CO_1030_1459_HONG_KONG_CONSTITUTIONAL_DEVELOPMENT_1963_1965 — Page 247

Background Hote on Urban Council:

FED 198/400/01

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Hong Kong.

A. Urban Council

The Urban Council (established in 1935 to replace the

former Sanitary Board) originally consisted of 5 official

members and 8 Unofficial members, of whom 2 were elected by

those whose names appeared on the jury lists and 6 were

appointed by the Governor (3 had to be of Chinese race but

since 1956 the Governor has had discretion to nominate without

regard to race). The number of Unofficial elected members was

increased to 4 in 1953 and to in 1956 and the number of

nominated Unofficial members from 6 to 8 in 1956.

2.

Functions The Urban Council has statutory responsibility

for operating the basic sanitary services in both the urban

areas and the New Territories behind Kowloon, with a variety

of other duties in the field of public health such as the

Supervision of Food premises and hawkers, the operation of the

city's slaughter houses, and pest control measures.

addition it controls and staffs the parks, playgrounds, bathing

beaches and multi-storey car parks. It is responsible for the

planned removal and resettlement of squatters, the administration

of the resettlement estates and areas and the prevention of

In

new squatting. It is empowered to make by-laws for the

regulation and control of these matters, subject to the approval

of the Legislative Council.

3.

Franchise Men and women over 21 are eligible for

inclusion on the electoral roll if they are:

(a) on the lists of special and common jurors

(b) qualified for jury service but eqtempted by reason

of age, infirmity or the office they hold

(c) recognised teachers

(A) taxpayers

(e) members of the Defence Force and Auxilary Services.

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