CHINESE MARRIAGES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 161, 7 January 1914, Page 5

CHINESE MARRIAGES.

AN INTERESTING LAW POINT. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Two interesting points in cimneetion with Chinese marriage customs wore decided by the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) to-day, in the ease of the Public Trustee v. Ng Kwok Shi and others, concerning the estate of Ah Cliing, late of Grcytown, deceased. Deceased was bom in China, and he came to New Zealand 23 years ago. He marrtad a Chinese woman, Ng Kwok Shi, hut he had also a concubine, whom he hid never >e"». His children all predeceased him. with the exception of a daughter and otic 'son, wiio left twin children. The qties-

tions decided were: Was deceased domiciled in New Zealand? If not, how was his property to be distributed? In a previous judgment fir Hohert Stout held (hat Ah Chomr had not lost the domicile of his origin, and that hi* movable property must he distributed in accordance with the Chinese law.

An English court, said the Chief Jus

tire, had held that concubinage was not the same as polygamy, and that a marriage in Japan was recognised as good, though concubinage existed. His Honor, therefore, was of oninion that (he marriage must be recognised, and the faniilv was entitled to succeed, just as if it bad

been a New Zealand family. Dsnlinc with the second question, the Chief Justice said that Mic nersons entitled to

the leasehold property would be. according to New Zealand law. no <loubt. the persons that would have been entitled to the personal property. Tit New Zcn- !•>•]•'. '<! d"ceaswl had been domiciled in New Zealand, that would- hj? c. thlvl to the wife and two-thirds to the children. Judgment was given accordingly.