TYING THE NUPTIAL KNOT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14132, 6 August 1909, Page 6

TYING THE NUPTIAL KNOT.

MARRIAGE BY THE REGISTRAR

GROWING IN POPULARITY.

Getting married is doubtless of interest to all, not only to those who have passed through the ordeal, but also to those who have not yet ventured into the dangerous paths of matrimony. ". . • Now, when the bride-elect has fixed the happy day, she generally desires to have a fine "flare-up," but if the prospective bridegroom, who invariably dislikes display, can secure the maiden's ear, they hie them to the registrar of marriages, who can indissolubly tie them up cheaply and amply and without any fuse. And it is surprising how popular this, the most simple way of being wed, is becoming in the Dominion. A registrar of marriages will tie a couple up as tightly as the Archbishop of Canterbury could, and the conditions of such a marriage are by no means unpleasant, although so simple. The registrar is usually a man of experience, and he treats the "happy" couple in a considerate manner throughout the proceedings. The only other persons required by law to be present are two witnesses. A ring is not in any way compulsory, though usually in evidence. The average of marriages throughout the Dominion performed by registrars is a little over 15 per cent., but in the four chief centres this percentage is considerably

exceeded, and a noticeable feature that marriage by the registrar is growing in favour, is evidenced by the fact that in

liese four cities the percentage is going up

every year. Of the remainder of the marriages performed, the Church of England i« responsible for 41 per cent., the Presbyterian Church for 23 per cent., Roman Catholics 14 per cent., and the Methodists 10 per cent.

In the case of marriages in the registrar's office, the bride is generally the more com-

posed, the bridegroom being mostly in a state of fuddle and extreme nervousness, so much so, that it has not been an unknown thing, not once, but many times, for the question of length of residence in the district to elicit a reply from the excited and upset swain as to the length of the house ho proposes to live in. •

Before being married, the parties must have resided in the district where the ceremony is to be performed for a period of at least three days before the event, unless one of the two brings a certificate from the registrar of another district, in which case the three days* residence is only compulsory on the other one, but in any case one party muet have resided in the district for the time stipulated.

Of course all minors must receive the consent of their parents, and if they go through the wedding ceremony without obtaining such, are liable to forfeiture of any property coming to them through such marriage, as well as other pains and penalties. Irate parents, desiring to prevent the wedlock of their offspring, who have not yet reached their majority, can lodge a caveat with the registrar, and this is very often done. A registrar has, therefore, to be very careful when issuing a certificate to , see that no caveat has been lodged. But, in the majority of cases, the parents are appeased, and the marriage comes off happily, though there is a considerable minority in which the would-be contracting parties are doomed to tears and bitter disappointment.

Before the ceremony can be performed, whether it be in church, private house, or registrar's office, the parties have o make declarations as to non-impediment of the marriage, that they have been for a space of three Jays in the district, except in the case mentioned above,'* and in the case of minors, that they have the consent of their parents or guardians. The aspirants after matrimonial. honours must also give their names, condition in life, calling or profession, age, dwelling place, length of residence, and where married. If there be a breach of any of these conditions, the person wilfully making the breach is guilty of perjury, and is liable in the case of swearing there is no impediment to his or her marriage, when there is, to a prosecution for bigamy. The certificates protect the registrars.

The marriage ceremony in this country can be performed by the minister of any religion, provided a petition is forwarded to the Registrar-General by 10 members of any recognised congregation!.

In the case of Quakers, special regulations have been made under the Marriage Act of 1908, which allow them to be wedded according to the usages of their faith, and not by a minister.

The large majority of the brides and bridegrooms wedded in New Zealand are born m the Dominion, but a considerable number of them come from the four corners of the earth, and include all classes, races, and colours. - -

The records of all marriages made in the Dominion are forwarded to the Regis-trar-General at Wellington every three months, and are obtainable from him at any time after then. In the case of marriages contracted in the various registrars' offices, copies of these certificates can always be obtained from the local registrar, but where the wedding occurs in a church or house, especially if some years have elapsed, copies of these certificates have to be obtained from the Registrar-General in Wellington at a fee of 2s 66.

For the benefit of intending victims, the following are the fees required :—Notice of ir-rriagc, 2 6d; registrar's certificate of permission, £1; marriage by registrar, £1 • copy of marriage certificate, 2s 6d.