ENG-1959 — Page 405

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HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT

clan and family disputes, and generally as a bridge between the Administration and the people. The New Territories is divided into twenty seven Rural Committee areas of which twenty five have formally established Rural Committees. The Chairman and Vice-Chairmen of all the Rural Committees are ex-officio members of the Heung Yee Kuk.

Heung Yee Kuk may be translated into English as Rural Consultative Council. This organization has since 1926 constituted a forum where leaders of New Territories opinion have gathered and from which the Government has sought advice.

During recent years internal dissension in the Kuk led to the breakdown of its constitution and in August 1958 the Government was forced to withdraw recognition of its representative status. In December 1959 the Heung Yee Kuk Ordinance (please also see Chapter 12) was passed establishing a new constitution for the Kuk. Preparations for the first elections under these new arrange- ments were being made at the end of the year.

THE PUBLIC SERVICE

Appointments and promotions to the majority of pensionable posts in the Public Service are made on the advice of the Public Services Commission, a statutory non-Government body established in 1950 with the object of improving the standard of efficiency of officers and of putting into effect the Government's policy of giving preference in appointment, wherever possible, to well-qualified local candidates whose roots are in the Colony.

Monthly paid offices in the Public Service are divided into five classes. Classes I and II include those offices normally held by administrative or professional officers, or offices of similar status. Class III offices are held by more junior officers (including the Clerical Service) with an initial salary of more than $360 p.m. Class IV is for disciplined staff below the rank of Police Sub- Inspector (or equivalent rank in other departments). Class V includes non-pensionable officers with initial salaries of $360 p.m. or less. There is also a number of daily paid officers, who may qualify after varying periods of service for transfer to monthly pay. In 1960 all daily rated staff who are permanently employed will be

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