INSPECTION. 
299> 
INSPECTION. 
Insteuctions to inspectors appointed under the Friendly 
Societies Act, 1875. 
The inspector’s business is confined to the two following- 
functions :— 
1. Examining into the affairs of the society. 
2. Reporting thereon to the chief registrar, or, as the case- 
may be ; the assistant registrar for Scotland or Ireland. 
The inspector is in no wise an arbitrator, still less a judge, 
and has no power to decide disputed questions of law or of 
fact, nor has he to fulfil the duties of auditor or valuer. 
The inspection primarily concerns only the society and 
its members ; strangers have no right to be present, and 
should only be admitted if the inspector thinks it desirable, 
and with the consent of both parties to the inquiry, viz.,, 
the applicants and the society. 
For the due discharge of his functions, however, he is 
invested with certain important powers :— 
(1.) He may require the production of all or any of the 
books and documents of the society. 
(2.) He may examine on oath any— 
(a.) Officer, 
(&.) Member, 
(c.) Agent, or 
(d.) Servant 
of the society in relation to its business, administering the 
oath himself (sect. 23, sub-sect. 1). 
The word “ officer,” by the definition in sect. 4, “ ex 
tends to any trustee, treasurer, secretary, or member of the 
committee of management of a society, or person appointed 
by the society to sue and be sued on its behalf.” 
In conducting his inquiries the inspector should, in the 
first instance, put the applicants or their representatives 
upon the proof of their allegations. Bearing, however, in 
mind that his task is to examine and report upon the 
affairs of the society, he is in no wise bound to limit his 
inquiries to the proof or disproof of the specific allegations 
made. On the other hand, he should not admit to exami 
nation all persons who tender themselves as witnesses 
irrespective of the matters to be proved. 
He will at all times use his discretion as to examining