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public opinion. The department stands a little apart from the main executive govern- ment machinery and discharges its functions by maintaining close contact with all sectors of the population and liaison with private organisations such as the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, Po Leung Kuk, kaifong organisations, district and clansmen associations, mutual aid committees, multi-storey building associations and religious organisations.
The department runs the city district office scheme which was introduced in 1968 to improve communication between government and people. There are 10 city district offices in the urban area-six in Kowloon and four on Hong Kong Island. These offices provide valuable service to the central government, the community and individual citizens. They co-ordinate government activities at the district level, sound out public opinion, foster community involvement, and aim to interpret for the man in the street the processes of a specialised and sophisticated administration.
In their community involvement efforts, the city district offices assist residents living in multi-storey buildings to form and service mutual aid committees. By the end of 1976 there were 2,214 such committees, as compared with 1,907 in 1975. These committees are generally successful in fostering a good neighbourly spirit among residents in high-rise buildings and improving the overall management of these buildings in aspects of security and cleanliness.
Most of the city district offices and their 12 sub-offices are located in readily accessible shop-type premises, making it easy for people to contact the government. At the enquiry service counters, information and guidance is given on the services provided and functions performed by government departments; rules and procedures are explained; and information and advice is given during emergencies such as tropical storms. During the year, the Home Affairs Department handled a total of two million enquiries of all kinds.
In the New Territories, the Secretary for the New Territories and his seven district officers exercise co-ordinating responsibilities, particularly in the development of the new towns. They also perform certain executive functions, principally in relation to land administration. The arrangements for consultation with the public are more formalised to the extent that there is a village representative system. More than 900 representatives are chosen from some 600 villages. Villages are grouped under 27 rural committees, each of which has an executive committee. With one exception, all the executive committees of the rural committees are selected by secret ballot every two years by village representatives. The rural committees execute minor works and carry out certain tasks on behalf of the government, receiving a small monthly subvention to cover part of their expenses. Within its own area the rural committee acts as spokesman for local public opinion, mediates in clan and family disputes, and generally provides a bridge between the government and the people.
The chairmen and vice-chairmen of the 27 rural committees, 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. The title may be trans- lated into English as 'rural consultative council'. Under the constitution established by the Heung Yee Kuk Ordinance, the Kuk has an executive committee which meets
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