6 
INTRODUCTION. 
the particular society was to provide against were 
within the true meaning and intent of the Act, 
and that the formation of the society would he 
useful and beneficial, regard being had to the 
existence of other societies in the same district. 
No tables or rules connected with calculation 
were to be confirmed by the justices until they 
had been approved by two persons at least, known 
to be professional actuaries or persons skilled in 
calculation (a), as fit and proper, according to the 
most correct calculation of which the nature of 
the case would admit. 
8. The justices in quarter sessions were also 
by this Act authorized to publish general rules 
for the formation and government of Friendly 
Societies within their county. Every society was 
required to have at least three trustees, of whom 
the majority were to be substantial householders, 
rated at not less than £50. No society was to dis 
solve or to divide its funds without the consent of 
its trustees, aud the certificate of two professional 
actuaries “ or persons skilled in calculation/'’ 
approved as such by the justices, that “ according 
to the most correct calculation of which the case 
would admit,” the interest of all contributors and 
claimants, in possession or expectancy, were by 
the proposed scheme of dissolution fairly dealt 
with and secured. 
9. In exchange for these restrictions, societies 
were allowed to invest their funds in savings 
(a) This soon got to he interpreted in practice to mean 
such persons as the village schoolmaster.