CHINESE AT TUAPEKA.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2238, 9 July 1870, Page 2

CHINESE AT TUAPEKA.

“ Passing events" in this week’s number of the tmpeka T'vtim have reference to the subject of matrimony, and if all the writer says be true, the condition of things at Tuapeka is much to be regretted “ Marriage is becoming deservedly popular in Tuapeka. It is a ceremony of great antiquity, dating as it does from the Garden of Eden, where it was decide 1 that it was not good for man to be alone. The ceremony has been recognised in some farm or other both in civilised and unc.vilieod countries all over the world. In the Christian morld it is received as one of the most sacred rites of the church, and in addition to its socialising influences, it has been productive of incalculable happiness to its participants. I do not say that the curst; has not oil many occasions followed un wise and n’utimq'y unions, and a wretched snarling life has been tbe result to both husband and wife. There is no more pitiable life than thqt qf a couple unequally yoked —a life of nagging aryl snarling, where the true flame qf Iqvc never existed, and where no purer passion evor held sway than that exemplified by dog-love. I have been led into tlx s train of thought by the ecneiaj rush madeu on tho Chinamen lately by some qf the feipalp qhildrqu of our town. Tiny things from twelve to fourteen, almost before they have reached tho ago of puberty, are going crazy about getting mairiod. There was one actually tbe other day who

went to the Registrar, and asked him to marry her to one of the Chinamen at the camp. The Registrar wisely refused to do any such thing, and bade her go about her business, but she declared she would go and live with the Chinaman if he would not many them. True to her word, she went to the Chinese camp, but was followed by Constable Titehener, who arrested her und ;r some Act or another—the Vagrancy Act, I suppose—and lodged her in the camp on the top of the hill. The only place fitted for headstrong youngsters like these in the Industrial 8 bool, where I hope this baby aspirant to matrimony will be secured for two or three years, to cool her youthful ardour. It is only a short time ago since a child of twelve or thirteen was married to one of our Mongolian brothers on Tnapeka Flat, and it will be well to try the experiment first before allowing any other similar sacrifice to t dee place on the hymeneal altar. Wo do well as a district to protest against these unseemly marriages, but I think renter facilities should be afforded those who are really eligible. In Gnat Britain, some twenty years ago, and previous to that time, m-image was conducted in a very loose way. Many young people, captivated with I each other, and Inviug decided objections to have the ceremony conducted by a clergyman, took advantage of the service of men who gained for themselves the very appropriate name of buckle-beggars, sue i as the Gretna Green blacksmith The Imperial Government, to prevent the increase of such a disgraceful state of things, and to give well-disposed persona an opportunity of becoming in the eyes of the law man and wife without the usual religious ceremony, passed a bill by which registrars in different towns and districts, as well as ministers of religion, • were empowered to consummate the wishes of the marrying inclined, at a very small cost. This change in the law has worked rem trkably well at home, and Has produced a much healthier moral tone than formerly. Our New Zealand Government appear to consider an opposite course more likely to produce beneficial resu'ts, as they levy a heavy tax upon marriage ceremonies performed by their appointed registrars, the lowest sum being L 3, after paying for the certifisato —that is, if the persons are willing to wait fourteen days ; but if they cannot wait so long, then a larger fee is demanded. The clergy in this district are not behind in charging an exorbitant fee for performing this religious duty, and in many oa-ies charge more than the re ffstrar, but I believe never less. Some poor fellow who is completely over head and ears in love will even make a present (although, perhaps, ho can hardly spare it) of a LIO note to the clergyman who is so kind as to consumate his wishes, rather than ask the rev. gentleman his charge. I consider, if our paternal Government or spiritual overseers had the good of the people at heart, they would not continue to exact so heavy a tribute for so little labour. The price of the certificate, somewhere about 7s 6d, and an extra charge of LI would be something like a reasonable charge to make.