XN000022-1973-05-09 — Page 14

13

Wednesday, May 9, 1973

NO MASS MARRIAGES

The Acting Attorney General,the Hon. G.C. Thornton

said today

that a mass marriage ceremony would be invalid without a special licence

and such a licence is 'unlikely to be granted'.

Mr. Thornton was replying to a question by the Hon. Mrs. Ellen

Li in the Legislative Council meeting this afternoon.

Mrs. Li had asked whether a mass marriage ceremony held in a

night club had any legal validity.

"Under the Marriage Ordinance," Mr. Thornton said, "a marriage

may be contracted before the Registrar of Marriage or a Deputy Registrar

or alternatively may be contracted at a place of public worship licensed

by the Governor."

There are at present 13 full-time Marriage Registries and 14

part-time registries in the New Territories.

"If a number of couples should wish to marry on the same day

or at the same registry, then, so long as he is given adequate notice,

the Registrar will do his best to make satisfactory arrangements," he added.

/14