ENG-1957 — Page 415

360

HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT

publications, most of which are produced entirely in the Department itself. The Quartering Authority deals with accommodation for civil servants and for Government departments.

New Territories Administration. The New Territories are divided into three administrative districts; Yuen Long in the north-west, Tai Po in the north-east, and the Southern District which, besides the southern and south-east part of the mainland, includes Lantao, Cheung Chau, Lamma and the other islands around Hong Kong. The Yuen Long and Tai Po Districts are administered by District Officers stationed at Ping Shan and Tai Po respectively. The Southern District since November 1957 has been placed under the charge of two District Officers, with the special needs of Lantao Island provided for by a small sub-district office at Mui Wo. Another District Officer, stationed at the headquarters of the Administration, is responsible for liaison with central government departments and the co-ordination of all routine work. The District Commissioner, with an office in Kowloon and official residence near Tai Po, co- ordinates the overall administration of the New Territories. There is also a Resident Magistrate, who is a legal officer, for the New Territories. District Officers hold land and small-debt courts, and arbitrate in all kinds of disputes, including family and matrimonial cases; they control Crown land and buildings, register documents and deeds relating to private land, assess and collect stamp duty, and ad- minister a vote for small public works undertaken by villagers to improve irrigation, water supplies and com- munications. Close co-operation is maintained 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