REGISTRATION OF BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS.

Ashburton Herald, Volume II, Issue 521, 9 December 1879, Page 4

REGISTRATION OF BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS.

Births.—Parents and all other persons present .at a birth, are liable under the Act for Registration under penalty of ; failing, the occupier of house in which such birth took place is liable. Births are registered free up to sixty-two days, day of birth and of registration, both inclusive; afterwards up to six months, on payment of ss. penalty, and after declaration as to truth of particulars being duly made ; • and beyond six months only after conviction before a Magistrate, and on production of certificate of conviction Signed by Magistrate or Clerk to Bench, and within one month of such conviction. There are other provisions as to registration of children found exposed, and registration of names within one year of birth. Marriages.—Marriages must be solemnized with open doors, between eight in the' morning and four in the afternoon, in the presence of two or more witnesses. Persons objecting to be married by a clergyman, can be married in a Registrar's office by a Registrar. Persons desirous of being married must give notice to the Registrar of the district, and take out a Marriage Certificate; but before doing so, must have resided in the district three clear days immediately preceeding the application for certificate. The fees are for Notice and Certificate, £1 2s 6d ; Marriage by Registrar, £1 ; and 2s 6d for Copyof Marriage Registrar. Persons wishing to be married out of the district in which they live, can only do so by residing in the district in which they wish to be married for three clear days, and obtaining certificate from the Registrar of that district. And persons living in different districts must either both reside for three clear days in the same district, or else obtain two Certificates, viz:—one from the Registrar of each of the districts in which they reside. Any person making false affirmation, declaration, or representation before a Registrar, is guilty of misdemeanour.

Deaths. —The occupier of house in which death occurs, and all persons present at a death, are liable for the registration within thirty-one days; and failing these, the Undertaker or person so acting, under penalty of £\ o; but any of the persons liable may depute, in writing, some person acquainted with particulars required to attend and register ; and the person registering MUST in all cases take to the Registrar the Doctor’s Certificate of Death. In all cases of burial, the Undertaker or person so acting, must return to the Registrar within seven days, the Burial Certificate, duly signed by Undertaker and officiating Minister, or two householders present at such burial. Undertakers not returning such Burial Certificates within seven days are liable to a penalty of £$ : and Clergymen officiating and not signing Burial Certificates are also liable to a penalty of £s. Any person not attending to register, after riotice from Registrar is duly given, is liable to a penalty, of ,£2O . There are various other provisions defining powers and duties of Registrar, and imposing penalties for neglect in complying with various provisions of th** Act,