合作社条例

目 录条次

第Ⅰ部 导言

1．简称

2．释义

第Ⅱ部 注册

3．注册官及助理注册官之委任

4．可注册之合作社

5．注册条件

6．注册申请

7．注册及上诉

8．合作社属法人团体

9．注册之证据

第Ⅲ部 合作社之职责及特权

10．注册合作社章程之修订

11．社址

12．条例、规则、章程等应可公开让人查阅

13．产品售予注册合作社或经由注册合作社售卖

14．注册合作社之优先索偿权

15．社员股份权益对债务之付偿

16．股份或权益不得受扣押或出售

17．社员死亡后权益之转让

18．未成年人之存款或代未成年人存款

19．社员登记册

20．合作社簿据记载之证明

第Ⅳ部 社员之权利与责任

21．社员资格

22．未缴应缴会费前社员不得行使权利

23．合作社社员加入其他合作社之限制

24．社员之投票权

25．代表投票

26．未成年社员与合作社订定之合约

27．持有大量股份之限制

28．股份或权益转让之限制

29．前社员及已故社员之遗产对合作社之债务责任

第Ⅴ部 注册合作社之财产与资金

30．注册合作社之贷款

31．注册合作社接受之存款及贷款

32．限制与非社员作其他交易

33．资金之投资

34．盈利之处置

第Ⅵ部 核数、查阅及研讯

35．核数

36．注册官查核合作社簿据等之权力

37．研讯及查阅

第Ⅶ部 解散

38．解散

39．因缺少社员而取消注册

40．注册取消之后果

41．合作社之注册取消后之清盘

42．清盘人之权力

43．注册官控制清盘之权力

44．命令之执行

45．民事法院管辖权之限制

46．清盘工作之完结

第Ⅷ部 补偿及扣押

47．注册官对注册合作社职员等附加罚款之权力

48．向总督上诉

第Ⅸ部 纠纷

49．纠纷之解决

50．引起法律论点之案件

第Ⅹ部 规则

51．规则

第Ⅺ部 杂项

52．收回拖欠政府之款项

53．总督豁免合作社遵守注册规定之特权

54．总督豁免合作社遵守本条例规定之特权

55．注册费之减免权

56．禁用“合作”字样

57．若干法律不适用于注册合作社

58．不遵守条例之罚则

59．欺诈或盗用之惩罚

本条例旨在对合作社之成立，及其运作之管理加以规定??

〔1951年2月15日〕

第Ⅰ部 导言

1．简称

本条例定名为合作社条例。

2．释义

本条例内，除上下文另具意义者外，下列各词应解释如下??

“奖金”指注册合作社与社员交易所得之盈利根据交易额大小之比例分摊予社员；

“章程”指合作社为行使本条例所赋予之权力而制定之注册章程，包括业已注册之修订章程；

“理事会”指受委管理注册合作社事务之理事会；

“股息”指注册合作社拨出部分盈利而根据社员所占股本之比例而分摊之款项；

“社员”指为某合作社联合申请注册之人士或注册合作社以及注册后，按照章程接纳为社员之人士或注册合作社；

“职员”包括理事长、秘书、司库、委员会之委员，或根据规则或章程授权发出有关合作社事务指示之其他人士；

“注册合作社”指按本条例规定注册之合作社；

“注册官”指按第三条规定而委任之合作社注册官，包括行使注册官根据该条所赋权力之任何人士；

“规则”指按本条例而制定之规则。

第Ⅱ部 注册

3．注册官及助理注册官之委任

总督得委任一人为本港合作社注册官，并得委任多人协助之。并可在宪报上刊登一般或特别命令，将本条例赋予注册官之一切权力，赋予上述委任人士。4．可注册之合作社

除下开条文另有规定外，凡合作社之宗旨乃在于根据合作原则改善社员之经济利益者，或成立之目的乃在于方便上述合作社之运作者，均可按照本条例注册。至于其所负之责任属有限或无限，则由注册官决定；

但注册合作社若有一个或多个社员本身亦为注册合作社，则其所负之责任应属有限。5．注册条件

（1）任何合作社若其社员（即合乎资格根据第二十一条接纳为社员之人士）人数不足十名者，均不得按本条例注册，但该社社员之一若为注册合作社者，则不在此限。

（2）凡按本条例注册之社团，其中英文名称须附有“合作”字样。

（3）凡按本条例注册、只负有限责任之合作社，必须于名称之后用中英文字加上“有限”字样。

（4）若为执行本条规定而因年龄、住宅或土地占用等而引起资格问题时，得由注册官决定之，而其决定乃最后之决定。6．注册申请

（1）如需注册，合作社必须向注册官递交申请书。

（2）申请书须由下开人士签署??

（ａ）如合作社之社员中并无注册合作社，则须最少由十位符合第五条第（1）款规定资格之人士签署；

（ｂ）如合作社之社员中有一注册合作社，则须由获适当授权者代表该注册合作社签署，若全体社员均非注册合作社，由其他社员十人签署，若其他社员少于十人，则由全体签署。

（3）申请书必须具备该合作社建议之章程，申请人或代表申请人应向注册官提供所需之有关资料。7．注册及上诉

（1）注册官若确信该合作社已依照本条例之规定及规则办理，而其章程亦与本条例或规则并无抵触者，得在其认为适当之情形下，将该社及其章程注册。凡被拒注册之合作社，可于被拒之日期起一个月内向总督会同行政局上诉，反对注册官拒绝将其合作社注册。

（2）合作社于获准注册后，须缴交规定之费用。8．合作社属法人团体

合作社一经注册即成为法人团体，以其注册时之名称命名，有永久承继权，有权持有财产，与他人订立合约，向他人提出诉讼，及对诉讼提出抗辩及办理其他法律事务，并为执行其章程起见，办理一切必需事务。

9．注册之证据

一份由注册官签署之注册证，应视为证内所指合作社已妥为注册的证明，若有证据证明该社之注册已被吊销，则作别论。

第Ⅲ部 合作社之职责及特权

10．注册合作社章程之修订

（1）凡注册合作社均可修改其章程包括公布其名称之章程，但须遵守本条例及规则之规定办理。

（2）除非章程之修订版副本已送交注册官，并已按本条例规定登记，否则注册合作社章程之修订一概无效。

（3）注册官若认为章程之修订与本条例或各规则并无抵触，得于其认为适当之情形下，将修订登记在案。凡对注册官拒绝登记修订之上诉，须于被拒之日起一个月内，向总督会同行政局提出。

（4）若修订乃有关更改合作社之名称者，该社本身、现有社员或前社员之权利或义务，均不受修订所影响，而有关合作社提出或被控之法律程序亦可以该社之新名称继续进行。

（5）注册官将合作社章程之修订登记在案时，应将经其签署之修订本副本发还该社；此经签署副本为修订已正式登记之确证。

11．社址

每一注册合作社应有地址供接收通告及通讯之用；合作社亦应于注册后三十日内将通讯地址通知注册官，如该地址有所变更，亦应于变更后三十日内，将变更地址事项通知注册官，以便登记在案。

12．条例、规则、章程等应可公开让人查阅

凡注册合作社应保存本条例、规则、章程、社员名册各一份，公开让人于合理时间在注册社址免费查阅。

13．产品售予注册合作社或经由注册合作社售卖

（1）凡注册合作社，其组织宗旨之一为售卖社员之劳动或工业产品，不论产品为农业、畜牧、林业、渔业、工艺或其他产品者，得于章程中列明，或与其社员订立合约，作如下规定??

