POPULATION AND IMMIGRATION
307
part-time sub-registries located in the main urban districts and rural centres. During the year, 45 808 marriages were performed in the registries and 2 753 at licensed places of worship. All records are maintained permanently at the head office.
The Marriage Reform Ordinance provides that all marriages entered into in Hong Kong on or after October 7, 1971 shall imply the voluntary union, for life, of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others, and may be contracted only in accordance with the Marriage Ordinance. It declares valid certain customary marriages and other marriages known as modern marriages provided, in each case, they were entered into before October 7, 1971. The ordinance makes provision for the post-registration of these marriages, and for their dissolution. During the year, 85 customary and 34 modern marriages were post- registered.
Births and Deaths
11=
The registration of births and deaths is compulsory. The General Register Office keeps all records of births and deaths. Birth registration services in the urban districts are provided by two main birth registries, one on Hong Kong Island and one in Kowloon. There are also six birth registries in the rural areas providing similar services in their respective districts. In the outlying areas and islands, births are registered at various rural committee offices by visiting district registrars. Deaths in the rural areas are registered at local police stations except in Tsuen Wan and Kwai Chung districts where deaths are registered in a death registry.
The statutory period during which a birth should be registered is 42 days from the date of birth. During the year, 70 152 live births and 26 959 deaths were registered, compared with 72 211 and 26 030 respectively in 1986. The figures, when adjusted for under-registration, gave a natural increase in population for 1987 of about 42 900.
A birth which has not been registered within one year may be post-registered with the consent of the Registrar of Births and Deaths and on payment of a $70 fee. During the year, 531 births were post-registered.
There are two death registries, one on Hong Kong Island and one in Kowloon. Apart from registration of deaths, they also issue cremation permits and provide services for the booking of cremation facilities.
Establishment and Recruitment
At year end, the department had an establishment of 2 803 disciplined staff, 255 more than 1986. The number of civilian staff was 2 352. During the year, 159 assistant immigration officers and 252 immigration assistants were recruited.
Staff Training
The department's Training Section provides training for both new and serving officers. Assistant immigration officer recruits undergo a 17-week induction course while immigra- tion assistant recruits undergo an eight-week course. These courses cover law, immigration policies and procedures, drill, physical training, swimming, first-aid and practical attach- ments. As part of the career development programme, in-service and specialised training is also provided either within the department or in outside organisations. Each year, a number of officers are selected for overseas attachment and training.
During the year, 416 recruits completed their induction training. A further 2 910 serving officers received various types of job-related and continuation training.