356
CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION
committees covering the entire New Territories and each month they receive a small subvention from the Government to cover routine expenses. Within its own area each Rural Committee acts as the spokesman for local public opinion, arbitrates in clan and family disputes, and generally provides a bridge between the Administration and the people.
The Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of the 27 Rural Committees, together with the unofficial New Territories Justices of the Peace and 21 elected Special Councillors, form the Full Council of the Heung Yee Kuk, whose title may be translated into English as Rural Consultative Council. The Kuk serves as a forum where leaders of New Territories opinion have gathered since it was first constituted in 1926, and from which (except during the period from August 1958 to December 1959 when official recognition of the representative status of the Kuk was withdrawn because of internal dissension) the Government has sought advice on New Territories affairs. Under its new constitution which was established by the Heung Yee Kuk Ordinance, 1959, the Kuk, apart from its Full Council, also includes an Executive Committee which meets monthly and consists of the Chairmen of Rural Committees, the unofficial New Territories Justices of the Peace, and 15 Ordinary Members elected by the Full Council. The Full Council also elects the Chairman and two Vice-Chairmen of the Kuk, through whom close and constant contact is maintained with the District Commissioner.
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THE PUBLIC SERVICE
On the 1st April 1961, the establishment of the Public Service totalled 53,267. The increase of 2,836 over the previous year was lower than in preceding years. The estimated expenditure on salaries for the financial year 1961-2 is almost $350 million which accounts for 32.6% of the total estimated expenditure for the year. The Service has expanded very rapidly since 1949 (before the influx of refugees started), when the total establishment was about 17,500.
This growth has been accompanied by a determined effort to fill as many posts as possible with local candidates. Much effort, particularly in more recent years, has been directed towards fitting local candidates to fill posts of great responsibility. The percentage