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limited to the urban areas of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and New
Kowloon (where, altogether, about three-quarters of the population
live). Its main duties are public hygiene and the control of
recreational and cultural facilities. On 1 April 1986 a new RegCo
was established with the same powers and functions in the New
Territories as UrbCo has in the urban area. 12 of RegCo's 36
members are directly elected; 12 are appointed by the Governor;
are indirectly elected by the District Boards; and 3 are ex officio
representatives of the indigenous inhabitants of the New
Territories.
9
The District Boards
7.
District Boards (and associated District Management
Committees) were established in 1982 in 18 districts, 10 in the
urban area and 8 in the New Territories. The Boards, part elected
by local residents and part appointed, advise the Government on
matters affecting the well-being of the people at a district level.
Elections to the Boards were first held in 1982. Elections were
held for a second time in March 1985, when the number of Boards was
increased to 19. 213 seats were contested by nearly 500 candidates.
Over 476,000 or one third of the registered electorate of 1.4
million, took part in voting.
8.
With the signature of the Joint Declaration and the growing
debate about Hong Kong's future political structure, OMELCO and
indeed the Municipal Councils and District Boards have tended to
become more political gatherings. OMELCO'S views are no longer to
be taken for granted. It is far more affected by factionalism and
internal differences (eg over representative government). The
Municipal Councils and District Boards also play their part in Hong
Kong's new-found politicking. Public differences of view between
UrbCo/RegCo and the District Boards sometimes also arise as a result
of the present overlap in their functional responsibilities. Partly
as a result of these differences, one of the areas to be examined in
the 1987 Review is the relationship between the Councils and the
Boards, and possible means of ensuring better co-ordination by
adjusting the present arrangements for cross membership between
them.
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