(9.) To convene a general meeting of the Association within six months after the memorandum of association is registered (S. 75,) and "once at least every year" (S. 74)

(10.) To make out and file with the Registrar within twelve months after registration, and once at least in every year afterwards, a balance-sheet containing a summary of the property and liabilities of the Association, after it is audited and laid before the general meeting. (S. 74.)

(11.) To have the accounts examined and the correctness. of the balance-sheet certified by one or more auditor or auditors once at least every year" (S. 74.)

(12.) To produce books and documents before, and to submit to an examination into its affairs by, a government inspector. Such an inspector can only be appointed upon the application of not less than one-fifth of the whole number of members, supported by such evidence as the Local Government may require for the purpose of showing that the applicants have good reason for requiring such investigation to be made, and that they are not actuated by malicious motives in instituting the same (SS. 83, 84.)

(13.) To cause minutes of all resolutions and proceedings of general meetings and of the managers of the Association to be duly entered in books to be provided for the purpose. (S. 92.)

It will thus be seen that an association formed under S. 26, of Act VI. of 1882, enjoys several important advantages-while the duties imposed on it are either such as are usually discharged or such as ensure the regular conduct of business.

III.

The Hindu Social Reform Association in Sind at first applied for the amendment of Act XXI. of 1860-and on their memorial the following resolution was passed.

"HINDU SOCIAL REFORM ASSOCIATION IN SIND."

No. 3765.

GENERAL DEPARTMENT.

Bombay Castle, 23rd October 1886.

Letter from the Officiating Secretary to the Government of India, Home Department, Public, No. 1628. dated 8th October:

"I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 372, dated the 29th January 1886, forwarding a memorandum from the Commissioner in Sind with a memorial to the address of His Excellency the Viceroy from the Hindu Social Reform Association, Sind,' in which the association prays for the amendment of Act XXI. of 1880 (an Act for the Registration of Literary, Scientific and Charitable Societies) so as to place that body on the same footing as charitable and other associations under the Act. For this purpose the memorialists are advised that it will be only necessary to amend the preamble and Section 20 of the Act by the addition of the words 'social reform.' The objects the memorialists have in view are stated to be' to put an end in their community to the early marriage and early widowhood of girls, and at the same time to do away with the ruinous marriage expenses now incurred by fathers of female children.'

"2. In reply I am to say that, on a recent examination of the provisions of Act XXI. of 1860, it was found that they were defective in many respects, and that if the Act is to be amended it will probably require to be thoroughly examined

and extensively altered. For such an extensive revision the present time is not opportune. I am, however, to point out that a more convenient mode of incorporating public bodies has since been provided by Section 26 of the Indian Companies Act VI. of 1882, and that numerous clubs and other societies formed for objects not unlike those contemplated by the Hindu Social Reform Association of Sind have been incorporated under the corresponding section of the English Companies Act. I am accordingly to suggest for the consideration of His Excellency the Governor of Bombay in Council whether the provisions of of the Indian Companies Act VI. of 1882 might not be made available in the present case, the necessity for the amendment of Act XXI. of 1860 being thus avoided."

Resolution.-Copy of the letter from the Government of India should be forwarded to the Commissioner in Sind, with reference to his memorandum No. 13, dated 7th January last, for communication to the Hindu Social Reform Association in Sind, and with a request that the views of the Association may be obtained on the suggestion made by the Government of India and reported to Government.

J. DE. C. ATKINS,

Under Secretary to Government."

On examining Act. VI. of 1882, the Association agreed with the Government of India that this enactment provided a more convenient mode of incorporating public bodies," and acted accordingly.

66

The following memorandum and articles bore 230 signatures mostly of heads of families, when sent to Government. Many more signatures will be given if the workers do their duty.

MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION.

1. The name of the Association is "The Hindu Social Reform Association."

2. The Registered office of the Association will be situate in Hyderabad Sind.

3. The objects for which the Association is established

are:

(1.) The prevention of premature marriages.

(2.) The reduction of marriage expenses.

(3.) The promotion of female education, and the improvement of the status of woman.

(4.) The doing all such other lawful things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objects.

4. The income and property of the Association whencesoever derived shall be applied solely towards the promotion of the objects of the Association as set forth in this Memorandum of Association, and no portion thereof shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly by way of dividend, bonus, or otherwise howsoever, by way of profit to the members of the Association.

Provided that nothing herein shall prevent the payment, in good faith, of remuneration to any officers or servants of the Association or to any member of the Association or other person, in return for any services actually rendered to the Association.

5. If any member of the Association pays or receives any dividend, bonus, or other profit in contravention of the terms of the 4th paragraph of this Memorandum, his liability shall be unlimited,

6. Every member of this Association undertakes to contribute to the assets of the Association, in the event of the same being wound up during the time that he is a member, or within one year afterwards, for payment of the debts and liabilities of the Association contracted before the term at which he ceases to be a member, and of the costs, charges and expenses of winding up the same, and for the adjustment of the rights of the contributories amongst themselves, such amount as may be required not exceeding Rs. 10 or, in case of his liability becoming unlimited, such other amount as may be required in pursuance of the last preceding paragraph of this Memorandum.

7. If, upon the winding up or dissolution of the Association there remains, after the satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities, any property whatsoever, the same shall not be paid to or distributed among the members of the Association, but shall be given or transferred to some other institution or institutions having objects similar to the objects of the Association, to be determined by the members of the Association at or before the time of dissolution, or in default thereof by such court as may have or acquire jurisdiction in the matter.

8. True accounts shall be kept of the sums of money received and expended by the Association, and the matters in respect of which such receipts and expenditure take place and of the property, credits and liabilities of the Association, and subject to any reasonable restrictions as to the time and manner of inspecting the same that may be imposed in accordance with the regulations of the Association for the time being, shall be open to the inspection of the members. Once at least every year the accounts of the Association shall be examined, and the correctness of the balance-sheet ascertained by one or more properly qualified Auditor or Auditors.

We, the several persons whose names and addresses are subscribed, are desirous of being formed into an Association in pursuance of this Memorandum of Association.

Names, addresses and descriptions of subscribers.

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION.

1. For the purposes of registration, the number of the members of the Association is declared to be unlimited.

2. These articles shall be construed with reference to the provisions of the Companies Act VI. of 1882, and terms used in these articles shall be taken as having the same respective meanings as they have when used in that Act.