the Registrar General, did so without any intention to wilfully disregard the law, but under an impression that such formalities as he was informed had taken place were sufficient to warrant him in taking the step he did.
It will be seen, however, that Section XXII of the Ordinance in question clearly lays down that no Minister shall celebrate any marriage until the parties deliver to him the Registrar General's certificate or the Governor's special licence, while Section XXXI prescribes that any Minister who wilfully celebrates a marriage contrary to any provision of the Ordinance, or with knowledge that any provision of the Ordinance has not been complied with, shall be guilty of a misdemeanour and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years.
I may also mention the fact that under Section XXIX of the Ordinance a marriage is null and void if both parties knowingly and wilfully acquiesce in its celebration without a certificate of notice or licence duly issued, and it is therefore impossible to say how far the parties who were married on the occasion in question are legally married before the law.
I feel sure you will agree with me that it is most desirable that Clergymen of all denominations should do all in their power to comply with the requirements of the law in such an important matter as that of marriage.
You draw my attention in the latter part of your letter to what you consider the disadvantages of the present marriage Act of this Colony.