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CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION
bridges and carry out a wide variety of other minor works to improve the amenities of the villages.
For local representation each of the 625 villages in the New Territories has one or more village representatives making a total of about 900. Villages are in turn grouped under Rural Com- mittees, of which there are now 27 covering the entire New Terri- tories. Each Rural Committee has an executive committee which is usually elected by secret ballot every two years by and from village representatives. The Rural Committees receive a small monthly subvention from 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 Special Councillors elected every two years, form the Full Council of the New Territories 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 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the period from August 1958 to December 1959 when official recognition of the representative status of the Kuk was withdrawn because of internal dissension) Government has sought advice on New Territories affairs.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 has an Executive Com- mittee which meets monthly and consists of the chairmen of Rural Committees, the unofficial New Territories Justices of the Peace, and 15 ordinary members elected every two years 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. The next election to the Heung Yee Kuk will be held during April 1964 under the supervision of the District Commissioner as returning officer.
THE PUBLIC SERVICE
On 1st April 1963, the establishment of the Public Service was 60,286, an increase of 3,376 over the previous year. The estimated expenditure on salaries for the financial year 1963-4 is about $393