the Coronation and specially suitable for schools, was locally overprinted in Chinese, as were a number of other smaller posters illustrating various facets of British Ceremonial.
LO
5
(e) An illustrated Souvenior Programme of the local cele- brations with a colour cover was produced for sale to the public.
(f) All school children were invited to visit local cinemas, at the Government's expense, to see a special programme of films dealing with the Royal Family, the Commonwealth and the Coronation. The programme consisted of 3 black-and-white films; "Royal Destiny," "The Coronation Ceremony" and "The Colonies and Britain," and a technicolour film "Royal Heritage". The commentaries of the 3 black-and-white films were translated into Chinese and the Cantonese sound-track was "dubbed" on to the film locally.
The best thanks of the Public Relations Officer are due to the members of the Advisory Sub-Committee and to all the writers, artists, printers, film workers, etc. who co-operated magnificently in ensuing that the Colony's publicity material was of the very highest possible standard.
6
PART II-PUBLIC RELATIONS DIVISION
Press Section
18. With the advent of additional staff the activities of the Press Section and the routine output of material increased vastly during the year. The Section is headed by the Press Officer and the establishment consists of 3 Assistant Press Officers (only two had been recruited by the end of March, 1953), 6 Translators whose work is to translate from English to Chinese and vice versa, 2 Chinese Copyists and 2 Typists.
Services to the Press:
19. The two most important functions of the Section are the preparation of the Daily Information Bulletin which gives news of official affairs and the editing of News Bulletins for broadcast by Radio Hong Kong. In addition, the Department edits and distributes to the local press the London Press Service prepared by the editorial department of the Central Office of Information, London. It also prepares a daily Press Summary of items of interest in the vernacular press translated into English, which is circulated to various Government departments and which is restricted in so far that it is designed primarily to inform departmental heads of what is being said by the local press about their respective organizations, the actions and policies of Government and other items of general interest to the Chinese section of the community but which may not be reported at length in the English language press.
20. Special feature articles on a wide variety of United Kingdom topics prepared by writers commissioned by C.O.I. find moderately good acceptance in the local press. Increasing use is being made of the Department's Photographic Library for both United Kingdom and Commonwealth photographs supplied through C.O.I. and local news photographers commissioned by
7
the Department. In addition to photographs, the Department prepares for press use simplified plans, sketch maps and scale drawings to amplify and explain text.
21. The Department's system of distribution of material to the press is employed by the Public Relations Officers of the three arms of H.M. Forces stationed in the Colony, with whom the Press Officer works in close liaison.
22. Use by the local press of all varieties of material can be summarized thus:
No. of Items No. of Items
Issued
Used
Total No. of Acceptances
by Local Press
Average Use Per Item Accepted
1,150
1,664
116
48
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
1,150
10,208
LONDON PRESS SERVICE
645
8.88
921
1.43
ARMED SERVICES RELEASES
114
525
4.6
C.O.I. FEATURE ARTICLES
48
PHOTOGRAPHS
48
1.0
(including plans, maps and sketch drawings)
P.R.O.
C.O.I.
103
367
238
384
2.31
1.05
23. The majority of photographs produced by the Public Relations Office were of a local topical nature and so found popularity with the Colony's daily press. The C.O.I. material- much of which is of the "feature" type (e.g. stories told in a series of pictures)-found its way mainly into the Colony's several pictorial magazines.
8
00
Radio News:
24. As from the beginning of July, 1952, the Press Section undertook the preparation of all locally originated news bulletins broadcast by Radio Hong Kong English and Chinese language Stations. The innovation is working smoothly and 3 bulletins daily are produced in both languages, starting with a bulletin of news headlines specially angled for troops stationed in the Colony which is broadcast at 7 a.m.
Press arrangements for Royal Visit:
25. The visit to the Colony in October 1952 of Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent and her son, the Duke of Kent, gave considerable work to the section in the provision of adequate press arrangements. Her Royal Highness was fully occupied with official engagements throughout her 5-day visit and it was essential that the maximum facilities be given to the press without disruption of the Royal programme and the minimum of inconvenience to participants in the functions, and to members of the general public.
26. In the weeks preceding the Royal party's arrival much thought was given to the various problems involved, and special press stands and positions were devised for quite a number of functions. The results justified the time taken in planning and the press secured excellent coverage of all aspects of the tour. Not a little of this successful outcome can be attributed to the most gracious and most helpful co-operation of Her Royal Highness herself, who never once overlooked the requirements of press men assigned to the various functions. On a number of occasions H.R.H. posed specially for press photographers.
