146.—(1) If a petition presented under section 142 shows, and the Court is satisfied—

(a) that, by reason of exceptional circumstances outside the control of the petitioner, the report of the independent accountant is not available in time to accompany the petition, and

(b) that the petitioner could not reasonably have anticipated the circumstances referred to in paragraph (a),

and, accordingly, the Court is unable to consider the making of an order under that section, the Court may make an order under this section placing the credit union under the protection of the Court for such period, not exceeding ten days, as the Court thinks appropriate in order to allow for the submission of the independent accountant's report.

(2) Where an order is made under this section it shall be the duty of the directors of the credit union to provide all reasonable assistance in the preparation of the report of the independent accountant and, in particular, to furnish the information specified in paragraphs (a) to (c) of subsection (1) of section 145.

(3) Any person who fails to comply with subsection (2) shall be guilty of an offence.

(4) If the report of the independent accountant is submitted to the Court before the expiry of the period of protection ordered under subsection (1), the Court shall proceed to consider the petition together with the report as if they were presented in accordance with section 143(1).

(5) If the report of the independent accountant is not submitted to the Court before the expiry of the period of protection ordered under subsection (1), then, at the expiry of that period, the credit union shall cease to be under the protection of the Court, but without prejudice to the presentation of a further petition under section 142.