（ａ）凡生产上述物品之社员，应向该社或经由该社出售其全部或指定数量、比例，或类别之物品；及

（ｂ）任何社员，若按照规则指定之办法被证明或裁定违反章程或合约之罪名成立者，须向该社缴付毁约偿金，金额由上述规则指定之办法厘定或评估。

（2）凡按本条例订立之合约，有关人士不得仅因该约为约束贸易之合约而在法庭提出争论。

14．注册合作社之优先索偿权

（1）除政府对欠债人之财产有优先追讨权、业主对欠租或作租金收回之款项有留置权或追讨权，及债权人对不动产有优先登记之优先索偿权外，下开两项规定应予遵守??

（ａ）凡社员或前社员拖欠注册合作社之债务或欠款，该社对所有农作物或下开物品拥有第一索偿权：其他农产品、所伐木材或其他林木产品、水产、鱼获（淡水鱼及海水鱼）、牲口、饲料、农具、工业与渔业工具、厂房、机器、船只、捕鱼用具、原料、商品存货、一切劳工产品以及全部或局部因该社给予该员贷款（不论给予金钱或货物）而促成之生产所用之物品，所购置或生产之物品；

但本条对未获预先通知之真正买家或转让者之求偿权并不造成妨碍；

（ｂ）凡社员或前社员因租金、股份、贷款或购物款项或须付该社之其他权利而拖欠已注册建屋合作社之债项，应构成该员在该社不动产所占权益之第一索偿权。

15．社员股份权益对债务之付偿

若社员、前社员，或已故社员遗产拖欠注册合作社任何款项，该社对该社员、前社员或已故社员在股本所占之股份或权益及按金应有索偿权，而且对应付该社员、前社员或已故社员遗产之股息、红利或溢利亦有索偿权；此外，该社并可扣除上述社员、前社员、已故社员遗产应收之款项，以抵销债务。

16．股份或权益不得受扣押或出售

除第15条另有规定者外，凡社员在注册合作社所占股本之股份或权益，不得因其所负之债务或责任而被法院裁决或命令扣押或出售，而且无论其破产清算人或正式委任之破产管理人均无权拥有或要求上述之股份或权益。

17．社员死亡后权益之转让

（1）凡社员身故，注册合作社可按实际情况将该名社员所占股份或权益转让予按规则而指定之人士，如无指定人士，则可转让予理事会认为乃已故社员之继承人或法定代理人，或根据规则或章程所规定之办法厘订该社员所占股份或权益之价值，并以价值相同之款项付予上述指定人士、继承人或法定代理人；但须依照下开规定办理??

（ａ）如合作社属无限责任者，则上述指定人士、继承人或法定代理人，可要求该合作社付予一笔等于已故社员所占股份或权益总值（按上述办法厘订）之款项；

（ｂ）如合作社属有限责任者，则可将已故社员所占股份或权益转让予上述指定人士、继承人或法定代理人，依规则及章程规定，均有资格成为该社社员；若上述三者之一于已故社员去世后六个月内提出申请，亦可将已故社员所占股份或权益转让与申请书所指明之符合资格之人士。

（2）注册合作社视实际情况须将其应付予已故社员之所有其他款项付予上述指定人士、继承人或其法定代理人。

（3）注册合作社依照本条例规定所进行之一切转让及款项支付均属有效，其他人不得对该合作社提出任何要求。

18．未成年人之存款或代未成年人存款

（1）注册合作社可接受未成年人之存款，或为未成年人接受存款，而注册合作社付予未成年人存款利息，乃属合法。未成年人可收回其存款连同所生之利息，而代未成年人存入之款项得连同所生利息付予其监护人，以供该未成年人使用。

（2）凡未成年人或监护人按本条规定收取款项而签发之收据，得视为该社对该笔款项解除责任之充分证据。

19．社员登记册

注册合作社所设之社员登记册或名单，得视为下开各资料之表面证据??

（ａ）任何人在上述登记册或名单内登记为社员之日期；

（ｂ）上述人士终止为社员之日期。

20．合作社簿据记载之证明

（1）注册合作社在日常事务上，所经常设置之簿据，内所登记事项之副本若照规定之办法证实为真实者，在任何法律程序中，不论民事或刑事，得视为上述记载事项存在之表面证据，并在任何情形下，得接纳为簿内记录之事项、交易及帐目之证据，效力与原本无异。

（2）在任何法律诉讼中，若合作社并非诉讼之一方当事人者，则不得强迫其职员出示合作社之簿据（因其内容可依第（1）款之规定而证明），亦不得强迫其以证人身份出庭作证，就所记录之事项、交易或帐目提出证明，若法庭因特别理由而提出指示者，则不在此限。

第Ⅳ部 社员之权利与责任

21．社员资格

任何人士（注册合作社除外）如欲为合作社社员，必须符合下列规定??

（ａ）年满18岁；

（ｂ）如章程所述，在合作社业务范围内居住或使用该范围内之土地。

22．未缴应缴会费前社员不得行使权利

凡注册合作社社员未依规则或章程规定缴付会费或未获得规则或章程所指明之权益前，不得行使社员之权利。

23．合作社社员加入其他合作社之限制

除经注册官许可外，无论何人，均不得成为一个以上以贷款予社员为主要宗旨之合作社社员。

24．社员之投票权

注册合作社社员于处理社务而进行投票时，任何人均不得拥有超过一票，惟下开情况则属例外??

（ａ）凡赞成票数与反对票数相等时，理事长得投决定性一票；

（ｂ）若合作社成员之一为注册合作社，该注册合作社得拥有规则所规定之投票权。25．代表投票

凡本身属其他注册合作社社员之注册合作社，可派一社员在处理合作社社务中代为投票。26．未成年社员与合作社订定之合约

若正式获准为注册合作社社员者仍未成年，不得以其未成年为理由而阻止其签署法律文件或给予任何偿债收据，根据本条例而制定之规则，该文件必须签署或偿债收据必须给予；亦不得以此为由使其与合作社订立之合约无效或将其废除，而该人无论以主事人身份或担保人身份与该社订立之合约，在法律上均属有效或以之对其起诉，尽管其为未成年人亦然。

27．持有大量股份之限制

任何社员（注册合作社除外），均不得持有任何合作社股本超过五分之一。28．股份或权益转让之限制

（1）注册合作社社员、前社员或已故社员在该社股本中所占股份或权益之转让或索偿，不得超过本条例或规则所规定最高之股份持有额之限制办理。

（2）凡合作社如以无限责任注册者，其社员不得将其持有之股份或在该社所占股本之权益全部或部分转让予别人，下列情形除外??

（ａ）该社员已持有上述股份或权益不少于一年者；

（ｂ）股份权益乃向该社、社员或已获理事会接纳为社员之申请人转让或抵押。

29．前社员及已故社员之遗产对合作社之债务责任

（1）注册合作社前社员对于终止为社员之日已存在之该社债务，其所负之责任为期不应持续超逾两年，由终止为社员之日起计。

（2）若某社员死亡之日，合作社之债务业已存在，则该已故社员之遗产对该社债务所负之责任为期不应超过两年，由其死亡之日起计。

第Ⅴ部 注册合作社之财产与资金

30．注册合作社之贷款

（1）除第33条另有规定外，注册合作社不得向非社员贷款；但如经注册官同意，注册合作社可向另一注册合作社贷款。

（2）除经注册官许可外，注册合作社贷款时不得以任何动产作担保，但若该产品或物品乃该社获授权经营者，则属例外。

（3）总督得以一般或特别命令，禁止或限制注册合作社贷款时以任何类别之不动产作按揭。31．注册合作社接受之存款及贷款

注册合作社可接受非社员之存款及贷款，但须以规则或章程所规定之范围及办法办理。32．限制与非社员作其他交易

除第30及31条另有规定者外，注册合作社与非社员间之交易须受规则内有关禁止及限制之规定所约束。33．资金之投资

注册合作社可将其资金投资或储存于??

