MANY MARRIAGES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21506, 1 June 1933, Page 10

MANY MARRIAGES

INCREASE IN AUCKLAND POSTPONED CEREMONIES VITAL STATISTICS FOR MAY A continued increase in the number of marriages in Auckland is a striking feature of the vital statistics for May and also for the year to date. Marriages last month totalled 191, compared with 141 for the corresponding month last year. The total for the first five months of the year is 911, against 733 for the corresponding period last year.

Some surprise has been expressed that so many marriages should take place in times of depression, especially as ui many cases bridegrooms describe themselres as " labourers" or " relief workers." " Quite a :ntimber of marriages this year have been between couples who have been engaged for lonj;; periods," an official said yesterday. " They are mostly yo jng people who had intended to be married two or even three years ago. They have been postponing the ceremony month after montli until at last they have got tired of waiting and have decided to risk: matrimony in the hope thai; conditions ma<j improve and in the conviction that they cannot become worse."

Marriages by the registrar in Auckland last month totalled 44, against 'ls in May of last year. However, the total for five months is 239',., compared with 184 for the corresponding period in 1932.

Another interesting feature of t'no vital statistics is that births last month numbered 226, exactly the sarce figure as in May, 1932. However, for the first five months of the year there has been a decrease in the birth rate, the figures being 992 for 1933 and 1049 for 19351.

Deaths have decreased, the figures being 171 for the month, against 179 a year ago, and 721 for the five montl u, compared with 743 for the same period last year. * • ■ •