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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1981
NEW MARRIAGE REGISTRY IN CENTRAL OPENS WEDNESDAY
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PEOPLE PLANNING TO MARRY BEFORE THE COMING LUNAR NEW YEAR L HAVE A NIC NEW MARRIAGE REGISTRY TO GO TO AT COTTON TREE IVE, WHICH WILL OPEN FOR SERVICE ON WEDNESDAY (DECEMBER 2).
+IT IS A CHINESE TRADITION FOR COUPLES TO SELECT AN AUSPICIOUS DATE TO CELEBRATE THEIR MARRIAGE CEREMONY AND MOST OF THESE DATES BEFORE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HAVE ALREADY BEEN FULLY BOOKED IN OTHER MARRIAGE REGISTRIES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAIT.
+AS THE COTTON TREE DRIVE MARRIAGE REGISTRY IS A NEW ONE, COUPLES WHO GIVE NOTICE AT THIS REGISTRY OF THEIR INTENTION TO MARRY HAVE A GOOD CHANCE TO SELECT A LUCKY' DATE FOR THE CEREMONY, HE ADDED.
THE NEW MARRIAGE REGISTRY IS LOCATED ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF ROWLINSON HOUSE, VICTORIA BARRACKS, OPPOSITE MURRAY BUILDING AND IS JUST TWO MINUTES' WALK FROM THE VICTORIA BARRACKS COTTON TREE DRIVE ENTRANCE.
A UNIQUE FEATURE OF THIS REGISTRY IS THAT IT HAS A PICTURESQUE GARDEN WITH A SUGAR PALM TREE WHICH, ACCORDING TO CHINESE SAYING, IS A SYMBOL OF ETERNAL LOVE AND EVERLASTING MARRIAGE, THUS PROVIDING AN EXCELLENT BACKGROUND FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.
THE NEW REGISTRY OCCUPIES AN AREA OF ABOUT 250 SQUARE METRES AND HAS A BEAUTIFULLY-DECORATED MARRIAGE CEREMONY HALL WITH A SEATING CAPACITY OF 25 AND ROOM FOR MANY ATTENDANTS. IN ADDITION, THERE IS A COMFORTABLE POWDER ROOM WITH DRESSING TABLES AND LARGE MIRRORS.
AND, UNLIKE OTHER REGISTRIES, THERE IS SPACE FOR PARKING.
THE REGISTRY WILL BE OPEN FROM 8.45 AM TO 1 PM AND FROM 2 PM TO 5.15 PM ON WEEKDAYS. ON SATURDAYS, IT WILL OPEN FROM 9 AM TO NOON.
+FROM JANUARY TO OCTOBER THIS YEAR, A TOTAL OF 39 641 MARRIAGES WAS PERFORMED IN OUR MARRIAGE REGISTRIES. OF THESE, 16 PER CENT WERE REGISTERED IN CITY HALL MARRIAGE REGISTRY,+ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
+WE HOPE THE OPENING OF COTTON TREE DRIVE MARRIAGE REGISTRY WILL REDUCE THE HEAVY WORKLOAD AT CITY HALL.+
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