27. It was necessary on a few occasions to operate a form of photographic pool-i.e. a group of official photographers acting directly under the Public Relations Office. All photo- graphs taken by the pool were immediately made available free of charge to any newspaper, magazine or news agency wishing copies. Similarly, the P.R.O. and Press Officer described for the benefit of the press several of the more restricted social functions arranged in Her Royal Highness' honour at which,
9
usually because of limitation of space, press participation was utterly impossible. The arrangements worked well and gen- erally speaking were much appreciated by both local press and foreign correspondents, including those who had accompanied H.R.H. throughout the tour.
Press Visitors:
28. The Colony had its usual quota of itinerant newspaper- men and publicists visiting it through the year. More than 100 of all nationalities, American predominating, were seen by the Department and given facilities during their stay in the Colony. The majority of such visitors remained in Hong Kong for only 2 or 3 days.
29. During the summer of 1952 two representatives of the National Geographic Society of America, Mr. George Long, writer, and Mr. J. Baylor Roberts, photographer, spent in all about 6 weeks in the Colony securing material for a comprehen- sive survey of Hong Kong to be published in the Society's magazine.
Press Conferences:
30. During the year 8 Press Conferences were held. Those who gave Conferences included Mr. Malcolm MacDonald, Com- missioner General for the United Kingdom in South East Asia; Mr. S. Polak on the work of the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund; Mr. F. H. Read, Principal of East London Technical College, on technical education; Mr. Jack Ling, Public Relations Officer of the Asian Regional Office of U.N.I.C.E.F., and a number of local heads of departments on a variety of topics ranging from an appeal for donors to the Colony's blood bank, to balloting for bathing huts on the beaches.
Facility Visits:
31. The number of press facility visits arranged by the Press Section increased throughout the year, and reporters and photographers went on more than eighty such visits which often
10
enabled them to attend functions and visit works of interest to which the press would not normally be invited, but about which information is definitely in the public interest. In many cases, particularly in visits to outlying areas, official transport was provided.
Two particularly successful visits were to the squatter re-settlement areas and to the Tai Lam Chung reservoir site.
Visit to United Kingdom:
32. In September, 1952, the first staff member of a Hong Kong English-language newspaper, Mr. Steve B. Neoh, left for the United Kingdom as local representative on a month's tour of Great Britain arranged for overseas journalists by the Central Office of Information. (A number of newspapermen from the Chinese press had already taken part in this scheme in previous years.) Whilst in London, Mr. Neoh made two broadcasts in the B.B.C.'s "London Calling Asia" programme and, on his return to Hong Kong, wrote of his experiences in the "South China Morning Post."
Advertising, Display, Distribution & Films Section
33. The work of this Section continued to expand through- out the year under review, particularly in the production of posters in the vernacular, and the distribution of films.
Government Advertising:
34. Although increasing use is made by Government Departments of press advertising, every possible measure is taken to secure maximum effect with the utmost economy. During the year 1952-53, a total of 494 different advertisements were placed in five leading newspapers (two English-language, three Chinese) at a total cost of $110,873.62, or approximately an average cost of $224 per notice. This compares favourably with the 1951-52 expenditure of $99,892.75 for 435 advertise- ments of approximately $229 per notice.
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35. A new device to economize in advertisements appealing mainly to either English speaking or Chinese speaking sections of the Community was tried out during the year. Government notices addressed mainly to the English speaking community are now published in full only in the English-language press, whilst a brief notice is published in the vernacular newspapers. The reverse procedure is adopted where the main notice is addressed primarily to the Chinese-speaking community.
Visual Display and Distribution:
36. Five coloured posters have been produced by the Public Relations Office on behalf of Government Departments during the year. Two of these posters, one for the anti-smallpox cam- paign and one for the anti-diphtheria campaign, were produced for the Medical Department. Two anti-rabies posters, one for urban areas and another for rural areas, were produced for the Urban Council; and a U.N.E.S.C.O. Exhibition poster was produced on behalf of the Education Department.
37. The production of Chinese editions of the large photo posters designed by C.O.I. for use in schools continues, and twelve of these posters were printed and distributed during the year.
38. C.O.I. continues to supply much valuable material in the shape of posters, picture sets, illustrated maps, booklets and pamphlets. Reference material from the same source is also appreciated in the Department's Library, which is now begin- ning to assume reasonable dimensions and is increasingly proving its worth.
