73
of Ass Anstey while Attorney General was called to the matter. I do not know whether the Returns kept by Ministers of the Church of England in this Colony or in China are sent to the Registrar General in London, - as the Consular Records are - I believe not, nor in the case of Catholic or dissenting registers does any proper machinery exist as far as I am aware for reporting "Marriages and births, and mortality to the Metropolis. A question was sometime submitted to the Law Authorities at Home as to the validity of Protestant marriages celebrated at Macao - the question was left in so uncertain a state that many of Her Majesty's Subjects who had been married at Macao have thought it prudent to be re-married in Hongkong. As the Legislative Council of Hongkong is charged with legislating on British Subjects in China, and British is no doubt the late Treaties will necessitate the transfer of that power to some other authority, I hope steps will be taken to secure accurate records from the clergy of the Church of England in the various Ports of China which probably the Bishop of Victoria would not be unwilling to transmit to the proper Authorities in England.
38. It may be stated notwithstanding