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The Assistant Postmaster General (Postal Services) Mrs Joanna Choi and popular artist Miss Flora Chan officiated the kick-off ceremony of the publicity campaign today (January 19). The campaign aims to advise the public of proper handling of mail items that are not intended for them as well as the importance of writing accurate and full address on mail items for efficient delivery.
"Each letter is precious to the sender and the receiver. That's why Hongkong Post campaigns for proper handling of mail items that are intended for somebody else," said Mrs Choi at the ceremony held at the General Post Office.
To be thoughtful and caring, any persons who receive other people's mail items may state clearly on the covers the reasons for mail return as follows:
i) "No such person" when there is no such person at the receiver's address;
ii) "Moved" and the forwarding address, if known, when the addressee has moved out; or
iii) "Incorrect location" when receiving a wrongly delivered mail item.
And return it to Hongkong Post through
* Dropping it in any street posting box;
* Handing it over to counter staff at any post office; or
* Dropping it in the Return Letter Box set up by the building management, if any.
"Be considerate and cooperative, handle other people's mail properly," said Miss Flora Chan, the officiating guest of today's ceremony.
On the other hand, Hongkong Post always receives a considerable quantity of mails whose addresses are incomplete or incorrect. Hence, delay in delivery of mail is resulted and some even become undeliverable mails that can never be sent out.
"We have seen letters marked only with names of company and building while names of street or district are missing. Some districts are written in abbreviation, namely HV for Happy Valley, whilst some are even coined by the senders, such as West Bay River instead of Sai Wan Ho. An accurate and full address is extremely important to the successful delivery of mail items," added Mrs Choi.
During the ceremony, Mrs Choi also introduced for the first time a standard A4-size letter box with an address plate to the public. Featured with an anti-theft device at the aperture that can be locked, the new letter box serves the dual purposes of speedier delivery of mail and reduced risk of mail theft. These letter boxes will soon be available for sale at designated post offices.
Following the kick-off ceremony, an array of publicity activities, such as distributing posters and leaflets through Housing Department, Hong Kong Housing Authority, property management companies and owners' corporations, will soon be held. Competitions and experience sharing forums will also be organised with property management companies. For details, please contact Hongkong Post Enquiry Hotline at 2921 2222.
Other guests of honour include representatives from Hong Kong Housing Authority, Hong Kong Housing Society, Hong Yip Service Co. Ltd., Shui On Properties Ltd., MTRC, Guardian Group, Chartered Institute of Housing (Hong Kong Branch), The Hong Kong Association of Property Management Companies, The Hong Kong Institute of Housing and Hong Kong Institute of Real Estate Administration.
End/Saturday, January 19, 2002
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