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W(B)L 51-7406
The New Territories
hawkers, the operation of slaughter houses and
pest control. It also has responsibilities for
the removal and resettlement of squatters within
urban areas. It has no rating powers and its
responsibilities are carried out through the
Urban Services Department (a Government Depart-
ment), the Director of which is Chairman of the
Council.
Z In addition to the Chairman, the Council
consists of five ex officio and twenty unofficial
members, of whom ten are elected and ten are
appointed by the Governor.
36. Although the franchise for Urban Council
elections was extended in 1966 to an estimated
240,000 persons, in the event only some 26,000
have registered as electors. The number of
voters in the June 1967 elections was 10,189
or 38.8% of registered electors.
The New Territories are administered by
District Officers under the District Commissio-
ner, with the assistance of rural committees
elected by and from village representatives.
There is also a consultative council for the
whole of the New Territories; its functions are
entirely advisory.
Proposals for Reorganisation
$8.
There have been three reports on the issue
of local government since the present Governor
First, launched a review of the subject in 1966. An
official Working Party was set up to gather
information on the possible forms of local
government suitable to Hong Kong and to suggest
lines of possible development. The Working
Party's Report was published early in 1967.
It recommended the creation of a number of urban
authorities (all with a majority of elected
/ members)