Registrar-Generals-Department-Annual-report-1964-1965 — Page 54

since the first entry was made on 22nd July 1957 up to 31st March 1965. Table XXXVIII shows the relationship of adopters to the 956 children adopted under the Adoption Ordinance up to 31st December 1964, distinguishing sex and age. It will be seen from this that nearly twice as many female children were adopted as male, the totals being 629 and 327 respectively. 306 of the children adopted were under two years old, 71 two years old, and 154 three and four years old. Thus 531 or more than half of the 956 children adopted were under five years old when adopted. The remaining 425 were distributed among the age groups thus, 5-9 254, 10-14 130, and 15-20 41. In the cases of joint adopters and sole female adopters the adopters fall mainly into the category of no stated relationship. In the case of sole male adopters, however, the father is usually the adopter.

Compilation of Vital Statistics

166. 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. In relation to these statistics close liaison with the Medical and Health Department and the Statistical Branch of the Commerce and Industry Department is maintained.

Fees

167. The fees collected during the year amounted to $253,131. Particu- lars are given in Table XXXIX.

Companies

PART X

NEW LEGISLATION

168. The Companies (Prevention of Evasion of the Societies Ordin- ance) Ordinance 1959 was extended for a further year by a resolution of the Legislative Council passed on 23rd December 1964.

Official Receiver

169. The Bankruptcy (Amendment) (No. 2) Rules 1964 corrected a typographical error in the Bankruptcy (Amendment) Rules 1964.

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