（ａ）邮政局储蓄银行，或经营银行业务而又获注册官批准作此用途之银行或人士；或

（ｂ）英联邦成员政府所发行或保证之证券；或

（ｃ）经注册官批准作投资或储存用途之其他注册合作社；或

（ｄ）经注册官批准之其他投资或储存方式。34．盈利之处置

（1）注册合作社须将由核数师按第35条规定经核数确定之纯利最少四分之一拨入储备金，以便按规则之规定办法加以运用。其余纯利于扣除根据《税务条例》（第112章）而须缴之税项后，得连同可供分配之以往多年盈利，以股息或红利方式分给社员或拨入该社所成立之各种基金，至于分拨之程度或条件则由规则或章程规定；

但若合作社属无限责任者，则未经总督发出一般或特别命令，不得分配盈利。

（2）如获注册官批准，注册合作社于任何一年所得盈利之四分之一拨入储备基金后，可将其余纯利不超过百分之十拨充慈善用途或公益基金。

第Ⅵ部 核数、查阅及研讯

35．核数

（1）注册官必须每年至少一次查核每一注册合作社之帐目，或以一般或特别命令以书面授权某人查核。

（2）凡第（1）款所指之核数工作应包括审查未还债务（若有时）及评估该注册合作社之资产及负债。

（3）注册官及指派查核合作社帐目者于必要时，有权采取下列行动??

（ａ）于查核帐目时，若有理由相信某合作社职员、代理人、雇员或社员能提供有关该社任何交易或社务管理之重要资料者，得传召之；或

（ｂ）要求持有社务簿据或文件，或属于该社现金或证券之职员、代理人、雇员或社员出示上述簿据、文件、现金或证券。36．注册官查核合作社簿据等之权力

注册官或获注册官以一般或特别书面命令授权之人士应有权随时查阅注册合作社之所有簿据、帐目、文件及证券，并有权查核手存现金；若查核者提出要求，凡合作社职员均须提供有关该社交易及运作之资料。37．研讯及查阅

（1）注册官可自行提出或于接获注册合作社理事会大多数理事之申请，或不少于三分之一社员之申请后，就注册合作社之章程、运作及财政状况进行研讯或以书面命令授权他人代为进行；如经注册官或获其授权者要求，该社所有职员及社员必须提供社务资料，出示手存现金、簿据、帐目、文件及证券。

（2）注册官倘接获注册合作社债权人之申请，则必须查阅该社之簿据或以书面命令授权某人查阅，若??

（ａ）申请人证明当时该社确欠其一笔确实数目之款项，而且虽已催交，该笔款项迄未在合理之期间内清还；及

（ｂ）申请人已遵注册官之指示向其存放一笔指定数目之款项，作为查阅费用之保证金。

（3）注册官须将查阅结果通知债权人及社务受调查之合作社。

（4）倘研讯按第（1）款进行或查阅按第（2）款进行，注册官得下令将所需费用或其认为适当之部份费用，由注册合作社、要求研讯之社员、该社之职员或前任职员，及申请进行研讯之债权人分担。

（5）凡按本条规定，指令某合作社或某人缴付之费用，可向管辖该社注册办事处所在地或该人当时居住地址或营业地址之裁判司申请追讨，其方法与上述法庭判处罚款无异。

第Ⅶ部 解散

38．解散

（1）注册官于按照第37条之规定进行研讯或查阅，或于接获注册合作社四分之三之社员申请后，如认为该社应予解散，可发出命令取消该社之注册。

（2）任何社员倘要提出反对，可于该命令发出之日起两个月内，向总督提出上诉。

（3）倘合作社注册取消令发出后两个月内，并无人提出上诉，则该命令于时限届满时即行生效。倘于上述两个月内有人提出上诉，该命令不得生效，待上诉结果证实为止。

（4）注册官如按第（1）款下令取消合作社之注册，可随后再发出其认为适当之命令，俾于取消注册令生效前得以保管簿据和文件，并保护该社之资产。

（5）除经注册官命令外，注册合作社不得解散。39．因缺少社员而取消注册

无论何时，注册官倘证实任何注册合作社（其成员包括一个或多个注册合作社者除外）之社员已减至不足10人，可以书面下令取消该社之注册，而取消令应从发出之日起生效。40．注册取消之后果

倘合作社之注册已按照第38条或第39条规定所发之命令取消，该社应由命令生效之日（以下简称为解散日期）起终止为法人团体；

但根据第14、第15、第16及第17条而赋予该社之任何特权，应视为已授予注册官为该社而委任之清盘人。41．合作社之注册取消后之清盘

倘合作社之注册已根据第38或第39条之规定取消，注册官可委任一人或多人为该社之清盘人，而清盘人乃由注册官指挥管辖。42．清盘人之权力

（1）凡按第41条奉委之清盘人，除须受注册官指挥管辖并受注册官按照第43条所发之命令所限制外，有下开权力??

（ａ）随时决定社员、前社员及已故社员之遗产对该社资产之供款；

（ｂ）发出通告指定日期，要求迄未登记于该社簿据之债权人，提出其债权要求并于未证明其债权之前，不得享有分配债权之权利；

（ｃ）决定债权人之优先权问题；

（ｄ）将纠纷提交仲裁并以其名义或职位代合作社提出诉讼或在诉讼或其他法律程序中进行辩护；

（ｅ）决定清盘费用应由何人接收及负担比例；

（ｆ）该社清盘过程中，就资产之接收及分配事发出所需指示；

（ｇ）对合作社之要求或对该社提出之要求加以调解，但事前必须先行获得注册官许可；

（ｈ）召开所需之社员大会以适当处理清盘事宜；

（ｉ）接管合作社之簿册、文件及资产；

（ｊ）变卖合作社之财产；

（ｋ）如有必要继续该社之业务以便有利清盘；

但此项规定并不授权信用合作社之清盘人发放贷款；及

（1）分配该社资产之计划获注册官批准后，以便利方法安排分配。

（2）除为此而制定之规定外，凡按本条例而委任之清盘人，若为执行本条规定而有需要时，有权传召及强制各有关人士与证人出席，并以裁判司审案之同样办法并尽量以此方式强迫有关人士出示文件。43．注册官控制清盘之权力

清盘人行使其权力时须受注册官之管制及修正；注册官可??

（ａ）废除或更改清盘人所发之命令，并另发所需之新命令；

（ｂ）将清盘人撤职；

（ｃ）要求合作社呈交所有簿册、文据及资产；

（ｄ）以书面命令，限制清盘人行使第42条所赋予之权力；

（ｅ）着令清盘人呈报帐目；

（ｆ）审核清盘人之帐目并授权分配合作社之资产；

（ｇ）颁发命令规定清盘人之酬金；或

（ｈ）清盘人与任何第三者发生争执时，若第三者以书面同意愿受仲裁人之决定所约束，可将该纠纷交予仲裁。

44．命令之执行

（1）凡仲裁人对按照第43条规定交予其仲裁之事项所作之决定，对双方当事人均具有约束力，其执行办法与注册官按该条而发出之命令无异。

（2）清盘人或注册官按第42或第43条而发之命令得由管辖合作社注册办事处所在地之民事法院执行，其执行办法与执行该法院之法令无异。45．民事法院管辖权之限制

除上文明文规定者外，任何民事法院均无权审理有关注册合作社根据本条例而解散之任何事项。46．清盘工作之完结

（1）若合作社之注册业已取消，则该社清盘时，其基金包括储备金，应首先用于支付清盘费用，其次用于清还该社负债，再用于偿还股本，若该社之章程许可而又有某段期间从未动用其盈利者，则再将净余基金补发股息，以年息不逾十厘为限。

（2）倘合作社之清盘工作已经完结而该社之债权人迄未根据款项分配计划提出偿还欠款要求，或收回欠款，则应在宪报刊登清盘完结公告；而由宪报公告刊出之日起两年后，凡对清盘合作社提出偿还款项之要求均属无效。

（3）款项于作第（1）款所指之用途及偿还因第（2）款所指之要求而引起诉讼之钱债后，如有剩余，应由注册官为合作社用途而酌情使用。

第Ⅷ部 补偿及扣押

47．注册官对注册合作社职员等附加罚款之权力

（1）在注册合作社清盘过程中，若发觉参予组织或管理该合作社者或该社现任或前任职员，曾挪用或擅自留用上述合作社之金钱或财产，或须对该金钱财产之损失负责，又或犯失职罪或违背上述合作社之信托罪，注册官于接获清盘人、债权人或供款人之申请后，可审查上述人士之行为，着令其偿还或补回上述金钱或财产或其部分，另加注册官认为公平利率之利息，或向合作社之资产缴交注册官认为适当之款额，以补偿因挪用、擅自留用、欺诈、或违背信托而招致之损失。

（2）纵然上述行为可使违法者负刑事责任，本条亦适用之。48．向总督上诉

凡对注册官按第47条所发命令不满者，可由上述命令发出之日起21日内向总督提出上诉，总督之决定为最终决定，不容异议。

第Ⅸ部 纠纷

49．纠纷之解决

（1）凡下开人士，对某注册合作社之社务发生纠纷，该纠纷应提交注册官裁决??

