CO129-320 - Governor Sir Blake Acting Governor May - 1903 [11-12] — Page 105

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suggestion is that it would involve as a necessary preliminary,

Registration of Marriage with some account of the amount of

money involved es a guide in disputes that might arise. This

Registration the Elders declared would be quite agreeable to

the people - they would in fact welcome it: more than 20 wives

having run away in Fat Heung alone during the last two years,

they feel the necessity for action of some sort.

4.

I believe that if this Registration Scheme

is put into practice, it will lead later on naturally and

peacefully, to the further Registration of Births and Deaths.

This point I did not discuss with the Elders.

5.

The Elders present on May 8th., were only

sore of one district: but they pledged themselves confidently

as to the probable views of all the New Territory.

I have etc.,

(Sa.) 6. B. Hellifax,

Police Magistrate, N.I.

The Honourable

K. H. May, O.N.G.,

Colonial Secretary.