Quality Will Tell WATSON'S No. 10 THE WEDDING OF “JOHN SMITH."

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 3794, 3 April 1913, Page 7

Quality

Will Tell

WATSON'S

No. 10

THE WEDDING OF “JOHN SMITH."

CEREMONIES BEFORE THE REGISTRAR. INCREASING IN NUMBER. SOME INTERESTING COMMENTARY. [BY TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT] AUCKLAND, April 2. During last year there were 1600 marriages in Auckland, and of this number no less than 343 were performed by the Registrar. During the quarter ’ just ended there -were 400 marriages solemnised in this city, and of the number 89 were in the Registrar’s office. In Auckland last year the marriages by the Registrar totalled 22 per cent, of the total recorded. In Wellington the figures represented slightly over 22 per cent., Christchurch 19 per cent., and Dunedin 18 per cent. The average for the Dominion was 16.63 per cent, of the total marriages for the year.

Marriage by the Registrar is not confined to one. class only. It costs just- as much to ho married by the Registrar as by anybody else, the tec being £1 2s 6d. Three days’ notice has to be given of intention to marry, and this regulation is only wavered in the case of the bride coming from another country. Under such circumstances other "due formalities have to be observed, but the authorities consider that there is no justification in keep-ing-a bride who is a stranger to the country waiting three days. The ceremony is naturally exceedingly simple, and does not last- more than a few minutes

The parties, accompanied by two witnesses, appear before the Government official. The man subscribes as follows: “I, John Smith (or whatever the name may be), do solemnly declare that I 'know nothing of anv lawful impediment why T may net- be joined in matrimony to Mary Brown.’’ The bride repeats the declaration, then the man announces: “I call on those persons here present to witness that I, John Smith, do take thee, Mary Brown, to bo my lawful wedded wife.”

The lady repeats the formula, the papers are signed, and Mr. and Mrs. Smith go' forth a married couple. It is not necessary for the bridegroom to pro vide a wedding ring—the law docs not look upon the little plain band of gold as a necessary part of the ceremony. In only two cases in 16 years, however, has the Registrar united a. couple without the ring being produced by the bridegroom, and in those two cases the officer imparted a. little fatherly advice after the ceremony, which had the effect of sending man and wife in search of a jeweller’s' shop. The wisdom of providing for three days’ notice prior to a mam age being conducted has more than once been proved to the Registrar. Runaway minors have not infrequently endeavored to enter matrimonial bonds by giving notice of their intention tq quietly go through the ceremony in the Registrar’s Office. The three days, however, have more than once sufficed to enable the relatives to enter caveats in time to prevent those under age from carrying out their intentions.

Auckland’s average of 22 per cent, is considerably above the average for the Dominion

An interesting study is afforded by the following figures representing the percentage of marriages in the various denominations last year:—

Per Cent Church of England 25.60 Presbyterian 26.54 Methodist ... 11.17 Roman Catholic 10.86 Other denominations 9.20 By Registrars 16.63

It is suggested that the reason why the Presbyterian percentage is so high is that ministers of that denomination show less objection to marrying people in their homes if it is so desired. - s