638626-1896-Bill-read-Births-and-Deaths-Registration- — Page 9

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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 14TH MARCH, 1896.

(37 & 38 Vic. , 88, 8. 48.)

(Loid.)

Repeal.

(3 of 1895, x. 3.

Commence.

nont of

Ordinance.

(7 of 1872, s. 21.)

The term "public institution" includes a prison, lock up, reformatory, work-house, lunatic asylum and hospital: The term "occupier" includes the governor, keeper, master, manager, director, matron, superintendent, or other chief resident officer in this Colony of every convent or public or charitable or religious institution, and where a house is let or sublet in separate floors or rooms or compartments includes any person residing in such house who either receives or pays rent for such separate floors or rooms or compartments. In cases where a whole house is occupied by any person, without being let or sublet as aforesaid, such person shall, whether he is the owner or not, be deemed to be the "occupier" within the meaning of this Ordinance.

25. Ordinance 7 of 1872 entitled An Ordinance for registering Births and Deaths in Hongkong is hereby repealed.

26. This Ordinance shall come into force on such day as shall be hereafter fixed by proclamation under the hand of the Governor,

Objects and Reasons.

This Ordinance re-enacts certain provisions of The Births and Deaths Ordinance, 1872, which it repeals, and it also incorporates certain sections of the Imperial Act for the registration of Births and Deaths (37 and 38 Vie- toria Chapter 88).

This measure contains, however, a few entirely novel provisions which will now be briefly touched upon.

Scetion 7, sub-section (5), has been framed with the object of obtaining particulars of birth in cases where children are admitted to convents or public or charitable or religious institutions.

Sub-sections (e) and (ƒ) of section 11 are intended to prevent the removal or burial of dead bodics except under properly recognized authority.

Section 12, sub-section (a), alters the present law as to the legal obligations of ministers of religion. By section 11 of Ordinance 7 of 1872 the minister was liable to a fine if he did not, within seven days after performing the burial service, give notice to the Registrar General in cases whore no certificafe or order for burial had been delivered to him. The proposed new sub-section renders the minister liable to punishment if he performs any funeral ceremony in cases where no proper authority for burial has been delivered to him.

Section 12, sub-section (d) (iv), is intended to secure the correct and uniform classification of diseases in the death returns, and sub-section (c) of the same section confers upon the Registrar General power to invoke the assistance of the Colonial Surgeon in cases where he is not satisfied as to the correctness of the reported cause of death.

HENRY E. POLLOCK,

Acting Attorney General.

189

SCHEDULES.

(A.)

Births in the District of

When and where

Name, if any.

Sex.

Hongkong.

| Name and Surname

of Father.

Seme and Maidea

Sernang of

Muther.

Bunk or Profession of Father.

tion and Residence |

Signature, Descrip-

of Informant.

When Registered.

Signature of Registrar.

added after Regis Baptismal name, if tration of Birth.