（ａ）社员、前社员与任何人之间透过社员、前社员、已故社员之关系而提出之纠纷；或

（ｂ）社员、前社员，或任何人透过社员、前社员、已故社员之关系而提出与合作社或理事会，或其职员间之纠纷；或

（ｃ）合作社或其理事会与该社之职员间之纠纷；或

（ｄ）该社与其他注册合作社间之纠纷。

凡注册合作社要求其社员、前社员或已故社员之指定人、继承人或法定代理人清还债务或缴付所欠款项之声请，均视为符合本款释义与该社社务有关之纠纷。

（2）注册官于接获第（1）款纠纷之资料后，可采取下开行动??

（ａ）自行裁定该项纠纷；或

（ｂ）将案提交仲裁人处理。

（3）凡对仲裁人之裁决不满者，可于裁决后一个月内，向注册官呈交书面通知，提出上诉。

（4）注册官按第（2）款而作出之裁决，或因第（3）款之上诉而作出之裁决，均为最后之裁决，不得在任何民事法庭提出异议。

（5）倘若并无上诉或按第（3）款规定而进行之上诉已放弃或撤销，则仲裁人按第（2）款所作之裁决，应为最后之裁决，不得在任何民事法庭提出异议，而且该裁决之执行方法与民事法庭之裁决无异。

50．引起法律论点之案件

（1）无论第49条有何规定，注册官得根据本条例进行裁定，或总督于接获反对注册官根据本条例规定之裁定之上诉时，可随时将上述裁决所引起之法律问题提交法院审定之。

（2）首席按察司所指派之法官，可对提交之法律问题加以考虑并裁决而该裁决应为最后者，不容异议。

第Ⅹ部 规则

51．规则

（1）为执行本条例之原则及规定起见，总督会同行政局可制定必要之规则。

（2）在不妨碍第（1）款所赋予权力之一般原则下，特别制订之规则可对下开事项加以规定??

（ａ）合作社申请注册所用之表格、必须遵守之条件，以及申请注册之程序；

（ｂ）入社申请人或社员须遵守之条件、举行甄选及征收社员事宜、社员行使权利前应付之费用及所得之利益；

（ｃ）除第27条有所规定外，列明社员可持有注册合作社股份或股本之最高额；

（ｄ）规定注册合作社可限制社员数目之程度；

（ｅ）对社员之退社或革除、对退社或遭革除社员应得之款项及前社员须负之责任有所规定；

（ｆ）规定社员大会及其会议程序，及上述会议所行使之权力；

（ｇ）规定合作社理事会理事及其他职员之委任、停职及革除、理事会会议之程序、理事会及其他职员所行使之权力及应负之职责；

（ｈ）规定合作社可以或应该制订章程，及制订、修订或废除上述章程之程序，制订、修订或废除章程前所须遵守之条件；

（ｉ）规定以股份或债券或其他方式筹措款项之办法；

（ｊ）规定注册合作社申请政府资助时须遵守之条件；

（ｋ）规定申请贷款或现金信贷之社员须付之款项、应遵守之条件，须签订之约据、法律或其他文件之表格、贷款或现金信贷之期限，个别社员可获准之最高贷款额及最高信贷额，无论是否取得注册官之同意；

（ｌ）规定已故社员所占权益价值之确定方法，并指定接收或承让上述权益之人士；

（ｍ）规定神智不清、无能力照顾自己或事务之社员所占权益价值之确定方法，并指定接收或承让上述权益之人士；

（ｎ）规定储备金之设立与管理及用途并在注册合作社管理下基金之投资事宜；

（ｏ）规定有关分配盈利予无限责任合作社社员之条件，及合作社可分发股息之最高利率；

（ｐ）规定注册合作社设置帐簿，并规定定期发表注册合作社之资产负债表；

（ｑ）规定注册合作社之帐目须经查核，如需查核费用，则列明之。此外，并规定所有或任何注册合作社须向一特定之基金供款，以便查核及监管现有合作社及有关合作宣传之用，并规定上述基金之管理事宜；

（ｒ）规定注册合作社须向注册官呈交报告，并对呈报人及报告表格有所列明；

（ｓ）规定可证明注册合作社簿册登记事项副本属实之人士及表格；

（ｔ）规定社员登记册之设置及保存；如社员之负债责任为股份所限制者，则亦须设置及保存股份登记册；

（ｕ）对在注册官办事处查阅文件及登记册、须付之查阅费及上述文件或登记册副本之签发，加以规定；

（ｖ）规定因售予合作社或经由合作社出售产品而引起违反章程或合约问题时之裁决方法及违约偿金之确定或评估方法；

（ｗ）规定委任仲裁人之方法及在注册官或仲裁人聆讯之诉讼中所应遵循之程序；

（ｘ）规定凡按第41条规定而委任之清盘人须遵循之程序及在何种情况下可对清盘人发出之命令提出上诉；

（ｙ）规定按照本条例或规则提出上诉应用之表格、应收之费用、应遵守之程序及提出上诉之方法。

第Ⅺ部 杂项

52．收回拖欠政府之款项

（1）凡注册合作社，或其职员、社员或前社员欠政府之款项均可收回，追讨方法与政府根据现行法例收回欠债者无异。

（2）凡注册合作社欠政府而又可按第（1）款规定追讨之款项，可首先由该社财产中偿还；其次若该社为有限责任者，则由社员偿还，但以其责任之限度而定；若属其他合作社，则由社员偿还。

53．总督豁免合作社遵守注册规定之特权

纵使本条例有所规定，总督可在每案中以特别命令，豁免任何合作社遵照本条例有关注册之规定，惟该社必须遵守其指定之条件。

54．总督豁免合作社遵守本条例规定之特权

总督可以一般或特别命令，豁免任何注册合作社或任何种类合作社遵守本条例之规定，亦可指示此等条例之规定得由命令所指之日起，或经命令所指之修订后，适用于任何合作社或任何种类之合作社。

55．注册费之减免权

总督可在宪报刊登公布，减免任何注册合作社或任何种类合作社按现行注册法例而缴之费用，而上述之公布亦可规定将此类注册合作社缴费之减免权撤销。

56．禁用“合作”字样

（1）如无总督批准，除注册合作社外，任何人等均不得以包括“合作”字样之名称经营或进行业务；

但本条并不适用于本条例开始实施时已使用其名称经营或进行业务之人士或其利益继承人。

（2）凡违反本条规定者，即属违法，可被判罚款100元，并于继续违反本条期间，每天另加罚款20元。

57．若干法律不适用于注册合作社

凡依本条例注册之合作社、《公司条例》（第32章）及与职工会有关之法例均不适用。

58．不遵守条例之罚则

凡下开人士均属违法，可被判罚款100元??

