Page:Societies Ordinance, 1949 (Cap. 151).pdf/3

156

or group of a political nature established outside the Colony, he shall refuse to register it and where it appears to him that any local society is likely to be used for unlawful purposes or for any purpose prejudicial to or incompatible with peace, welfare or good order in the Colony, he shall refuse to register it.

(4) Where the Registrar agrees to register a local society under this Ordinance, he shall forthwith enter or cause to be entered in a register kept for the purpose the particulars given in the application form and the date of his order directing registration. The register may be searched and examined by any person during the usual office hours on application made to the Registrar or to an Assistant Registrar.

(5) The Registrar may, in his discretion, rescind at any time any exemption granted by him under sub-section (2) of this section if he is satisfied that it is expedient so to do on the ground that the society concerned is affiliated or connected with any organisation or group of a political nature established outside the Colony or on the ground that such society is likely to be used for unlawful purposes or for any purpose prejudicial to or incompatible with peace, welfare or good order in the Colony.

Any such rescission shall be notified in the manner provided by sub-section (2) of section 16 of this Ordinance: Provided that, notwithstanding section 9 of this Ordinance, the society concerned shall not be deemed to be an unlawful society until thirty days have elapsed from the date of the notification and such society has failed to obtain registration under this Ordinance within that period.

(6) The Registrar may, in his discretion, cancel at any time, the registration of any society effected under sub-section (4) of this section if he is satisfied that it is expedient so to do on any of the grounds mentioned in the preceding sub-section:

Provided that, prior to cancelling any registration, the Registrar shall notify his intention to one or more of the office-bearers of the society concerned and shall give him or them an opportunity to submit reasons (if any) why the registration should not be cancelled.

The cancellation of a registration shall be notified in the manner provided by sub-section (2) of section 16 of this Ordinance and shall take effect on the day of such notification.

(7) Any office-bearer or member of a local society who is aggrieved by the Registrar’s refusal to register such society, or by his decision to rescind the exemption from registration granted to such society or to cancel the registration thereof, may appeal against such refusal or decision to the Governor in Council whose decision shall be final.

6. (1) If the Registrar has reason to believe that any registered or exempted society has ceased to exist, he may publish in the Gazette a notification calling upon such society to furnish him with proof of its existence within three months from the date of such notification.