INTRODUCTION. 
9 
imperfect and inefficient,” provided for the making 
of quinquennial returns of sickness and mortality 
in a form prescribed, and for their being laid 
before parliament (a). 
13. The provision requiring the justices to be 
satisfied that the tables proposed to be used were 
safe, before they allowed and confirmed the rules, 
was repealed by an Act of the 30th July, 1834' 
(4 & 5 Will. 4, c. 40). Thenceforth societies 
were to be free to establish themselves upon what 
conditions and with what rates they chose, pro 
vided only they could satisfy the barrister that 
the rules were “ calculated to carry into effect the 
intention of the parties framing them/’ and were 
“in conformity to law.” The objects or purposes 
for which societies might be formed were extended 
to include provision against any natural state or 
contingency whereof the occurrence is susceptible 
of calculation by way of average, and any other 
pui-pose which is not illegal; provided that the 
contributions for such other purposes were kept 
distinct. 
14. Other sections of this Act improved the 
provisions with respect to the settlement of dis 
putes, and declared that letters to and from the 
barrister should he free of postage. The Acts of 
1829 and 1834 are still in force with regard to 
such Benefit Building Societies as have not been 
(a) These returns have regularly been made at the end 
of every five years from 1835 to 1880. Abstracts of those 
from 1860 to 1875 have recently been ordered by parliament 
to be printed. 
b 3