（ａ）任何注册合作社或其职员或社员，如故意疏忽或拒绝注册官或其正式授权之人士为执行本条例而向其要求作某一行为或提供任何资料者；及

（ｂ）凡故意或并无合理原因之情形下，不服从根据本条例而发之传票、书面请求或合法书面命令，又或不遵照本条例授权者之合法要求提供资料者。

59．欺诈或盗用之惩罚

任何人士，如以虚假陈述或欺诈手段占有合作社之任何财产，或在其持有期间，扣留或滥用财产，又或故意将部分财产用于非合作社章程所明令或指示并经本条例授权之用途者，合作社或其授权之社员、合作社理事会或注册官一经投诉，该人可被判罚款2000元或须依命令交出所有上述财产，或偿还不当使用之所有款项，而且若不交出财产、偿还款项或缴付罚款，则可判监禁12个月。

CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES ORDINANCE

(CHAPTER 33)

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

SectionPART I PRELIMINARY1. Short title2. InterpretationPART II REGISTRATION3. Appointment of Registrar and assistant registrars4. Societies which may be registered5. Conditions of registration6. Application for registration7. Registration and appeals8. Societies to be bodies corporate9. Evidenceof registrationPART III DUTIES AND PRIVILEGES OF SOCIETIES10. Amendment of the by-laws of a registered society11. Address of society12. Copy of Ordinance, rules, by-laws, etc., to be open to inspection13. Disposal of produce to or through a registered society14. Creation of charges in favour of registered societies15. Charge and set off in respect of shares or interest of members16. Shares or interest not liable to attachment or sale17. Transfer of interest on death of member18. Deposits by or on behalf of minors19. Register of members20. Proof of entries in books of societyPART IV RIGHTS AND LIABILITIES OF MEMBERS21. Qualification for membership22. Members not to exercise rights till due payment made23. Restriction of membership in society24. Votes ofmembers25. Representation by proxy26. Contracts with society of members who are minors27. Block holdings of shares limited28. Restriction on transfer ofshare or interest29. Liability of past member and estate of deceased member for debts ofsocietyPART V PROPERTY AND FUNDS OF REGISTERED SOCIETIES30. Loans made by a registered society31. Deposits and loans received by a registered society32. Restrictions on other transactions with non-members33. Investment of funds34. Disposal of profitsPART VI AUDIT, INSPECTION AND INQUIRY35. Audit36. Power of Registrar to inspect society"s books, etc.37. Inquiry and inspection

PART VII DISSOLUTION38. Dissolution39. Cancellation of registration for lack of membership40. Effect of cancellation of registration41. Liquidation after cancellation of registration of society42. Liquidator"s power43. Power of Registrar to control liquidation44. Enforcement of order45. Limitationof the jurisdiction of the civil court46. Closure of liquidationPART VIII SURCHARGE AND ATTACHMENT47. Power of Registrar to surcharge officers, etc., of a registeredsociety48. Appeal to GovernorPART IX DISPUTES49. Settlement of disputes50. Case stated on question of lawPART X RULES51. RulesPART XI MISCELLANEOUS52. Recovery of sums due to Government53. Special power of Governor to exempt any society from requirements asto registration54. Special powerof Governor to exempt societies fromprovisions of Ordinance55. Power to remit registration fees56. Prohibition of the use of the word "co-operative"57. Certain legislation not to apply to registered societies58. Penalty for non-compliance with Ordinance59. Punishment of fraud or misappropriationTo provide for the formation and to regulate the operation of co-operativesocieties. [15 February 1951] G. N. A. 31 of 1951

PART I PRELIMINARY

1. Short titleThis Ordinance may be cited as the Co-operative Societies Ordinance.2. InterpretationIn this Ordinance, unless the context otherwiserequires--"bonus" means a share of the profits of a registered society divided amongits members in proportion to the volume of business done with the societyby them from which the profits of the society were derived;"by-laws" means the registered by-laws made by a society in the exerciseof any power conferred by this Ordinance, and includes a registeredamendment of the by-laws;"committee" means the governing body of aregistered society to whom the management of its affairs is entrusted;"dividend" means a share of the profits of a registered society dividedamong its members in proportion to the share capital held by them;"member" includes a person or registered society joining in theapplication for the registration of a society, and a person or registeredsociety admitted to membership after registration in accordance with theby-laws;"officer" includes a chairman, secretary, treasurer, member of committee,or other person empowered under the rules or by-laws to give directions inregard to the business of a registered society;"registered society" means a co-operative society registered under thisOrdinance;"Registrar" means the Registrar of Co-operative Societiesappointed under section 3 and includes any person when exercising suchpowers of the Registrar as may have been conferred upon him under thatsection;"rules" means rules made under this Ordinance.

PART II REGISTRATION

3. Appointment of Registrar and assistant registrarsThe Governor may appoint a person to be Registrar of Co-operativeSocieties for the Colony and may appoint persons to assist such Registrar,and may, by general or special order published in the Gazette, confer onany such persons all or any of the powers of a Registrar under thisOrdinance.4. Societies which may be registeredSubject to the provisions hereinafter contained, a society which has asits object the promotion of the economic interests of its members inaccordance with co-operative principles, or a society established with theobject of facilitating the operations of such a society, may be registeredunder this Ordinance with or without limited liability as the Registrarmay decide:Provided that the liability of a society which includes at least oneregistered society among its members shall be limited.

5. Conditions of registration(1) No society, other than a society of which a member is a registeredsociety, shall be registered under this Ordinance, which does not consistof at least ten persons each of whom is qualified under section 21 formembership.(2) The word "co-operative" or its Chinese equivalent shall form part ofthe name of every society registered under this Ordinance.(3) The word "limited" shall be the last word in, or its Chinese characterequivalent shall form part of, the name of every society with limitedliability registered under this Ordinance. (Replaced 21 of 1976s. 2)(4) When for the purposes of this section any question arises as to age,residence, or occupation of land constituting the qualification of anyperson, that question shall be decided by the Registrar whose decisionshall be final.6. Application for registration(1) For the purposes of registration an application shall be made to theRegistrar.(2) The application shall be signed--(a) in the case of a society of which no member is a registered society,by at least ten persons qualified in accordance with the requirements ofsubsection (1) of section 5; and(b) in the case of a society of whicha member is a registered society, bya duly authorized person on behalf of every such registered society, and,where all the members of the society are not registered societies, by tenother members, or, when there are less than ten other members, by all ofthem.(3) The application shall be accompanied by copies of the proposed by-lawsof the society, and the persons by whom or on whose behalf suchapplication is made shall furnish such information in regard to thesociety as the Registrar may require.7. Registration and appeals(1) If the Registrar is satisfied that a society has complied with theprovisions of this Ordinance and the rules, and that its proposed by-lawsare not contrary to this Ordinance or to the rules, he may, if hethinksfit, register the society and its by-laws, An appeal shall lie to theGovernor in Council against the refusal of the Registrar to register anysociety within one month from the date of such refusal.(2) Onregistration the society shall pay such fee as may be required by therules.8. Societies to be bodies corporateThe registration of a society shall render it a body corporate by the nameunder which it is registered, with perpetual succession and with power tohold property, to enter into contracts, to institute and defend suits andother legal proceedings, and to do all things necessary forthe purpose ofits constitution.9. Evidence of registrationA certificate of registration signed by the Registrar shall be conclusiveevidence that the society therein mentioned is duly registered, unless itis proved that the registration of the society has been cancelled.

