as compared with $190,000 in 1971-72. Collection of book debts in this liquidation continued to decrease, and a total of $3.36m. was collected compared with $7.73m. for the previous year. An analysis of the 793 debts totalling $50.57m. outstanding at the end of the year is included in paragraph 134.
Births, Deaths and Marriages
17. The number of births registered in 1972 was 79,053, 2,235 more than in 1971. This was the first time since 1963 in which the number of births registered rose as compared with the preceding year although for the seventh successive year the total was below 100,000. 1,366 births were post-registered more than one year after birth, and 388 entries made in the Adopted Children Register. 21,145 deaths were registered, 892 more than in 1971.
18. 26,443 marriages were registered under the Marriage Ordin- ance, 3,044 less than the record total in 1971-72. In 2,662 cases out of the 26,443 the couples had previously been married to each other by customary ceremonies of one kind or another, so that the number of 'new' marriages was really 23,781, a decrease of 1,510 from last year's figure of 25,291. The year's total comprised 2,337 marriages at 135 licensed places of worship and 24,106 marriages at Marriage Registries. In addition to registered marriages there used to be many thousands of non-Christian customary marriages celebrated each year according to the personal law and religion of the parties. However, since 7th October 1971, the appointed day under the Marriage Reform Ordinance, marriages entered into in Hong Kong may be contracted only in accordance with the Marriage Ordinance. The Marriage Reform Ordinance also provides for the post-registration of customary and 'modern' marriages entered into before 7th October 1971. During the year 159 post-registrations were effected under this provision. The number of girls marrying under 21 decreased by 498 to 4,829; this represented 18.26% of all marriages registered as against 18.07% in the previous year. There was a slight decrease of 84 to 2,828 in the number of marriages performed in New Territories Registries. This is more than 13 times as many as in 1960-61 when the Registries were opened.
Revenue and Expanditure
19. As compared with 1971-72 the grand total of the Department's contribution to the revenue of the Colony rose sharply by $52.47m.
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