39. As already mentioned in paragraph 17, the closing months of the year saw much activity in the provision of material for the Coronation of Her Majesty the Queen.
Films:
40. During the year under review 2,531 films were borrowed from the Library and were seen by audiences totalling, according to recorded figures, some 446,000. From an average
12
of about 150 films borrowed per month and seen by some 20,000 people in April 1952, figures had risen by March 1953 to over 200 films borrowed and seen by nearly 40,000 people.
41. The increasing popularity of the Department's film borrowing service is putting a considerable strain on the resources of the Library. New films are not coming forward fast enough to meet the demands of would-be borrowers, and "fair wear and tear" is taking such a toll of stock as to make it increasingly evident that many of the films now in the Library will have to be replaced with new copies.
42. So far, little production work has been attempted but with the co-operation of Yung Hwa Studios a very successful cinema trailer was made for the Medical Department in con- nexion with the anti-diphtheria campaign. The same Studios also made, on behalf of the Department, a cinematic record of the Duchess of Kent's visit in October. Sections of this film were used in "British News" and distributed throughout the world, and were also televised by the B.B.C. A 16 mm. record of the visit was made by the Department's own cameraman, Mr. Li Shiu Leung.
43. Mr. Li, who returned to Hong Kong in May, 1952, from an eleven month's course with the Colonial Film Unit in Cyprus, has been engaged almost full time since his return in assisting visiting cameramen, both still and film. Individuals and units with whom Mr. Li has worked during the year include "Life" Magazine, National Geographic Society, Dudley Films Corpora- tion, U.S.A., March of Time, B.O.A.C. Film Unit, etc.
Photography:
44. More and more still photography is being undertaken by the Department and copyright-free photographs supplied to the local press, foreign picture agencies and British Information Offices throughout the world. Several such photographs have appeared in leading magazines and newspapers in various countries. Big enlargements, size 30" x 20", of local scenes
13
were sent to London for display on the Hong Kong stand at the B.I.F. 1953, and to America for a Commonwealth Exhibition arranged at Houston, Texas.
45. Further development of both film and still photography must, of necessity, be on a restricted scale until such time as the Department has its own Photographic Unit under the supervision of a competent technical Officer.
Film Censorship Section
46. Film censorship continues to be administered by the Public Relations Officer in his capacity as Secretary to both the Film Censoring Panel and the Films Appeal Board.
47. The composition of the Film Censoring Panel remains unchanged with three full-time salaried censors, one being Chinese. The Chief Censor allots duties according to the nature of the film submitted for censorship. Straightforward enter- tainment films are usually seen by a single censor but doubtful ones are viewed by two and sometimes by all three censors.
48. Appendices A and B on pages 19 & 20 give a summary of films censored.
Censorship Theatre:
49. Various difficulties encountered with plans to equip a small Government theatre in the Gloucester Building have now been overcome and as soon as financial approval is given, work will be begun on the theatre. It is hoped to complete this about three months after the date on which work commences.
50. The China Fleet Club Theatre has been used through- out the year except for a few 3-D films which have been censored in the theatres where they are to be shown, as the China Fleet Club machines are incapable of taking the large 3-D reels.
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General:
PART III-BROADCASTING DIVISION
51. The year under review was exceptionally busy for Radio Hong Kong. Certain major broadcasts, not attempted in times gone by, are now accepted as yearly routine commit- ments, in both English and Chinese. These include the Queen's Birthday Parade, the Governor's Review of the Year to the Legislative Council, the Hong Kong Products Exhibition, and a special talk by the Financial Secretary on the Colony's Budget, etc. In addition to these there were, during the year, outside broadcasts covering the visit of Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, the New Territories Agricultural Show, the opening of the Grantham Training College, the Cross Harbour Race (done by special "walkee-talkee" link), the Annual Review of the Hong Kong Police Force and the Annual Parade of St. John Ambulance Brigade.
52. The broadcast coverage, in two languages simul- taneously, of the arrival of the Duchess of Kent at Kai Tak and later at Queen's Pier was an intricate operation which involved techniques and dispositions never before used by Radio Hong Kong.
53. For the first time in the history of the Colony, nine candidates contesting election to the Urban Council were each given five minutes to address electors in both English and Chinese. These broadcasts were taken as direct relays by Rediffusion.
54. The recruitment for Z.E.K. of a qualified Programme Assistant who returned to Hong Kong after 3 years with the Chinese Section of the B.B.C., and on the English side, a Senior Programme Assistant on secondment from the B.B.C. for three years were particularly welcome appointments, since under- staffing has always been one of Radio Hong Kong's serious
15
problems.