PART III DUTIES AND PRIVILEGES OF SOCIETIES

10. Amendment of the by-laws of a registered society(1) Any registered society may, subject to this Ordinance and the rules,amend its by-laws, including the by-law which declares the name of thesociety.(2) No amendment of the by-laws of a registered society shall be validuntil that amendment has been registered under this Ordinance, for whichpurpose copies of the amendment shall be forwarded to the Registrar.(3) If the Registrar is satisfied that any amendment of the by-laws is notcontrary to this Ordinance or to the rules, he may, if he thinks fit,register the amendment. An appealshall lie to the Governor in Councilagainst the refusal of the Registrar to register any amendment of any by-law within one month from the date of such refusal. (Amended 21 of 1976s. 3)(4) An amendment which changes the name of a society shall not affect anyright or obligation of the society or of any of its members or pastmembers, and any legal proceedings pending may be continued by or againstthe society under its new name.(5) When the Registrar registers anamendment of the by-laws of a registered society, he shall issue to thesociety a copy of the amendment certified by him, which shall beconclusive evidence of the fact that the amendment has been dulyregistered.11. Address of societyEvery registered society shallhave an address to which all notices andcommunications may be sent and shall send to the Registrar notice of thataddress and of every change of that address within 30 days of theregistration of the society or the change of address as the case may be;and the Registrar may effect registration thereof. (Replaced 21 of 1976s. 4)12. Copy of Ordinance, rules, by-laws, etc., to be open to inspectionEvery registered society shall keep a copyof this Ordinance and of therules and of its by-laws and a list of its members open to inspection,free of charge, at all reasonable times at the registered address of thesociety.13. Disposal of produce to or through a registered society(1) A registered society which has as one of its objects the disposal ofany article produced or obtained by the work or industry of its memberswhether the produce of agriculture, animal husbandry, forestry, fisheries,handicrafts or otherwise may provide in its by-laws or may otherwisecontract with its members--(a) that every such member who produces anysuch article shall dispose ofthe whole or any specified amount, proportion or description thereof to orthrough the society; and(b) that any member who is proved or adjudged, insuch manner as may be prescribed by the rules to be guilty of a breach ofthe by-laws or contract shall pay to the society as liquidated damages asum ascertained or assessed in such manner as may be prescribed by theaforesaid rules.(2) No contract entered into under the provisions of this section shall becontested in any court on the ground only that it constitutes a contractin restraint of trade.

14. Creation of charges in favour of registered societiesSubject to any prior claim of the Crown on the property of the debtor andto the lien or claim of a landlord in respect of rent or any moneyrecoverable as rent and in the case of immovable property to any priorregistered charge thereon--(a) any debt or outstanding demand payable to a registered society by anymember or past member shall be a first charge on all crops or otheragricultural produce, felled timber or other forest produce, marineproduce, fish (fresh-water and salt-water), livestock, fodder,agricultural, industrial and fishing implements, plant, machinery, boats,tackle and nets, raw materials, stock in trade and generally all produceof labour and things used in connexion with production raised, purchasedor produced in whole or in part from any loan whether in money or in goodsgiven him by the society:Provided that nothing herein contained shall affect the claim of any bonafide purchaser or transferee without notice;(b) any outstanding demands or dues payable to a registered housingsociety by any member or past member in respect of rent, shares, loans orpurchase money or any other rightsor amounts payable to such societyshall be a first charge upon his interest in the immovable property of thesociety.15. Charge and set off in respect of shares or interest of membersA registered society shall have a charge upon the shares or interests inthe capital and on the deposits of a member or past member or deceasedmember and upon any dividend, bonus, or profits payable to a member orpast member or to the estate of a deceased memberin respect of any debtdue to the society from such member or past member or estate, and may setoff any sum credited or payable to a member or past member or estate of adeceased member in or towards payment of any such debt.16. Shares or interest not liable to attachment or saleSubject to the provisions of section 15, the share or interest of a memberin the capital of a registered society shall not be liable to attachmentor sale under any decree or order of a court in respect of any debt orliability incurred by such member, and neither his assignee in insolvencynor a receiver duly appointed shall be entitled to, or have any claim on,such share or interest.

17. Transfer of interest on death of member(1) On the death of a member, a registered society may transfer the shareor interest of the deceased member to the person nominated in accordancewith the rules made in this behalf, or, if there is no person sonominated, to such persons as may appear to the committee to be the heiror legal representative of the deceased member, or may pay to suchnominee, heir or legal representative, as the case may be, a sumrepresenting the value of such member"s share or interest, as ascertainedin accordance with the rules or by-laws:Provided that--(a) in the case of a society with unlimited liability such nominee, heiror legal representative, as the case may be, may require payment by thesociety of the value of the share or interest of the deceased memberascertained as aforesaid;(b) in the case of a society with limitedliability, the society may transfer the share or interest of the deceasedmember to such nominee, heir or legal representative, as the case may be,being qualified in accordance with the rules and by-laws for membership ofthe society, or on his application within six months of the death of thedeceased member to any person specified in the application who is soqualified.(2) A registered society shall pay all other moneys due to the deceasedmember from the society to such nominee, heir or legal representative, asthe case may be.(3) All transfers and payments made by a registeredsociety in accordance with the provisions of this section shall be validand effectual against any demand made upon the society by any otherperson.18. Deposits by or on behalf of minors(1) A registered society may receive deposits from or for the benefit ofminors and it shall be lawful for a registered society to pay such minorsthe interest which may become due on such deposits. Any deposits made by aminor may, together with the interest accrued thereon, be paid to thatminor; and any deposit made on behalf of a minor may, together with theinterest accrued thereon, be paid to the guardian of that minor for theuse of the minor.(2) The receipt of any minor or guardian for money paid to him under thissection shall be a sufficient discharge of the liability of the society inrespect of that money.19. Register of membersAny register or list of members kept by any registered society shall beprima facie evidence of any of the following particulars entered therein--(a) the date at which the name of any person was entered in such registeror list as a member;(b) the date at which any such person ceased to be a member.20. Proof of entries in books of society(1) A copy of any entry in a book of a registered society regularly keptin the course of business shall, if certified in such manner as may beprescribed by the rules, be received in any legal proceeding,civil orcriminal, as prima facie evidence of the existence of such entry and shallbe admitted as evidence of the matters, transactions and accounts thereinrecorded in every case where, and to the same extent as, the originalentry itself is admissible.(2) No officer of any such society shall, in any legal proceedings towhich the society is not a party, be compelled to produce any of thesociety"s books, the contents of which can be provedunder subsection (1)or to appear as a witness to prove any matters, transactions or accountstherein recorded, unless the court for special reason so directs.

PART IV RIGHTS AND LIABILITIES OF MEMBERS

21. Qualification for membershipIn order to be qualified for membership of a co-operative society aperson, other than a registered society,must--(a) have attained the age of 18 years;(b) be resident within or in occupation of land within the society"s areaof operations as described by the by-laws.22. Members not to exercise rights till due payment madeNo member of a registered society shall exercise the rights of a memberunless or untilhe has made such payment to the society in respect ofmembership or acquired such interest in the society, as may be prescribedby the rules or by-laws.23. Restriction of membership in societyExcept with the sanction of the Registrar, no person shall be a member ofmore than one registered society whose primary object is to grant loans toits members.24. Votes of membersNo member of any registered society shall have more than one vote in theconduct of the affairs of the society:Provided that--(a) in the case of an equality of votes the chairman shall have a castingvote;(b) in the case of societies of which a registered society is amember that society may have such voting powers as are provided in therules.25. Representation by proxyA registeredsociety which is a member of any other registered society mayappoint any one of its members as its proxy for the purpose of voting inthe conduct of the affairs of such other registered society.26. Contracts with society of members who are minorsThe minority or non-age of any person duly admitted as amember of anyregistered society shall not debar that person from executing anyinstrument or giving any acquittance necessary to be executed or givenunder this Ordinance or the rules made thereunder, and shall not be aground for invalidating or avoiding any contract entered into by any suchperson with the society; and any such contract entered into by any suchperson with the society, whether as principal or as surety, shall beenforceable at law or against such person notwithstanding his minority ornon-age.27. Block holdings of shares limitedNo member, other than a registeredsociety, shall hold more than one-fifthof the share capital of any co-operative society.28. Restriction on transfer of share or interest(1) The transferor charge of the share or interest of a member or pastmember or deceased member in the capital of a registered society shall besubject to such conditions as to maximum holding as may be prescribed bythis Ordinance or by the rules.(2) In the case of a society registeredwith unlimited liability, a member shall not transfer any share held byhim or his interest in the capital of the society or any part thereof,unless--(a) he has held such share or interest for not less than one year; and (b)the transfer or charge is made to the society, or to a member of thesociety, or to a person whose application for membership has been acceptedby the committee.

