No. 100

In fulfilment of the intention announced in my despatch No. 77
of the 29th of July, I have considered in the Executive
Council the mode in which the Registration of Births, Marriages
and Deaths should be effected.

2. I was at once reminded by the Council of the futile attempts
I had made on two occasions, on the Mainland, to legislate on
this subject. My Bills did not meet the views of the Council
and after long and wearying consideration they found that they
themselves had nothing to suggest in their place. Then, towards the
end of the Session, the whole matter would be shelved for—in the eyes
of the Council—more important business.

3. I really do not know how a general system of Registration
could be worked satisfactorily here. The population is greatly
scattered. The Majority are Indians whom we could hardly expect to register any one of the three great events of life. Many of
the white men are living in a state of concubinage with Indian women far in the Interior. They would hardly come forward to
register the birth of some half breed bastard.

4. In regard to white or coloured people residing in the more
civilized parts of the Country, they could always, if desirous,
get their child's baptismal certificate, their own marriage
certificate, or the certificate of burial of any one in whom
they take an interest.