ENG-1966 — Page 361

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CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION

The Rural Committees execute minor works and carry out certain tasks on behalf of the government. They receive a small monthly subvention to cover routine expenses. Within its own area each Rural Committee acts as the spokesman for local public opinion, mediates in clan and family disputes, and generally provides a bridge between the New Territories Administration and the people.

The chairmen and vice-chairmen of the 27 Rural Committees, together 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, whose title may be translated into English as 'Rural Consultative Council'. The Kuk serves as a forum where leaders of New Territories opinion have gathered since it was constituted in 1926 and from which (except during the period from August 1958 to December 1959 when official recognition of the representative status of the Kuk was withdrawn because of internal dissension) the government has sought advice on New Territories affairs. Under the constitution established by the Heung Yee Kuk Ordinance 1959, the Kuk also has an Executive Committee which meets monthly and consists of the chairmen of Rural Committees, the unofficial New Territories Justices of the Peace and 15 ordinary members elected every two years by the Full Council. The Full Council also elects the chairman and two vice-chairmen of the Kuk through whom close and constant contact is maintained with the District Commissioner. A series of elections was held in May 1966, to determine the office bearers of the 17th term of the Kuk, under the supervision of the District Commissioner as Returning Officer. Those elected assumed office for two years with effect from 1st June 1966.

THE PUBLIC SERVICE

On 1st April 1966, the establishment of the Public Service totalled 70,852. The increase of 2,376 or 31 per cent over the establishment of the previous year was the smallest since 1955-6. The Service has, however, expanded very considerably over recent years-for example, the total establishment in 1949 was about 17,500-and the Establishment Sub-Committee of Finance Committee has con- tinued to examine all departmental requests for extra staff to ensure that this expansion is limited to posts which are essential, as opposed