29. Liability of past member and estate of deceased member for debts ofsociety(1) The liability of a past member for the debts of a registeredsociety as they existed on the date on which he ceased to be a membershall not continue for a period of more than two years reckoned from thatdate.(2) The estate of a deceased member shall not be liable for the debts ofthe society as they existed on the date of his decease for a period ofmore than two years reckoned from the date of his decease.

PART V PROPERTY AND FUNDS OF REGISTERED SOCIETIES

30. Loans made by a registered society(1) A registered society shall not, except as provided in section 33, makeany loan to any person other than a member:Provided that, with the consent of the Registrar, a registered society maymake loans to another registered society.(2) Except with the permission of the Registrar, a registered societyshall not lend money on the security of any movable property other thanproduce or goods in which the society is authorized to deal.(3) The Governor may, by general or special order, prohibit or restrictthe lending of money on mortgage of any description of immovable propertyby any registered society.31. Deposits and loans received by a registered societyA registered society shall receive deposits and loans from persons who arenot members only to such extent and under such conditions as may beprescribed by the rules or by-laws.32. Restrictions on other transactions with non-membersSave as provided in sections 30 and 31, the transactions of a registeredsociety with persons other than membersshall be subject to suchprohibitions and restrictions as may be prescribed by the rules.33. Investment of fundsA registered society may invest or deposit its funds--(a) in a post office savings bank, or with any bank or person carrying onthe business of banking approved for this purpose by the Registrar; or (b)in any securities issued or guaranteed by a Government within theCommonwealth; or(c) with any other registered society approved for thispurpose by the Registrar; or(d) in any other mode approved by theRegistrar.34. Disposal of profits(1) At least one-fourth of the net profits of everyregistered society, asascertained by the audit prescribed by section 35, shall be carried to afund to be called the reserve fund, which shall be employed as prescribedby the rules. After deduction of any tax which may have been charged onsuch society in accordance with the provisions of the Inland RevenueOrdinance (Cap. 112), the remainder of such profits and any profits ofpast years available for distribution may be divided among the members byway of dividend or bonus, or allocated to any funds constituted by thesociety, to such extent or under such conditions as may be prescribedbythe rules or by-laws: Provided that in the case of a society withunlimited liability, no distribution of profits shall be made without thegeneral or special order of the Governor.(2) Any registered society, maywith the sanction of the Registrar, after one-fourth of the net profits inany year has been carried to a reserve fund, contribute an amount notexceeding ten per cent of the remaining net profits to any charitablepurpose or to a common-good fund.

PART VI AUDIT, INSPECTION AND INQUIRY

35. Audit(1) The Registrar shall audit or cause to be audited by some personauthorized by him by general or special order in writing the accounts ofevery registered society once at least in every year.(2) The audit under subsection (1) shall include an examination of overduedebts, if any, and a valuation of the assets and liabilities of theregistered society.(3) The Registrar and every other person appointed toaudit the accounts of a society shall have power when necessary--(a) to summon at the time of his audit any officer, agent, servant ormember of the society who he has reason to believe can give materialinformation in regard to any transactions of the society or the managementof its affairs; or(b) to require the production of any book or document relating to theaffairs of, or any cash or securities belonging to, the society by theofficer, agent, servant or member in possession of such book, document,cash or securities.36. Power of Registrar to inspect society"s books, etc.The Registrar, or any person authorized by general or special order inwriting by the Registrar, shall at all times have access to all the books,accounts, papers and securities of a registered society, and shall beentitled to inspect the cash in hand; and every officer of the societyshall furnish such information in regard tothe transactions and workingof the society as the person making such inspection may require.37. Inquiry and inspection(1) The Registrar may of his ownmotion, and shall on the application of amajority of the committee, or of not less than one-third of the members ofa registered society, hold an inquiryor direct some person authorized byhim by order in writing in this behalf to hold an inquiry into theconstitution, working, and financial condition of a registered society;and all officers and members of the society shall furnish such informationin regard to the affairs of the society and produce the cash in hand andsuch books, accounts, papers and securities of the society as theRegistrar or the person authorized by him may require.(2) The Registrar shall, on the application of a creditor of theregistered society, inspect or direct some person authorized by him inwriting in this behalf to inspect the books of the society, if theapplicant--(a) proves that an ascertained sum of money is then due to him and thathehas demanded payment thereof and has not received satisfaction within areasonable time; and(b) deposits with the Registrar such sum as securityfor the costs of the proposed inspection as the Registrar may require.(3) The Registrar shall communicate the results of any such inspection tothe creditor and to the society into whose affairs inquiry has been made.(4) Where an inquiry is held under subsection (1) or an inspection is madeunder subsection (2), the Registrar may apportion the costs or such partof the costs, as he may think right, between the registered society, themembers demanding an inquiry, the officers or former officers of thesociety, and the creditor, if any, on whose application the inquiry wasmade.(5) Any sum awarded by way of costs against any society or person underthis section may be recovered, on application to a magistrate havingjurisdiction in the place where the registered office of the society issituate or the person resides or carries on business for the time being,in like manner as a fine imposed by such court.

PART VII DISSOLUTION

38. Dissolution(1) If the Registrar, after holding an inquiry or making an inspectionunder section 37 or on receipt of an application made by three-fourths ofthe members of a registered society, is of opinion that the society oughtto be dissolved, he may make an order for the cancellation of theregistration of the society.(2) Any member of a registered society may, within two months from thedate of an order under subsection (1),appeal from such order to theGovernor.(3) Where no appeal is presented within two months from the making of anorder cancelling the registration of a society, the order shall takeeffect on the expiry of that period. Where an appeal is presented withintwo months, the order shall not take effect until it is confirmed.(4) Where the Registrar makes an order for the cancellation of theregistration of a society under subsection (1) he may make such furtherorder as he may think fit for the custody of the books and documents andthe protection of the assets of the society until the order cancellingregistration takes effect.(5) No registered society shall be wound up save by an order of theRegistrar.39. Cancellation of registration for lack of membershipThe Registrar may, by order in writing, cancel the registration of anyregistered society other than a society which includes among its membersone or more registered societies, if at any time it is proved to hissatisfaction that the number of the members has been reduced to less thanten. Every such order shall take effect from the date thereof.40. Effect of cancellation of registrationWhere the registration of a society is cancelled by an order under section38 or 39 the society shall cease to exist as a corporate body from thedate on which the order takes effect,hereinafter referred to as the dateof dissolution:Provided that any privileges conferred on the society by or under sections14, 15, 16 and 17 shall be deemed to be vested in any liquidator appointedfor that society by the Registrar.41. Liquidation after cancellation of registration of societyWhere the registration of a society is cancelled under section 38 or 39the Registrar may appoint one or more persons to be, subject to hisdirection and control, the liquidator or liquidators of the society.

