Obtaining moneys fraudulently

(1) If any officer, member or other persons being or representing himself to be a member of a friendly society or the nominee, executor, administrator or assignee of any member, or any other person whatever shall in or by any false representation, obtain possession of any moneys, securities, books, papers or other effects of the friendly society, or having them in his possession, shall withhold or misapply them, a magistrate may, upon the complaint of any trustee, secretary or clerk, hear and determine the matter of such complaint in a summary way. (2) Upon due proof of such fraud, the magistrate may convict the said party, and award double the amount of the money so obtained or withheld to be paid to the treasurer to be applied by him to the purposes of the friendly society and order the said securities, books, papers or other effects to be delivered to the friendly society together with such costs as shall be awarded by the court, and any such order shall and 17 may be enforced in the like manner as any fine or penalty awarded against any defendant, Provided that nothing herein contained shall prevent the friendly society from proceeding by information or complaint if a previous conviction for the same offence has been obtained under this Act.