This increase in staff has had immediate effect on the programme output and it has been possible to broadcast a greater number of 'live' programmes, produced either in the studios at Electra House, or in the open air.
Z. E. K. (Chinese Station)
55. The policy of broadening the scope and improving the quality of programmes was intensified during the year.
56. Considerable attention was paid to the broadcasting of a wider range of local events by means of feature programmes produced in the studios, and outside broadcasts, broadcast or recorded from the actual spot. Notable programmes in this category were: a Chinese New Year Round-up, an exhibition of mechanized junks in Aberdeen, the Agricultural Exhibition at Yuen Long and a special concert by young musicians, which was organized in conjunction with the Education Department.
57. Big events, such as the visit of the Duchess of Kent, the opening of the 10th Exhibition of Hong Kong Products, and the Queen's Birthday Parade were covered as a matter of course in conjunction with ZBW-i.e. two complete broadcasting teams were out on location at the same time, and commentaries on the events were done in Chinese and English simultaneously, to be read into each transmitter.
58. The use of ZEK for the broadcasting in dramatic form of Government information and advice on everyday subjects of interest and value to the average citizen was extended during the year, and a number of features were broadcast for the Police on how to deal with the wiles of confidence tricksters, on the advantages and correct use of '999', and on everyday Safety First measures. In the two last-named series, the dramatic interest and verisimilitude were increased by the use of actuality material recorded on the spot. The Safety First programme was, in fact, in series of commentaries recorded during peak periods in traffic. On behalf of the Medical
16
Department, ZEK prepared and broadcast a special feature called "Diphtheria is a Killer." This was timed to coincide with Government's publicity campaign against the disease. All these publicity programmes were taken as direct relays by Rediffusion.
59. Towards the end of the year, as a result of negotiations with the chief religious denominations, ZEK started, for the first time, to broadcast religious services in Chinese from the studio. These broadcasts, of thirty minutes' duration, took place every Sunday evening.
Z. B. W. (English Station)
60. The English-language station continues, bit by bit, to replace with "live" broadcasts the blocks of programmes made up from commercial gramophone records. Within the limits of staff available, much was done in this direction during the year. One limiting factor is that whilst there is appreciable talent in the Colony, considerable time must ordinarily be spent and work done before it finally takes the air. But, for example, the reasonably good organization of the local dramatic societies, making "talent-spotting" comparatively simple, has helped in the establishment of a long-range plan to broadcast from the studio a regular number of radio plays by local amateurs. Thirteen plays were so produced during the year (a record), eight of them in the last five months.
61. Then, too, the arrival of a Senior Programme Assistant has made it possible for a start to be made on another project which has been planned for some time. Under the general title of "In Your Service," there has been started a new series of documentaries dealing with the life and work of the people of Hong Kong, as expressed in various official organizations and private enterprises. The first programme dealt with the work of the General Post Office and was released just before the Christmas rush. In pattern, it was composed of a number of
17
interviews and actuality items to form a continuously unfolding story, linked and explained by a central narrator in the studio. This technique not only ensures clarity of exposition, but also provides the possibility of compressing much material into the essentially limited duration of the programme. Plans for extending these broadcasts, in both English and Chinese, are under way.
62. In the thought that the history of the Colony and its expansion right from the early days would provide an entertain- ing and informative programme, two knowledgeable speakers were invited to start a series called, quite simply, "Talking About Hong Kong". The programmes have been widely listened to, and have proved sufficiently interesting for the substance of each discussion to be published the day after trans- mission by two English-language newspapers. At the time of writing this programme approaches its 30th edition.
63. All major sporting events at Home and in the Colony were reported by ZBW. When the Olympic Games were held, a special daily report for the whole of the period was relayed direct from Helsinki.
64. In the sphere of music, ZBW continues its policy of broadcasting as many recitals and concerts as possible by local artists. These included programmes of light as well as classical music. In addition to soloists (one young Chinese girl recorded a piano sonata for audition by the B.B.C.) and chamber groups, the Sino-British Orchestra gave three concerts during the year.
65. In the field of recorded music-whether swing, jazz, light or classical-the long-playing disc, affording as it does high fidelity reproduction, minimum surface noise and complete continuity of playing, is now the thing. ZBW's library of these records now approaches the 500 mark.
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66. As in previous years, the B.B.C. Transcription Service was widely drawn upon for Feature, Music programmes, and Plays of the "World Theatre" series.