42. Liquidator"s power(1) A liquidator appointed under section 41 shall, subject to the guidanceand control of the Registrar and to any limitations imposed by theRegistrar by order under section 43, have power to--(a) determine from time to time the contribution to be made by members andpast members or by the estates of deceased members of the society to itsassets;(b) appoint a day by notice before which creditors whose claims are notalready recorded in the books of the society shall state their claims foradmission or to be excluded from any distribution made before they haveprovedthem;(c) decide any question of priority which arises between creditors;(d) refer disputes to arbitration and institute and defend suits and otherlegal proceedings on behalf of the society by his name or office;(e) decide by what persons and in what proportions the costs ofliquidation are to be borne;(f) give such directions in regard to the collection and distribution ofassets as may be necessary in the course of winding up the society;(g) compromise any claim by or against the society provided the sanctionof the Registrar has first been obtained;(h) call such general meetings of members as may be necessary for theproper conduct of the liquidation;(i) take possession of the books, documents and assets of the society; (j)sell the property of the society;(k) carry on the business of the society so far as may be necessary forwinding it up beneficially:Provided that nothing herein contained shall entitle the liquidator of acredit society to issue any loan; and(l) arrange for the distribution of the assets of the society in aconvenient manner when a scheme of distribution has been approved by theRegistrar.(2) Subject to such rules as may be made in this behalf, any liquidatorappointed under this Ordinance shall in so far as such powers arenecessary for carrying out the purposes of this section, have power tosummon and enforce the attendance of parties and witnesses and to compelthe production of documents by the same means and (so far as may be) inthe manner as is provided in the case of a magistrate.43. Power of Registrar to control liquidationA liquidator shall exercise his powers subject to the control and revisionof the Registrar, who may--(a) rescind or vary any order made by a liquidator and make whatever neworder is required;(b) remove a liquidator from office;(c) call for all books, documents and assets of the society;(d) by order in writing limit the powers of a liquidator under section 42;(e) require accounts to be rendered to him by the liquidator;(f) procure the auditing of the liquidator"s accounts and authorize thedistribution of the assets of the society;(g) make an order for the remuneration of the liquidator; or(h) refer any subject of dispute between a liquidator and any third partyto arbitration if that party shall have consented in writing to be boundby the decision of the arbitrator.

44. Enforcement of order(1) The decision of an arbitrator on any matter referred to him undersection 43 shall be binding upon the parties, and shall be enforceable inlike manner as an order made by the Registrar under that section.(2) An order made by a liquidator or by the Registrar under section 42 or43 shall be enforced by any civil court having jurisdiction over the placewhere the registered office of the society is situate in like manner as adecree of that court.45. Limitation of the jurisdiction of the civil courtSave in so far as is hereinbefore expressly provided, no civil court shallhave any jurisdiction in respect of any matter concerned with thedissolution of a registered society under this Ordinance.46. Closure of Liquidation(1) In the liquidation of a society whose registration has been cancelled,the funds, including the reserve fund, shall be applied first to the costsof liquidation, then to the discharge of the liabilities of the society,then to the payment of the share capital and then, provided the by-laws ofthe society permit, to the payment of a dividend at a rate not exceedingten per cent per annum for any period for which no disposal of profits wasmade.(2) When the liquidation of a society has been closed and any creditor ofthat society has not claimed or received what is due to him under thescheme ofdistribution, notice of the closing of the liquidation shall bepublished in the Gazette; and, all claims against the funds of the societyliquidated shall be proscribed when two years have elapsed from the dateof the publication of the Gazette notice.(3) Any surplus remaining after the application of the funds to thepurposes specified in subsection (1) and the payment of any claims forwhich an action is instituted under subsection (2) shall be available foruse by the Registrar for any co-operative purpose at his discretion.

PART VIII SURCHARGE AND ATTACHMENT

47. Power of Registrar to surcharge officers, etc., of a registeredsociety (1) Where, in the course of the winding up of a registered societyit appears that any person who has taken part in the organization ormanagement of such society or any past or present officer of the societyhasmisapplied or retained or become liable or accountable for any moneyor property of such society or has been guilty of misfeasance or breach oftrust inrelation to such society, the Registrar may, on the applicationof the liquidator or of any creditor or contributory, examine into theconduct of such person and make an order requiring him to repay or restorethe money or property or any part thereof with interest at such rate asthe Registrar thinks just or to contribute such sum to the assets of suchsociety by way of compensation in regard to the misapplication, retainer,dishonesty or breach oftrust as the Registrar thinks fit.(2) Thissection shall apply notwithstanding that the act is one for which theoffender may be criminally responsible.48. Appeal to GovernorAny person aggrieved by any order of the Registrar made under section 47may appeal to the Governor within twenty-one days fromthe date of suchorder and the decision of the Governor shall be final and conclusive.

PART IX DISPUTES

49. Settlement of disputes(1) If any dispute touching the business of a registered society arises--(a) among members, past members and persons claiming through members, pastmembers and deceased members; or(b) between a member, past member, or person claiming through a member,past member or deceased member, and the society, its committee, or anyofficer of the society; or(c) between the society or its committee andany officer or the society; or(d) between the society and any otherregistered society;such dispute shall be referred to the Registrar for decision. A claim by aregistered society forany debt or demand due to it from a member, pastmember or the nominee, heir or legal representative of a deceased member,shall be deemed to be a dispute touching the business of the societywithin the meaning of this subsection.(2) The Registrar may, on receipt of a reference under subsection (1)--(a)decide the dispute himself; or(b) refer it for disposal to an arbitrator or arbitrators.(3) Any party aggrieved by the award of the arbitrator or arbitrators mayappeal therefrom to the Registrar within one month after the award isgiven by lodging notice in writing with the Registrar. (Amended 21 of 1976s. 5)(4) A decision of the Registrar under subsection (2) or in appeal undersubsection (3) shall be final and shall not be called in question in anycivil court.(5) The award of the arbitrator or arbitrators undersubsection (2) shall, if no appeal is preferred to the Registrar undersubsection (3), or if any such appeal is abandoned or withdrawn, be finaland shall not be called in question in any civil court and shall beenforced in the same manner as if the award had been a judgment of a civilcourt.50. Case stated on question of law(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in section49, the Registrar at anytime when proceeding to a decision under this Ordinance, or the Governorat any time when an appeal has been preferred to him against any decisionof the Registrar under this Ordinance, may refer any question of lawarising out of such decision for the ruling of the court.(2) Such judge or judges as the Chief Justice may direct, may consider anddetermine any question of law so referred and the ruling given on suchquestion shall be final and conclusive.

PART X RULES

51. Rules(1) The Governor in Council may make all such rules as may be necessaryfor the purpose of carrying out or giving effect to the principles andprovisions of this Ordinance.(2) In particular, and without prejudice tothe generality of the power conferred by subsection (1), such rulesmayprovide for--(a) forms to be used and the conditions to be complied with in applyingfor the registration of a society and the procedure in the matter of suchapplications;(b) conditions to be complied with by persons applying foradmission or admitted as members, election and admission of members fromtime to time, and the payment to be made and interest to be acquiredbefore exercising rights of membership;(c) subject to the provisions of section 27, the maximum number of sharesor portion of the capital of a registered society which may be held by amember;(d) the extent to which a registered society may limit the number of itsmembers;(e) withdrawal and expulsion of members and payments to be madeto members who withdraw or are expelled,and the liabilities of pastmembers;(f) general meetings of the members and for the procedure at such meetingsand the powers to be exercised by such meetings;(g) appointment, suspension and removal of the members of the committeeand other officers, and the procedure at meetings of the committee,andthe powers to be exercised and the duties to be performed by the committeeand other officers;(h) matters in respect of which a society may or shall make by-laws andthe procedure to be followed in making, altering and rescinding by-laws,and the conditions to be satisfied prior to such making, alteration orrescission;(i) the manner in which funds may be raised by means of shares ordebentures or otherwise;(j) conditions to be observed by a registered society applying forfinancial assistance from government;(k) the payment to be made, the conditions to be complied with and theforms of the bonds, instruments or other documents to be executed bymembers applying for loans or cash credits, the period for which loans maybe made or credits granted, and the maximum amount which may be lent andthe maximum credit which may be allowed to individual members with orwithout the consent of the Registrar;(l) the mode