§ MR. KNATCHBULL - HUGESSENasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether any Colonies which have passed Bills for legalizing Marriage with a Deceased Wife's Sister since 1874 have forwarded the same for Her Majesty's sanction; and, if so, if he will specify the names of such Colonies, the dates at which such Bills were received, and the dates at which such sanction (if any) was given, or the reasons for delay?
§ MR. J. LOWTHERSir, since 1874 Bills for legalizing marriage with a deceased wife's sister have been forwarded for Her Majesty's sanction from the Governments of Now South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia. The New South Wales Bill was received on September 27, 1875. Her Majesty's assent was communicated by despatch, dated December 8, 1875. The Queensland Bill was received on the 15th of November, 1875. Objections being entertained against it as being ultra vires, it was referred to the Lord Chancellor, by whom certain recommendations were made, and in due course forwarded to the Colony. An amended Bill was received at the Colonial Office on the 21st of September, 1877, and was again referred to the Lord Chancellor, by whom it has been approved, and an Order in Council for its confirmation has now been made. The Western Australian Bill was received on the 16th of December, 1876. As it appeared to be open to somewhat similar objections as the original Queensland Bill, it was referred to the Law Officers, and Amendments were suggested by despatch, dated February 22, 1877. An 159 amended Bill was received on the 22nd of October, 1877, and is at this moment under the consideration of the Law Officers of the Crown.