FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 1981
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SHA TIN AREA COMMITTEE MEMBERS INAUGURATED
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AREA COMMITTEES SERVE NOT ONLY AS A CLOSE LINK BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND RESIDENTS, BUT THEY ALSO PROVIDE LOCAL PEOPLE WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS COMMUNITY BUILDING, SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, DR PATRICK HASE, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
DR HASE, WHO WAS OFFICIATING AT THE FIRST TERM INAUGURATION OF MEMBERS OF THREE AREA COMMITTEES, SAID RESIDENTS COULD REFLECT THEIR OPINIONS THROUGH THESE COMMITTEES.
THE COMMITTEES ARE TOWN CENTRE, SIU LEK YUEN AND FO TAN, WHICH COINCIDE APPROXIMATELY WITH CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS TO BE HELD NEXT MARCH,
THEY HAVE BEEN FORMED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE TO IMPROVE ADMINISTRATION AND TO ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL AFFAIRS.
DR HASE SAID THE NUMBER WOULD BE INCREASED AS THE NEW TOWN POPULATION GREW.
+THE MAIN FUNCTIONS OF AN AREA COMMITTEE ARE TO LIAISE WITH LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES TO HELP GOVERNMENT IN ORGANISING COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES TO HOLD SPORTS AND CULTURAL EVENTS- AND, MOST IMPORTANT, TO REFLECT THE NEEDS OF LOCAL PEOPLE, HE SAID.
EACH COMMITTEE IS COMPOSED OF OFFICIAL AND UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS.
OFFICIAL MEMBERS INCLUDE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE POLICE, THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVICES, SOCIAL WELFARE AND HOUSING DEPARTMENTS, AND THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE, WHILE UNOFFICIALS WHO ARE APPOINTED FOR A YEAR ARE DRAWN FROM VILLAGES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, SCHOOLS, WELFARE AGENCIES AND BUSINESS CIRCLES.
THE AREA COMMITTEES ARE LINKED TO THE DISTRICT BOARD THROUGH REPRESENTATION ON THE BOARD SUB-COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE FOR COLLECTING OPINIONS OF LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
DR HASE SAID THE MAIN PURPOSE OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION WAS TO REINFORCE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT AND TO PROVIDE GREATER OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND PARTICIPATION.
HE APPEALED TO THE MEMBERS TO GIVE THEIR FULL SUPPORT TO THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS TO BE HELD NEXT MARCH.
AT TODAY'S CEREMONY, 56 UNOFFICIALS WERE PRESENTED WITH CERTIFICATES OF APPOINTMENT.
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