XN000022-1973-01-04 — Page 5

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Thursday, January 4, 1973

CENTENARY ANNIVERSARY OF BIRTHS & DEATHS REGISTRATION

January 1, 1973 was the centenary anniversary of the commencement

of births and deaths registration in Hong Kong.

In drawing attention to this the Registrar General, Mr. W. Hume,

noted that the first Ordinance to provide for the registration of births

and deaths in the Colony was enacted on July 23, 1872 and came into force

on January 1, 1873.

Prior to this, Mr. Hune said, the only records relating to births

and deaths were the Registers of Baptisms and Burials kept by churches.

In 1873, the numbers of births and deaths registered were

1,796 and 2,754 respectively, as compared with 79,053 and 21,145 in 1972.

Mr. Hume cautioned, however, that in comparing these figures

account must be taken of the fact that whereas the more recent figures are

believed to be virtually complete, those for 1873 are less accurate, even

though the 1872 Ordinance provided a penalty of $25 for failure to register

births or deaths within 60 days.

According to the census of December 1, 1872 the total population

of Hong Kong on that date was 121,985 as compared with an estimated

population of 4,093,500 on December 1, 1972.

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