14 
INTRODUCTION. 
advise with the secretary or other officer, if re 
quired, for the purpose of ascertaining whether 
such rules were calculated to carry into effect the 
intentions and object of the persons who desired 
to form the society; and if he found such rules 
to he in conformity with law and with the pro 
visions of the Act, to give a certificate to that 
effect. Societies granting annuities were, before 
registration, to obtain the certificate of a qualified 
actuary. All fees for registry were abolished. 
20. In other respects, the Act of 1855 gave 
new privileges and facilities to societies; for 
example, it provided :— 
1st. That a society might transfer its engagements to any 
other society, upon such terms as the trustees and com 
mittee of management, or a majority of the members of 
each society, should agree upon. 
2nd. That buildings for the purpose of holding the meet 
ings of the society might be purchased, built, or taken 
upon lease; and also adapted and furnished; that land 
not exceeding one acre might also be taken for the purpose 
of erecting such a building, and such premises might be 
mortgaged, sold, exchanged, or let; provided that the 
money required for such purpose was to be raised “ accord 
ing to the rules of the society on such behalf inserted.” 
3rd. That whenever on the death of a member a sum 
not exceeding ,£50 became payable, the same might, with 
out talcing out letters of administration, be paid to the 
person mentioned in the rules, or to the widow or relative 
of the deceased, nominated by him by any writing deposited 
with the secretary, or in default of there being any such 
nominee, then to the person appearing to the trustees to be 
entitled under the Statute of Distributions. 
21. By tbe 21 & 22 Viet. c. 101 (1858), the Act 
of 1855 was amended by making further provision 
against undue assurance on the lives of children,