For the purchase by a single payment of an annuity of not less than £l, payable half-yearly, the condition of such purchase being that no part of the purchase money shall in any event be returnable. 3. For the purchase by an annual pay ment throughout a term of years of an annuity of not less than £4, payable half-yearly, the condition attached being the same as in number two. 4. For the purchase by a single payment, or by an annual payment for a term of years of an annuity of not less than £4, payable half-yearly, the condition of such purchase being that if the proprietor shall die before the annuity becomes due, the purchase money shall be returned to his repre sentatives. No proposal will be re ceived from or on behalf of any person under the age of ten years. Annuities granted under the Act are not assign able, except in the case of the bank ruptcy of an individual proprietor, when the same shall “ become the “ property of his trustee for the benefit

.« or bis creditors.” In this case it; is enacted tbafr r ’the Commissioner shall zeparohase the annuity according to its proper value. Persons who hare con* tracted for the payment of a certain sum at death may commute this into an an nuity payable after death to nominees, and it is also provided that persons who are unable to keep up annual payments may have an annuity granted in lieu of receiving back what they have already paid. A deferred may be converted into an immediate an nuity. Those who make proposals for the insurance of lives, or for an nuities, must provide certificates of birth, baptism, or other evidence of age, at their own expense, but will not be required to pay any fee for medical examination. In the case of annuities, the Commissioner is em powered to charge a fee of one shilling for every pound of annuity purchased, if he should think fit to do so. Life annuities are free from taxes of every description. In case any dispute should arise between the Commissioner and any person who has contracted for any annuity or payment, the matter “ shall “ be referred to the arbitration of two “ indifferent persons,” each party to the dispute choosing one. 