HASTY MARRIAGES

Hokitika Guardian, 18 October 1930, Page 7

HASTY MARRIAGES

EIGHT DAYS’ NOTICE REQUIRED

VANCOUVER, September 12. The restraining hand of the law will he placed on the shoulders of enthusiastic young couples making hasty decisions to marry. Two important changes in the Marriage Act enacted at the session of the British Columbia Legislature have gone into effect. The application for a license is inquired to be by statutory declaration, stating in detail the age and status of each party, and it cannot he made unless at least one of the parties has msided in the, province for a period cf eight days immediately preceding. The issue of marriage licenses, if he is not satisfied with the correctness of the facts stated in the application, may require the production of further evidence, or may require the personal attendance of both parties or of their witnesses for interrogation under oath. If either party is under the age of 21 years the issue will require the filing with him of written consent of the parents. The marriage license is not to be issued on the day the application is made, hut only after eight days l;om the filing of the application have elapsed. The issuance of the license may be further delayed by the filing by any person with the issuer of a caveat showing cause why the marriage should not take place, Provision is made for a special permit for speedy marriage in the Occasional case where such is desirable. A warning is also given that no minister shall perform the marriage except those licensed by the Government.