FEWER MARRIAGES.

Shannon News, 8 January 1929, Page 3

FEWER MARRIAGES.

DECLINE OP 25 PER CENT. IN TWO YEARS. /■- BIRTH RATE LOW LAST QUARTER / A substantial- decline in the marriage rate is disclosed in the vital sta- \ tistics for the past year, as compiled by the Registrar at Levin (Mr J. D. O'Connor). The falling-off has been a steady one from 1926, represented by the figures 38, 33 and 28 for the.three years concerned. No doubt, hard times have been responsible for this state of .affairs, and a slight improvement in the-matrimonial returns for the last quarter may be an indication of returning prosperity. Of the 28 marri- ' ages for wnich licenses were issued last year, five were conducted by tho Registrar. Despite ■ the factors that , have worked against home'making, the natural increase of population has been .fairly well maintained. The number of births is just below that of the previous. year and 11 per cent above ,that of 1926. For the quarter the .'figures are down, being only half '. rhose of the corresponding period ol" / 1926; but ihe deficiency will in all probability be made up during the course of this year. It i 3 satisfactory

to note that the death rate is comparatively low, the figures last year , being no more than they were two •years previously. The following tables give the vital statistics for the past three years and for the December quarter in each of

sby Registrar. Oct.-Dec. Oct.-Dec. Oet.-Dec.

those years;- - .": : . '-'•• ■;■ 1928 •■ 1927 1926 Births '■■':",; 111 113 100 t)eaths 22 29 . 22 Marriages' 28* 33 38

1028 1927 1926 Births . 16 < 22:. 32 Deaths ,5 8 4 Marriages 6* ■.-'• 8 S *2 by Registrar.