74 
38 & 39 Vict. Cap. 60, s. 15. 
branch] in preference to any other debts or claims against 
the estate of such officer. 
Bankruptcy or insolvency in the present section includes 
liquidation of a debtor’s affairs by arrangement in England, 
cessio bonorum of a debtor in Scotland, and a petition for 
arrangement with creditors in Ireland; and a trustee in 
bankruptcy or insolvency includes an assignee in Ireland 
and a judicial factor in Scotland (a). 
(8.) Membership of minors.—A person under the ago of 
twenty-one, but above the age of sixteen, may be a mem 
ber of a society, unless provision be made in the rules 
thereof to the contrary, and may, subject to the rules of 
the society, enjoy all the rights of a member (except as 
herein provided), and execute all instruments and give all 
acquittances necessary to be executed or given under the 
rules, but shall not be a member of the committee of 
management, trustee, manager or treasurer of the so 
ciety (b). 
Provided as follows :— 
(a.) Societies and branches, consisting wholly of mem 
bers of any age under sixteen years, but exceed 
ing three years, may be allowed to register under 
this Act, subject to such regulations as may be 
made in that behalf; 
(b.) No rule or practice in force at the commencement 
of this Act for the admission of members under 
sixteen years of age shall be deemed contrary to- 
any express provision of this Act as respects any 
society already registered (c). 
(а) This is a restoration or confirmation of the priorities, 
against the estates of officers, given by 18 & 19 Vict. c. 63, s. 23, 
which, in the case of bankruptcy, had been considered to be 
abolished by the Bankruptcy Act, 1869. But see Re Keyworth y 
in the 8th edition of this work, pp. 23, 240. See also Appendix. 
(б) This is founded on the 18 & 19 Vict. c. 63, s. 15, but the 
minimum of sixteen years is new. See Treasury regulations 
19, 20. 
(e) These provisions are new.