Relations with B.B.C.:
67. Radio Hong Kong maintains close liaison with the British Broadcasting Corporation, and during the course of normal years sends to London a number of programme con- tributions in response to specific requests. During the year under review these contributions were more numerous than usual. An invitation to take part in the Christmas Round-The- World programme resulted in the acceptance by the B.B.C. of an item from Hong Kong which featured Christmas carols sung by Chinese children in the Shaukiwan Youth Club, introduced by Miss Dorothy Lee of the Social Welfare Office. Various messages for use in special programmes were recorded in Radio Hong Kong and flown to the B.B.C. Among these were a series
of greetings to the Queen by schoolchildren of Hong Kong for a Coronation edition of the new Schools Transcription Service; and a number of messages to home from members of the Forces serving here for use in the B.B.C.'s "Calling Home" programmes. In every case the B.B.C. expressed satisfaction with the content. and quality of these contributions.
Statistics:
68. The number of wireless receiving licences in force on March 31st, 1953, was 42,606, compared with 41,211 for the corresponding date in 1952.
69. There was no change in the basic hours of broadcasting during the year. The two stations have three daily periods on the air; an early morning session, over the lunch period, and the main evening transmission which lasts between 6 and 11.30. On Saturdays the programmes on ZBW continue through the
19
afternoon (specially designed for listeners in the Forces), while on Sundays there is a non-stop transmission between 10 a.m. and 11.30 p.m. On public holidays, both stations broadcast all day. Due to the necessity of covering special events (mainly sporting), 52 hours of extra routine broadcasts took place on the two stations during the year. This had the effect of slightly raising the daily average. The regular expansion of average daily service hours during the past five years is seen in the following table:
ZBW
ZEK
1949
1950
1951
1952
1953
7.0
8.8
9.5
10.6
10.7
7.0
7.4
8.7
9.9
10.0
70. During the year, Outside Broadcasts for ZEK totalled 176 hours and for ZBW 166, a grand total of 342 hours. 721 complete programmes were recorded. Of these 326 were on disc and 395 on tape. A total of 1,848 relays from the B.B.C. were used over the two stations during the year. The technical services relating to these relays were of a very high standard, and the great majority of the programmes were heard clearly.
Technical Services:
71. The installation of modern equipment in all Control Rooms continued, and except for certain Groove Locator Units, was completed approximately by the end of the period under review. This involved, inter alia, the complete re-equipping of the Continuity Control Rooms without interruption of pro- grammes. Ancillary equipment installed and put into use included a single-second clock system, tape recorders, micro- groove (331) and 45 r.p.m. record-playing facilities.
72. Programmes from Rediffusion have been made available at the Central Control point for checking purposes, whereby instant comparison may be made of the quality of exchanged programmes. The functions of the Peak Wireless Station, as regards relaying B.B.C. programmes, were transferred to the new Receiving Station at Mount Butler, which became fully operational in the course of the year.
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Appendix A.
FEATURE FILMS
APPEAL BOARD
Number
Passed
Country of Origin
Censored
Clean
Passed with Cuts
Banned
Submitted
Films Ban Con-
firmed
Appeal
Upheld
Passed with Cuts
AMERICAN
412
375
23
14
14
9
3
2
BRITISH
57
54
3
2
2
2
CHINESE (Hongkong)
(Mandarin)...
73
53
16
4
4
3
1
CHINESE (Hongkong)
(Cantonese)
186
126
56
4
CHINESE (Formosan)
5
1
4
3
3
FRENCH
18
14
1
1
ITALIAN
6
5
1
INDIAN
5
5
RUSSIAN
1
SWEDISH.....
1
JAPANESE
6
5
1
DANISH
1
1
1
1
CHINESE MAINLAND
1
1
21
22
22
Appendix B.
NEWS REELS, SHORTS ETC.
Country of Origin
SPOON ALALAMAN &
APPEAL BOARD
Number Passed
Censored Clean
Passed with Cuts
Banned
Submitted
Ban Con- Appeal
firmed
Passed
Upheld with Cuts
News Reels
AMERICAN
259
257
2
BRITISH
60
60
HONG KONG (Cantonese)
11
11
(Mandarin)..
4
4
FORMOSA
2
2
1
CHINESE (Mainland).
1
1
RUSSIAN
7
7
Shorts etc.
AMERICAN
388
385
2
1
BRITISH
13
13
CHINESE (Hongkong)
10
10
RUSSIAN
21
14
1
6
1 1 1 1
-!
OVT.
RESS
HONG KONG