39
with, and had a fuller mental concept of, the world beyond the South Sea than he had of China outside central Kwangtung.
Marriage and Childbirth
The 1911 census gives some information on marriage in the New Territories. "It notes the married state of 51,101 persons in Northern District, and 17,739 persons of the land population in Southern District. This probably represents all those aged over 12, plus those married as infants under 12." 881 males and 902 females in Northern District had been married as infants of less than 12 (2.6% and 2.6% respectively). In 1921, the details of married state are much fuller than in 1911, and include details of the numbers of married and single males and females at all ages. However, in 1921 no details are given of infant marriages. The recorded details from the two censuses are shown in Table 14. The average age of marriage can be given accurately for 1921, but only approximately for 1911.
Table 14
Married State. New Territories, 1911, 1921 Censuses
manage Total
Population Average Age
of manage Northern District married, 1911 14428 42% 17433 50%
719 24 Northern District married, 1921 14891 43% 16124 46%
17 23 Northern District widow(er)s × 1911 2201 6% 5150 15% Northern District widow(er)s 1921 1767 5% 5500 16% N District married as infants, 1911 881 3% 902 3% S. District: boat Population married 1921 1757 43% 26 1411 50%
21 S. District: boat Population widow(er)s 212 5% 343 12%