THE EARL OF LIMERICKasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies under what Conditions the Diocesan Registrar of Sydney holds the Registry of Norfolk Island? He had been informed that this officer treated the registry as his private property, and was unwilling to allow extracts to be made except by personal friends, or on payment of a heavy fee. From this cause great inconvenience was felt, and he himself had suffered from the conduct of the registrar. He believed that this officer held mistaken views as to this matter, and he was, therefore, desirous of information upon it.
THE EARL OF CARNARVONstated that the Question had been very properly asked, although he was not in a position to give all the information his noble Friend desired. When the convict establishment on Norfolk Island was broken up, the island was transferred to the Government of Tasmania, although it still appertained as aforetime to the diocese of Sydney. According to a local Act passed by the Legislature of Sydney, in the sixth year of the reign of Geo. IV., it was enacted that every clergyman should keep registers of the births, deaths, and marriages, and make 1278 them available for public use. These registrations were to be forwarded to the registrar of the Archdeacon's Court at Sydney, who was to show them to any one for a shilling, or make an extract for half-a-crown. This court had been subsequently abolished, and the diocese subdivided. He apprehended, however, that the Act 6 Geo. IV. was binding upon the present registrar of the Bishop of Sydney. He would make a communication to the colony, and call the attention of the Colonial Government to the Act in question.
§ House adjourned at a quarter past Six o'clock, till To-morrow, half past Ten o'clock.