PUR.
RECORD
OFFICE
Reference
1 C.O.
882
3
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
18
FORM (C).
Special Licence.
Whereas A B and C D desire to marry, and sufficient cause has been shown to me why such marriage should be allowed without the formalities prescribed by the Marriage Ordinance of 1875.
Now, therefore, in pursuance of the said Ordinance, I do dispense with the giving of notice and the issue of the certificate thereby prescribed (or as the case may be), and do hereby authorize any competent person to celebrate marriage between the said A B and C D at [place of celebration] upon the
day of
No
Dista
J
187 between the hours of 6 in the forenoon and 6 in the afternoon. Given under my hand this
Name of husband
Butt
187
day of
187 (Signed)
Governor.
FORM OF CErtificate.
Hong Kong Ordinance No. 4 of 1875, sec. 22.
Hong Kong Ordinance No. 4 of 1875, sec. 22.
When Married.
Certificate of Marriage.
Names and Surnades.
Whether of Full ▲ ge.
Ur a Minor.
Condition
Rank or Profession.
Residence at the Time Marrige.
Father's Name and Burname.
Bank or Profession of
ם
Certificate of Marriage.
When Married.
Names and Surnames.
Whether of Full Age.
--ག-་་-་ཕ
Condition.
Rank or Professina).
Residence at the Time
#ZWEITE DE 20
Father's Name and
Name of wife
Married at
by (or before) me,
Married at
by (w before) me.
This marriage was solemnized bo-
tween 14.
in the pre-
This marriage was
solemnized
in the pre-
be-{
sence of I,
tween ta
Table of Fees.
Notice of marriage, section VIII
Certificate of notice, section XI
Marriage at the office of the Registrar-General
Marriage licence
Special licence
Gentlemen,
Inclosure 2 in No. 6.
:::::
sence of na,
Dollars.
Nil
1
5
25
"O CIVILANG
Bank or Profession of
| Father.
Roman Catholic Mission House, March 18, 1875, WE, the Undersigned, the Catholic Clergy of Hong Kong, most respectfully express to the Honourable Members of the Legislative Council, that the Ordinance on Marriages being against the Catholic doctrine, cannot be accepted by us, and we are compelled to say, that should the Ordinance pass, we should be obliged to protest against it, and rather submit to any penalty than to submit to it.
We beg to express to the Council that our protest does not come from any
19
spirit of opposition to the Government, but only and solely because the Ordinance is against the Catholic doctrine.
We have, &c.
(Signed)
JOHN TIMOLEON RAIMONDI, Bishop of Acanto,
Ficar Apostolic of Hong Kong.
G. BURGHIGNOLI, Pro-Vicar Apostolic. Father B. VIGANO, Missionary Apostolic.
V. LONGO, ditto, Officiating Roman Catholic Chaplain. PIANZOLI LUIZE, Missionary Apostolic. ANTONIO TAGLIALNE, ditte. MARCUS LEANG, ditto.”
J. M. LEANG, ditto.
To his Excellency the Administrator, and the
Honourable Members of the Legislative Council.
True copy.
(Signed) CEOIL C. SMITH, Acting Colonial Secretary.
Inclosure 3 in No. 6. Report.
1. YOUR Committee bave carefully considered the Bill "to provide a General Register of Marriages celebrated in Hong Kong. They have, also, weighed the objections and suggestions regarding the Bill, made by the representatives of the different Religious Communities, and they beg to report as follows:-
2. With the exception of the Roman Catholic Clergy, there is a strongly expressed opinion in favour of the measure, although there are objections to some of its minor details. These refer more especially to the time required to elapse between giving a notice of marriage and the issue of a certificate by the Registrar-General (section 11) and to the table of fees. It was further urged by some that publication by banns should be allowed to take the place of notice to the Registrar-General.
3. On these points, your Committee recommend that in section 11 "twenty-one" days be altered to “ fifteen "
days; that the table of fees be reduced according to
the scale annexed to the print of the Bill attached to this report, but that nothing be allowed to interfere with the requirements of the Bill as to notifying to the Registrar-General the particulars specified. Your Committee, on this last point, would draw attention to the fact, that the proposed law does not affect the law as to publication of marriages by banns. It simply enjoins on the parties to a present marriage and the officiating minister certain civil duties of no irksome character, in addition to what the Anglican Church requires under a recognized regulation. They think, therefore, that the two obligations--one to the Church, and the other to the State-should be kept distinct and apart.
4. The objection to the Bill raised by the Roman Catholio Clergy is based on a question of principle. They hold that the proposed enactment is at variance with Roman Catholic doctrine and practice, and they abstain from discussing the details of the Bill until its principle be altered.
5. Your Committee find that the Bill is drawn up in accordance with an Ordinance passed in Ceylon so long ago as 1868, and although the staff of Roman Catholic Clergy in that Colony is far larger than in Hong Kong, no public complaints have been made leading us to believe that the measure is not successful in its operation, or objectionable to all those whom it concerns. principle of the Bill is recognized in so-called Roman Catholic countries, such as Further, the France and Belgium, where obligations in relation to marriages similar to those found in the proposed Ordinance are in force, and this Legislature has therefore many important precedents by which to guide itself in accepting the Bill as brought forward by the Government after receiving the approval of the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
6. Your Committee, upon consideration of the whole facts, respectfully recommend that no alteration of the principles of the Bill be entertained, and that, as amended, it be passed by the Council.
Council Chamber, April 6, 1875.
(Signed)
CECIL CLEMENTI SMITH, JOHN BRAMSTON. W. H. ALEXANDER. JAMES WHITTALL. HENRY LOWCOCK.