City and Kwun Tong; and in the New Territories at Tai Po, Tsuen Wan and Yuen Long. On 19th April 1971 the part-time marriage registry at Shau Kei Wan moved to new premises at 142-146 Shau Kei Wan Road, 1st floor, and became a full-time registry, combining with the Shau Kei Wan District Births Registry referred to in paragraph 171.
155. During the year the number of 'part-time' registries in the New Territories was increased from three to 15, by establishing 12 new registries at Sheung Shui, Sha Tin, Fanling, Tuen Mun, San Tin, Kam Tin, Ta Kwu Ling, Peng Chau, Tung Chung, Mui Wo, Tai O and Lamma South. This substantial increase was dictated by the fact that on and after the appointed day under the Marriage Reform Ordinance all marriages in the Colony must be celebrated in accordance with the provisions of the Marriage Ordinance. As the great majority of Chinese customary marriages previously celebrated in the Colony were celebrated in the New Territories, this meant that additional marriage registry facilities had to be provided in these areas.
156. The City Hall Registry opens on Sunday mornings throughout the year for the performance of Registry marriages. The main reason for the Sunday opening, which was instituted in 1966, was that not in- frequently the lucky day for the marriage of a particular couple under their horoscopes or a lucky day for marriages generally according to the Chinese Lunar Calendar happens to fall on a Sunday. Another reason was that some couples prefer a Sunday marriage because it means no interference with a normal working day for the parties and their guests. During the year 583 Sunday marriages were performed at the Registry.
157. Under section 21(4)(b) of the Marriage Ordinance, where the Deputy Registrar is satisfied that he and the parties and witnesses all understand the Chinese language or the same dialect thereof, the marriage may be celebrated wholly in that language or dialect, and the great majority of Registry marriages are now celebrated in Chinese without an interpreter. The form of marriage certificate incorporates a Chinese translation of the printed English text, but is completed only in English, except for the characters of Chinese names.
158. During the year three additional places of public worship were licensed for the celebration of marriages under the Ordinance, bringing the total number of licensed places up to 129. All marriage performed in licensed places of public worship are registered at the principal Registry in the City Hall.
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