ENG-1956 — Page 356

296

HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT

works undertaken by villagers to improve irrigation, water supplies and communications. Close co-operation is main- tained between the Administration and all other Departments with interests in the New Territories.

District Officers have the assistance of Rural Committees, elected by and from village representatives, and exercising various functions by delegation. Although these committees have no statutory existence or powers, they have already proved their usefulness as mouthpieces of public opinion, in the arbitration of clan and family disputes, and generally as a bridge between the Administration and the people. The New Territories is covered by a network of rural committees, 28 sub-districts being recognized for this purpose as rural committee areas. 24 have formally established committees, two have provisional organizations of a similar kind and one has its interests looked after by the committee for an adjoin- ing area.

Public Services Commission. The Public Services Com- mission, appointed under Ordinance in 1950, with a view to improving the standard of efficiency of officers in public service and ensuring that the claims of local candidates for appointment receive full consideration, advises the Governor on appointments and promotions to the great majority of vacancies in the pensionable government establishment.

The highest ranks of the public service are open to local people with suitable qualifications. At present locally-born officers, most of them Chinese, hold positions in nearly all administrative, professional and technical branches of the Government.