INTRODUCTION. 
15 
by providing for the change of name of a Friendly 
Society, by authorizing proceedings to he taken 
against the secretary or other officer on behalf of 
the society, and in other less important particulars. 
22. By the 23 & 24 Viet. c. 58 (1860), further 
amendments were made, enabling the Registrar to 
dissolve an insolvent society, to enforce annual 
returns from societies, and to make application to 
justices in case of misappropriation of funds. 
23. By 29 Yict. c. 34 (1866), further facilities 
were given for the establishment of societies for 
the assurance of cattle and other animals, by which 
such assurances were permitted without limit of 
amount, and the contributions were made recover 
able as a debt. 
24. By a Bill introduced to the House of Com 
mons on 10th February, 1870 (a), it was proposed 
to amend the laws relating to Friendly Societies by 
abolishing the certificate of the Registrar and 
transferring the duties of the Registrar to the 
Board of Trade, or where they are of a judicial 
character, to a local judge. 
25. This Bill did not become law; but on 29th 
October, 1870, Her Majesty issued a commission (b) 
under the Royal Sign Manual “ to enquire into 
(a) Shortly after the death of Mr. Tidd Pratt, the first 
Registrar. 
(b) The Commissioners were the Right Hon. Sir Stafford 
H. Northcote, Bart., C.B., Sir M. E. Hicks-Beacli, Bart., 
Alderman Sir S. H. AVaterlow, J. Bonham-Cavter, Esq., 
E. M. Richards, Esq., C. S. Roundel!, Esq., F. T. Bircham, 
Esq., and AY. P. Pattison, Esq. J. M. Ludlow, Esq., was 
secretary to the Commission. An amended Commission 
was issued on 17th August, 1871 ; and four Assistant Com 
missioners were appointed in the same year.