Registrar-Generals-Department-Annual-report-1960-1961 — Page 29

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Vital Statistics

80. The Births and Deaths Registry is responsible for the compila- tion of vital statistics for the Colony. The Hollerith system is used for compiling statistics of mortality, and information is recorded by means of punched cards, covering the age, sex, marital status, nationality, occupation, place of death of the deceased, and also the cause of death, whether the body was sent to a mortuary, and the registration number of the attending doctor. Close liaison with the Medical and Health Department and the Statistical Office of the Commerce and Industry Department is maintained in relation to these statistics.

Millionth Post-War Birth Certificate

81. The distinction of being the holder of post-war birth certificate No. 1,000,000 fell to Lo Man-kam, who was born at the Kwong Wah Hospital on 3rd March, 1960. At a brief ceremony held on 1st April the Registrar General presented the child with a gold, peach-shaped pendant inscribed with the Chinese character (Sau) symbolizing longevity. In return the father presented him with some traditional red eggs.

Fees

82. The fees collected during the year amounted to the new record total of $232,459, $14,086 more than in 1959-60. Particulars are given in Table XXI.

Explanatory

PART VIII

OFFICIAL RECEIVER IN BANKRUPTCY

AND COMPANIES WINDING UP

83. The present Bankruptcy Ordinance (Cap. 6) is the descendant of a long line of Ordinances commencing with No. 3 of 1846, passed 'for the relief of Insolvent Debtors within the Colony of Hong Kong'. The Ordinance and the Rules made thereunder follow with some variations the English Bankruptcy Legislation. The law relating to the winding up of companies by the Court is contained in the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32) and the Companies (Winding-up) Rules made thereunder, which are based respectively on the Companies Act, 1929, formerly in force in Britain, and the Winding-up Rules thereunder.

84. Considering the huge number of businesses in Hong Kong- there were on 31st March, 1961 no less than 68,045 businesses registered

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